Congel 'Humbled and Thankful' for Vote; Central NY Pyramid Companies 'Hopped on Carousel and Grabbed $900 Million Brass Ring'.

Business Editors

SYRACUSE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2001

The founder and President of the Pyramid Companies this afternoon said he was "humbled and thankful" for the vote of the Onondaga County Legislature supporting a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangement allowing him to fulfill his dream--expansion of the existing Carousel Center to create the biggest shopping mall/tourist attraction in the United States.

"I'm grateful and honored by the confidence my community has shown in me, my company and this project," said Bob Congel, 65, who began his career as a ditch digger in Syracuse.

"Thanks to the courage of these Legislators and Common Council members, and to the hard work and support we've received from our allies and supporters, Central New York has reached a turning point. We've hopped on the Carousel, and grabbed a $900 million brass ring."

Congel expressed thanks not only to the Legislators and Syracuse City Council members who supported his proposal, but to those who didn't, as well. "Over the past year of negotiations and discussions, I've learned to like and respect every one of these individuals, and I've become very fond of them," Congel said.

He expressed special thanks for the support the project received from U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton; U.S. Representative James Walsh; NY State Comptroller H. Carl McCall; NY State Senator Nancy Lorraine Hoffman; NY State Assemblymen Michael Bragman, Hal Brown and William Magnarelli; NY Assemblywoman Joan Christenson; County Executive Nick Pirro; Syracuse Mayor Roy Bernardi; City Auditor Minch Lewis; the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce; Jan Quitzau of the Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Greater Syracuse Hospitality and Tourism Association; the Home Builders Association of Central New York; the Central New York Board of Realtors; the Syracuse Executives Association; Syracuse 20-20; United Auto Workers Local 624; Local Unions representing Operating Engineers, Electricians, Roofers, Cement Workers and Plasterers, Plumbers, Iron Workers, Communication Workers, Sheetmetal Workers, Carpenters, Painters, Steelworkers, UAW Local 2149, Transit Workers, and Sheriffs; Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.; the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; the Alliance Network; and Tim Green.