By JAMES FINK
Business First

In what some are viewing as a controversial move, the soon-to-be displaced Broadway Market management team will be auctioning off assets including signs, decorations and some equipment from the historic East Side venue.

The auction has been set for 10 a.m. Oct. 30 at the market, 999 Broadway. The auction is being conducted one day before the Broadway Market Management Corp. is being removed from operating and maintaining the facility.

"They should go out with some dignity," said Buffalo Common Council President David Franczyk, whose Fillmore District includes the market. "This is not the best way for them to go out."

The BMMC did not respond to a request for comment about the auction.

Buffalo Corporation Counsel Alisa Lukasiewicz said the city continues talksabout the auction with the corporation.

"Our concern is, there are some items in dispute, such as permanent fixtures, that are part of the market," she said. "These fixtures were paid for with federal grants or government funds."

The organization, which has been criticized in recent years by both city leaders and some tenants, is being replaced by a temporary 17-member advisory board. Buffalo will issue a request for proposals this fall, and city officials hope to have a new management team in place by early 2009.

The market has been losing customers and tenants for a number of years. Various promotional efforts have failed.

Cash Realty & Auctions has been retained to handle the auction.

"Everything from the historic Broadway Market signs to the Easter Bunny hut will be sold," said owner Cash Cunningham.