Slip-Holders Erie Basin Marina
329 Erie Street
Buffalo, NY 14201
7/28/2008
To:
Mayor Byron B Brown
Brandon Services
Copy:
City Council Members
Dear Sir,
We the Slip-Holders of Erie Basin Marina have concerns with
the environment that has been developing over the last year
at our Marina. Although we welcome the public to visit our
beautiful downtown area and assist in it's economic
development. We as the Primary Tenants feel our concerns
should be voiced and addressed by Brandon Services and the
City of Buffalo.
Over the last year we have had enough incidents and issues
that we feel that our personal safety, protection of our
personal property, and the quality of our stays at our boats
is in jeopardy. I have listed just a few below:
Last year an incident where we had teenagers jumping on
someone's personal boat resulted in an attempted
stabbing when Marina management, security and slip-holders
attempted to restrain them. This could have resulted in a
very serious incident.
Recent larcenies of personal property from cars in the parking lot,
boats and the dock (beyond the chained entrances). Recent drug
overdose in the parking lot. Homeless folks going through garbage
cans and dumpsters. Teenagers roaming the Marina after dark and
attempting to enter the Marina way after the hours that it is open
to the public.
The "Slip-Holders Parking" continually being
parked in by Non-Slip-Holders.
A person received a ticket for parking in the
"Slip-holders Parking" then became violent and
began throwing Marina personal property about
A man was found inside of a Slip-Holders vehicle early one
morning
All these issues involved the Public not the Slip-holders!
The Marina is a large area and we realize that Brandon
Services can only provide so much security and that they do.
As a pro-active approach to improving the declining
environment at the Marina I propose the following:
Heightened professional security that consistently polices
the grounds to pro-actively eliminate the trend of incidents
and issues noted above. Security needs to have clear
expectations and procedures that they consistently follow
and enforce and are held accountable for.
The Marina needs to be closed at 9p to the public. The
Marina needs to be cleared consistently every night by no
later than 10p. Violators who are found in the Marina after
hours without permission need to be prosecuted. No
exceptions!
Each dock need to be secured by a fenced gates with a key
lock that only Slip-holders and invited guests can enter
As I noted in my opening paragraph we the Slip-Holders are
the Primary Tenants! I feel that decisions have been made
by the City of Buffalo concerning the Marina with only one
focus, to promote our beautiful downtown and waterfront. I
can't argue that this isn't good, but I can argue
that doing this without our involvement and protecting our
interests will have grave long-term consequences.
I am willing to be a point of contact to assure
representation of the Erie Basin Marina Slip-Holders in all
future development and decision making. Please advise as to
the next steps.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
John E Dailey
