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Thread: Broadway Market Shake-Up

  1. #1
    Unregistered Enough's Avatar
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    Broadway Market Shake-Up

    http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregio...ry/385461.html

    Mayor Brown mulls support for Franczyk’s Broadway Market shakeup plan

    By Brian Meyer
    Updated: 07/05/08 8:02 AM

    Mayor Byron W. Brown might support a management shake-up at the Broadway Market if he concludes the action would shore up the future of the city-owned facility.

    Brown told The Buffalo News he discussed the market’s problems with Common Council President David A. Franczyk, who has been lobbying for a management overhaul.

    “I think it’s something we definitely have to consider,” said Brown.

    Meanwhile, the people who run the 120-year-old East Side retail icon insist the problem isn’t inept management — but lack of adequate city funding.

    “The Broadway Market cannot survive without monetary support,” the president of the market’s board of directors told the Common Council in a July 1 letter.

    James Malczewski pressed the city to make good on an unfilled 1999 pledge to sell a $1 million bond.

    Board members said the money would be used for long-overdue improvements that might include upgrades to the air conditioning system, better signs and other work that would make the market more viable.

    Malczewski, a market vendor, expressed fears that Franczyk’s plan to create a task force that would explore strategies to strengthen the market might be a precursor by the Council President to replace the current board with “his own political appointees.”

    “Any task force appointment must be neutral without political axes to grind,” said Malczewski, who added that under Franczyk’s plan, the council president would alone decide who should sit on the study panel.

    Last month, market managers acknowledged that vacancy rates dipped to their lowest levels in at least eight years, with about 40 percent of its space empty.

    Still, the market has been operating in the black for about two years, and Executive Director Richard M. Fronczak disputed claims that the market could be in danger of shutting down by as early as next spring.

    Fronczak called a reporter Thursday to note that business was relatively brisk. It’s not only during the Easter season that shoppers patronize the market, Fronczak said, noting some vendors saw a spike in business right before Independence Day.

    The market’s lease with the city expired last week, and the council president thinks a renegotiated agreement should hinge on seeing changes that would pave the way for a “radical reimagining” of the facility. Under the expired lease, the city was responsible for all major capital improvements and also paid half of the market’s utility costs.

    In his letter, Malczewski politely told city lawmakers they should butt out of bargaining.

    “The Common Council should not force itself into the city/market lease negotiations,” he told lawmakers. “Lease negotiations are always sensitive under the best of circumstances. Placing the negotiations into the media almost ensures the negotiations not succeeding.”

    bmeyer@buffnews.com
    Anyone familiar with the current conditions and economic health of the Market? I haven't been there in years.

    Just by reading the story, I get the gut feeling that any government entity should stay out of private enterprise (which I'd believe the Market is). When I read phrases should as "lack of adequate city funding" and "sell a $1 million bond" and "plan to create a task force" I feel like this place is doomed!

    I understand the "history" but why is it important for more tax dollars to be used to support something that should be considered a private enterprise?

  2. #2
    Member winfield31's Avatar
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    The Broadway Market is in a sad state of affairs mostly due to mis-management.........they usually bring in politically connected hacks who aren't up to it to manage these shops . Plus the place has such GREAT potential , it's sad as it could return to its' former glory , but the vendors HAVE to care also , I don't believe they do , they want hand-outs from the gov't , they open late & close early , they refuse to promote themselves , they know Christmas & Easter weeks they do approx. 50% of their yearly sales , so they "skate" the rest of the time...........many problems , but still with right people in place , could come back..........I mean the population base/buyers are right there in the neighborhood , parking , etc.
    Nothing gold can stay...............

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  3. #3
    Member Save Us's Avatar
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    Yeah, that's it! If Franzcyk is involved it's gotta be necessary. He is essentially worthless.

    Government IS the problem, they should really stay out of it!

  4. #4
    Member blockclubof1's Avatar
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    Richard M. Fronczak, the market's manager, should be arrested for smoking in the market offices. I've been there...the place stinks! He should smoke outside like everybody else.
    In answer to Winfield, if the market manager Fronczak was doing his job, the vendors wouldn't be leaving early and you would have some better vendors. For example, the market recently lost its bank tennant and replaced it with a check cashing operation! Fronczak blames the neighborhood for keeping customers away from the market, yet look at all the successful events that have been held at Central Terminal. Overflow crowds participating until late into the evening.
    Common Council President David A. Franczyk, one of the smartest of our elected city government, recognized that the market needs a change of management and is DOING SOMETHING about it. Change is occuring as we speak.

