The mothballed Memorial Auditorium would be reborn as a regional retail and entertainment destination as early as November 2003, with a gigantic sports shop as its centerpiece, if the vision of the project's expected new developer becomes reality. The Bos Group, a Maryland-based development partnership led by Buffalo native Mark A. Lichtman, has drawn up a blueprint for redeveloping the Aud and is expected to get a one-year contract as the developer Friday. Though smaller retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues are part of the plan, the key to the project is landing a 140,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store. Bass Pro stores are to the retail world what Disney World is to the amusement park industry, with a typical store attracting about 2 million visitors a year and drawing from a four- to six-state area. The privately owned retail chain had nearly 28 million visitors at the 14 stores it operated in 2001. The company's 400,000-square-foot flagship store in Springfield, Mo., attracts more than 4 million visitors annually, making it one of that state's top tourist destinations. "We're a lot more than just a sporting goods store," said Bass Pro spokesman Larry Whitely. "There's a recent retail term, "shopper-tainment.' That's what we've been offering for 20 years." The expected choice of Lichtman's group as designated developer for the Buffalo project has everything to do with his track record in delivering Bass Pro stores, according to Mayor Anthony M. Masiello. "Mark Lichtman has done deals with Bass Pro in the past and knows what it's going to take to get them here to Buffalo," the mayor said. "We're impressed with his resume in regards to Bass Pro and retail development in general." The veteran retail developer initiated the national expansion of Bass Pro Shops, completing nine of the 14 store deals the retailer has done. Lichtman also has raised $150 million in public and private financing to complete the Bass Pro Outdoor World stores.

Above: The Famous Aud.

Lichtman's ties highlighted

Local development officials have been casting a line toward Bass Pro Shops for nearly two years, getting nibbles of interest, but no firm commitment. With Lichtman as the lure, they believe they will increase their chances of landing the prize catch. In its proposal, the Bos Group highlights Lichtman's ties to Bass Pro and the man behind the hugely successful venture. "Mark has a long-standing relationship with Johnny Morris, (founder) of Bass Pro Shops, and felt that this relationship would be beneficial to the city. Mark's personal relationship with the founder and president uniquely positions the Bos Group to be able to execute a deal for Buffalo," the development proposal states. "The Bos Group's vision is to create a retail, dining and entertainment destination that will energize downtown and act as the vehicle for additional commercial, office and residential development," Lichtman and his partner, Phillip Kroskin, stated in their proposal. Because Buffalo is his hometown, Lichtman also noted, he has a good feel for what will work on the city's waterfront. Lichtman is the son of Gary Pontiac founder Gary Lichtman. "For him, the Aud represents a place of pride and identification with Buffalo's rich history," the proposal states. "To be a part of remaking that history is a unique opportunity for Mark and the Bos Group. As such, we are fully prepared to commit all of our talents and resources to ensure the project's success." To that end, Development Downtown, the panel leading downtown waterfront development efforts, is expected to assign Lichtman and his company "designated developer status" when it meets Friday. The Bos Group's involvement will expedite the project, said Alan DeLisle, Downtown Development president. "In the Bos Group, we get someone with a proven track record in development who understands Bass Pro and understands Buffalo. I feel we've found the right developer for the job," DeLisle said. County Executive Joel A. Giambra also is upbeat about making Lichtman and his staff a part of the project. "I think the probability of getting Bass Pro goes up exponentially with them in the picture. We all want to succeed down there because of all the positive things that will come out of having a dynamic, exciting downtown and waterfront," Giambra said.

Above: A Bass Pro store in Charlotte, NC.

In-store cafes included

Under the proposed one-year agreement, the designated developer would have six months to deliver a preliminary development plan and a feasibility study, which would include such key items as preliminary architectural plans, engineering and environmental studies, cost estimates and a potential tenant list. Lichtman already has come up with an outline of the tenant mix he envisions for the Aud and an adjacent retail/entertainment complex to be built where the Gen. William Donovan State Office Building now stands. The list includes: sellers of books and music (Borders, Barnes & Noble or Virgin), electronics/computer retailers (Apple, Stereo Advantage), dining (Famous Dave's, Maggiano's), apparel stores (Talbots, Ann Taylor, Nike, Abercrombie, J. Crew or Lands' End), and an assortment of entertainment venues such as a movie theater, bowling alley, interactive games, billiards or comedy club. The Bos Group would be expected to have a letter of intent from Bass Pro, or a comparable tenant, to make the project a go. "The goal is to get Bass Pro signed," said DeLisle. "While it's possible there's another retailer out there that would have the same impact and be a regional draw, we want Bass Pro." Bass Pro stores are chock-full of fishing, hunting, camping and boating gear served up in rustic, Adirondack-style surroundings, including huge, natural stone fireplaces and gigantic log beams and posts. Visitors are greeted by a multitude of hands-on activities, from archery and gun ranges to putting greens and laser arcades. In-store cafes also are among the amenities. Outdoor skills seminars and workshops are another huge draw, with nationally renowned experts and sports celebrities giving demonstrations and lectures. The proximity of the former sports arena to Erie Canal Harbor is expected to open the door to waterside boat displays and on-water demonstrations if Bass Pro comes to town. The company opened its 15th store, located in Memphis, Tenn., three weeks ago, and has committed to three more outlets with 2003 opening dates. Bass Pro currently has no stores in the Northeast, with the closest store to Buffalo located in suburban Detroit.

Some funding identified

The second phase of development would concentrate on property acquisition, finalizing various public fund commitments and any legislative changes required to release public funds. "If all goes well, construction could start next June. We feel that's more than possible," DeLisle said. If approved by Downtown Development as anticipated, the Bos Group will play a role that was once destined to go to another Maryland developer, the Cordish Co. That nationally recognized development firm, specializing in entertainment-driven urban revitalization projects, was introduced in 1999 as part of a "dream team" that would bring the downtown waterfront back to life. Cordish was to be joined by Adelphia Communications and Buffalo's Benderson Development to bring a variety of retail, entertainment, recreational, housing and office developments to the area that the city calls the Erie Canal Harbor Urban Entertainment District. Cordish and local planners parted ways in February, leading to the search for a new designated developer. Meanwhile, Adelphia's deepening financial woes have put construction of a waterfront operations center on the shelf. Those two setbacks notwithstanding, planning for the Intermodal Transportation Center, to be located on the north side of the Aud, as well as a parking structure to the west, is well under way. And state, city and county officials are close to a memorandum of understanding on physical changes to the waterfront itself to accentuate its history and create public access. On the financial side, $48.2 million of an estimated $75 million in public funds has been identified to pay for the infrastructure improvements. No public-private breakdown of the approximately $60 million in retail-related costs at the Aud has yet been done.