A lease dispute between Buffalo's Broadway Market management and city hall is taking a new twist. The Broadway Market's executive director Richard Fronczak says the market's largest tenant, Save-a-Lot, is now refusing to pay their monthly rent of more than $9,000 and instead the grocery store owners will put that money into an escrow account until the dispute with the city is resolved.
"I guess they're concerned and they want to put some pressure on the city to come to the table and not only negotiate the lease we're waiting for for Buffalo Check Cashing but also the main master lease for all the tenants in market," says Fronczak.
Officials from Save-a-Lot declined to comment Saturday.
The Broadway Market has had some difficulty since their lease with the city of Buffalo expired in June. They recently increased rents for tenants to make up for a shortfall caused by Key Bank moving out. Market managers want Buffalo Check Cashing to move into the old Key Bank spot, but they need a lease with the city first. Some city leaders say they want a change in management before they'll agree to a new contract.
"Several years ago the Broadway Market didn't have a lease from 1992-1998 so it looks like it may be a tough situation to renegotiate that lease," says Fronczak.
Twitter
Facebook