  5. #5
    Unregistered Enough's Avatar
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    Does the City own the Market like the article sounds and is this, "Executive Director Richard M. Fronczak" some type of politcal appointee?

    Who appointed him??

    How is he "connected"?

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    To keep the Market afloat without constant pouring of city/state funding into it
    #1) Expand hours including Sundays the day that the most people from the old neighborhood are in the neighborhood..attending church
    #2) Continue with what the newer board members were trying to do and proved to be successful..
    The Christmas Fair did very well and several other ideas such as bringing vendors out to different buildings during lunchtime( Both events sold out of everything food wise) very successful
    #3)Bring some of the Market outdoors during the summer.
    #4) coupons, sales etc as everyone is looking for ways to save money..perhaps a shuttle from UBs South Campus on Saturdays
    #5)more diversity ..we need every ethnic group represented.
    WNY's link to the latest deals,printable coupons AND money saving tips!
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  7. #7
    Member leftWNYbecauseofBS's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michele J
    To keep the Market afloat without constant pouring of city/state funding into it
    #1) Expand hours including Sundays the day that the most people from the old neighborhood are in the neighborhood..attending church
    #2) Continue with what the newer board members were trying to do and proved to be successful..
    The Christmas Fair did very well and several other ideas such as bringing vendors out to different buildings during lunchtime( Both events sold out of everything food wise) very successful
    #3)Bring some of the Market outdoors during the summer.
    #4) coupons, sales etc as everyone is looking for ways to save money..perhaps a shuttle from UBs South Campus on Saturdays
    #5)more diversity ..we need every ethnic group represented.

    How about a concert/farmers market on Sunday from 4-dark. Local bands and a good mix of music.

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    Demonstrations by vendors...
    http://www.buffaloreuse.org/~kool aid free zone~

  9. #9
    Member CSense's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Enough
    Does the City own the Market like the article sounds and is this, "Executive Director Richard M. Fronczak" some type of politcal appointee?

    Who appointed him??

    How is he "connected"?
    The city

  10. #10
    Member CSense's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Enough
    Does the City own the Market like the article sounds and is this, "Executive Director Richard M. Fronczak" some type of politcal appointee?

    Who appointed him??

    How is he "connected"?
    The city owns the building not the market. The market is run by a not-for profit.

    Fronczak is a board appointee.

    The board is made up of political appointees.

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    The market board systematically got rid of Chris Byrd, Father Anzelm, Brian Mahoney and Marty Biniasz, basically the ones who had new ideas and were willing to follow up on them.
    “Never doubt that the work of a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

  12. #12
    Unregistered Enough's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CSense
    The city owns the building not the market. The market is run by a not-for profit.

    Fronczak is a board appointee.

    The board is made up of political appointees.
    Thanks CSencse!

  13. #13
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Miller
    The market board systematically got rid of Chris Byrd, Father Anzelm, Brian Mahoney and Marty Biniasz, basically the ones who had new ideas and were willing to follow up on them.
    Why do you believe they wanted them removed?

  14. #14
    Member winfield31's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WNYresident
    Why do you believe they wanted them removed?
    because what Mike Miller posted :
    Originally Posted by Mike Miller
    The market board systematically got rid of Chris Byrd, Father Anzelm, Brian Mahoney and Marty Biniasz, basically the ones who had new ideas and were willing to follow up on them........."they" were not "kiss-a$$es" to the politicos..........they were independent thinkers , they thought "outside the box" , they were good for the neighborhood , do you agree Mike ?
    Nothing gold can stay...............

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    ........."they" were not "kiss-a$$es" to the politicos..........they were independent thinkers , they thought "outside the box" , they were good for the neighborhood , do you agree Mike ?
    I don't know if I agree totally about the kiss-ass part, because I think there are a few existing board members who are actually trying to change the mindset there, but I agree totally about the independent thinker part. The market needs to go international and invite the African American, Latino, Vietnamese and Muslim communities that surround it to join. Some on the board are not seeming to want the old Polish heritage of the market to change.
    “Never doubt that the work of a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

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