New York – NYC’s Mayor Bloomberg to Buffalo: I’m Sorry

New York – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg allowed an apology to slip past his lips and into the ear of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown Wednesday evening.

Hours after making a disparaging remark about Buffalo to a room filled with developers in the Big Apple, Bloomberg got on the phone and called Brown to say he was sorry.

When asked if he was still “pissed off” at Bloomberg — the phrase he used Wednesday — Brown softened his reaction and said he remains “disappointed.”

Bloomberg had told developers at a forum on housing and neighborhood development his city faces the problems of success because of a lack of space to build more roads, housing and classrooms.

He then went on to bash Buffalo, saying there was plenty of available space here, but he doubted anyone would want to come here.

“Mayor Brown, this Mike Bloomberg …,” Brown said in recalling the conversation. “He apologized and did the right thing.”

“It was a cordial conversation. I told him it was a cheap shot. I thought it was very damaging and that someone as well respected as him and whose name is attached to an international media company should not be saying that,” Brown said.

“He said, “I should get up there and see for myself,'” Brown said, adding that he suggested Bloomberg bring with him a group of developers to see the city’s architecture and other real estate.

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