The sorry state of the American side (commerce)

[Eileen]

So, we had an awesome visit to the Falls last weekend. We stayed at the Sheraton and had a room on the 21st floor overlooking both falls, the skylon and the ferris wheel. It was an amazing view! I took a few panorama's from the room of the entire view that came out pretty well. I also got a few decent shots from Clifton HIll. What I am finding most interesting though are the emails and letters we have gotten from the hotel and casino thanking us for staying, welcoming us to come back again, and even sending us coupons for discounts off our stay and a free buffet. Granted, they made a few bucks off of us at the casino but, I don't recall ever getting a thank you note for staying from a NY hotel! Looking forward to our next visit!!

[Matt]

FALLS: Official formation of USA Niagara Development Corp.

NIAGARA FALLS — Former Gov. George Pataki signaled the beginning of a “new chapter” in the history of Niagara Falls in January of 2001 — the formation of USA Niagara Development Corp.

The division of the state economic development department was formed with the express purpose of bringing a “brighter and stronger” future to the city’s downtown business district.

In theory, [e]the new organization was supposed to create the same sort of public-private sector partnerships that had helped the state revitalize Times Square in New York City.[/e]

In practice, Pataki’s big promise has been slow to materialize.

Or at least slower to materialize than many residents and business owners in Niagara Falls had hoped.

“We’re not trying to criticize or attack,” said Dan Vecchies, one Third Street developer who has expressed frustration about a lack of progress downtown. “We’re asking for accountability. They haven’t done what they set out to do.”

The agency’s current president, Christopher Schoepflin, insists USA Niagara has done a lot in its eight years on the job. He believes critics have ignored progress that has already been made. He notes the agency has endured some significant challenges — the aftermath of 9/11, the abrupt departure of Pataki’s successor, Eliot Spitzer and the current economic crisis to name a few. He also said his team does not operate in a vacuum and other partners, including the city and its private investors, all play crucial roles in the success of the downtown business district.

“I would take the position that given the amount of resources that we have and have invested, we have made significant progress amid a number of challenges,” said Schoepflin, who has led USA Niagara since 2003. “I can’t speak to going all the way back to day one other than to say we had a marketplace that had suffered from decades of disinvestment and decline. Not only have we stemmed that to a certain degree, but I think, in some cases, we have reversed it.”

As proof, Schoepflin points to the positives. The reconstruction of the East Pedestrian Mall. A $34 million renovation at the nearby Crowne Plaza. The transformation of the Old Falls Street Faire into a $20-million downtown conference center. The ongoing revitalization of the United Office Building.[e]Plans to raze the Wintergarden and clear the way for a new connection between Old Falls Street and Niagara Falls State Park.[/e]

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte believes Pataki’s promise has fallen short but that’s at least partly because the state has failed to provide enough attention and resources for USA Niagara’s mission. For that reason, she said it’s tough to fairly review the agency’s effectiveness.

“I’ve heard of people who are very supportive of USA Niagara’s efforts and I’ve heard from people who think it’s not fulfilling its mission,” DelMonte said. “Somewhere in the middle is the truth.”

One of USA Niagara’s first official moves as an agency was to hire a private consultant to analyze downtown and determine the best course of action.

The state paid Hunter Interests, a Maryland-based urban economics and real estate firm, to assist in the development of a revitalization blueprint for the agency’s 192-acre coverage area. Working with Cannon Design, Inc. of Grand Island and Parsons Brinkerhoff of Buffalo, the consultant created the USA Niagara Development Strategy. If the steps in the 114-page document were ever fully executed, the consultants’ theorized the city could attract between 4.4 and 8.8 million new visitors per year and generate as much as $437.5 million in new spending annually.

The blueprint includes 26 “strategic links” — projects deemed “financially feasible and economically sustainable” under the right development circumstances. A review of those recommendations shows successes and failures.

[e]The positives:[/e] Downtown does have a casino and an attached hotel thanks to the Seneca Nation. The state did convert Falls Street Faire into a conference center. The old Holiday Inn Select on Third Street is now a modernized Crowne Plaza. There’s a Starbucks on Old Falls Street. Restorations continue at the United Office Building.

[e]On the down side[/e], the city’s downtown area doesn’t have the foot traffic or the nightlife many originally expected. The Niagara Aerospace Museum opened but has since closed and been moved to Buffalo. The Turtle building is still empty. The proposed Niagara Experience Center remains on the drawing board. The Rainbow Mall is still closed. Third Street — a marquee renovation project supported in part by a $3 million investment from the state — remains home to empty buildings and a handful of committed business owners struggling to survive.

The plan encouraged USA Niagara to set a goal of achieving one major announcement every 60 days. Each year, the agency was also expected to calculate the actual economic and fiscal impacts of finished projects and compare them with projections contained in the report. The state and the city were supposed to create an “aggressive business recruitment strategy” for downtown.

Surveying downtown, Vecchies asks a simple question: “Where’s Times Square?”

Weber says he’s past being disappointed by the state’s lofty development promises. He’s outraged.

Schoepflin said it took at least 15 years to revive Times Square. He’s confident downtown Niagara Falls will come back in time as well.

“The remaking of this city is never going to be fast enough for anybody and it’s going to require a lot of patience and hard work and dollars,” Schoepflin said. “It is happening and it’s going to continue to happen.”

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/lo ... 35903.html


Here's an outline of the plan

USA NIAGARA: A look at the strategic plan

Staff Reports
Niagara Gazette
Plan of Action

An overview of the key areas of development listed in USA Niagara’s 2002 strategic plan:

1. Niagara Aerospace Museum: Opened in Seneca Office Building in 2002. Moved out of Falls and to Buffalo last year.

2. The United Office Building Restoration: Now known as The Giacomo, $10 million renovation project continues.

3. Key cultural attractions/Niagara Experience Center: $100 million plan still on radar.

4. Falls Street Faire reuse as Niagara Falls conference center: $20 million renovation complete. Facility opened in 2004.

5. The Turtle site: Owned by Niagara Falls Redevelopment. No announced plans for reuse.

6. Rainbow Mall reuse: Leased from city by Baltimore developer, Cordish Corp. No announced plans for reuse.

7. Wintergarden renovations: Slated for demolition as part of West Pedestrian Mall improvement.

8. Oxy building/AquaFalls site: Now One Niagara. Owned by developer Frank Parlato.

9. Temporary casino: Opened in 2002 in the old Niagara Falls Convention Center.

10. Reservoir development: Plan for improved parking in area bounded by Third Street, Rainbow Blvd. and Falls Street Faire.

11. Third Street revitalization: $3.7 million renovation completed in 2005.

12. Future development site: Area between First, Main, Ferry, Third and Niagara streets targeted for improvement.

13. Falls Street Station: Long-time home to TeleTech, houses 400-room Crowne Plaza suites.

14. Revitalization of historic district near state park: Planned development for bed and breakfast corridor along Buffalo Avenue.

15. Residential/lodging revitalization: Proposed upgrade for area bordered by state park, Robert Moses Parkway and Rainbow Blvd.

16. International Entry Corridor: Beautification plan for entrance to Canada.

17. Southern Gateway Project: Call for stone pedestrian bridge to link areas of park separated by Robert Moses Parkway.

18. Jefferson Apartment expansion: Renovated building offers apartments for rent, home to Ashker’s Third Street Cafe.

19. Downtown infill development: Reuse plan for pockets of vacant property near casino.

20. New lodging/entertainment: Property conveyed to Seneca Nation.

21. Additional lodging/entertainment: Seneca site development.

22. Seneca development: Ongoing.

23. Seneca development: Ongoing.

24. Permanent casino: Called for “Las Vegas style” casino to either replace or augment temporary facility.

25. Transportation Services Zone: Plan to accommodate bus traffic at the northeastern terminus of John Daly Blvd.

26. Hotel development between Buffalo Avenue and state park: Identifies as area for new hotel.

The complete development strategy report can be viewed at www.usaniagara.com.

http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/lo ... 14937.html

[spartacusii]

i just visited Niagara Falls the week prior to the 4th of July - had not been since i was a very small boy (guessing that would have been around '62?). we went up on wed & spent the nite. after taking some pics of the falls under the lights, we decided to grab a bite to eat. we had already been to the casino & just didn't care to return (it isn't THAT far - just didn't care for the whole atmosphere & choices) we wound up at the hard rock, which was fine. but we did find it a little striking that there wasn't more to choose from.

in all candor, it struck us as rather desolate . . . & i have reflected on this aspect a bit since we were there. 1 thougt has crossed my mind that i can't help but wonder if it isn't a large factor. clearly, the best side for VIEWING niagara falls is the canadian side. standing on the american side & looking across the river & seeing their skyline, what does it matter? - it isn't like it is wrecking a great view. but ya gotta ask yourself how you would feel about it seeing all that skyline as the backdrop to the falls? if i am honest about it, i wouldn't prefer it at all.

so then, IF the city/state is going to revitalize the area, how far back & how tall are you going to allow? i think the area could be better developed as far as services (restaurants & activities) for the tourists that do come. i just would not like to see the same sort of skyline behind the falls that we see across the river. they could do it cuz, like i said, it isn't interfering with any special views.

just thought i would share my thoughts about this topic.

jp

[Matt]

I actually prefer the viewing experience from the American side, as the platform we have gets a full panoramic view of both falls, and you can walk right up to, the American Falls and Bridal Veil.
I think the Hard Rock is really the only place to eat around there that isn't Indian Food.

[hobkyl]

Falls and parks-American side

Anything else-Canadian side

[Matt]

strip clubs - Canadian side

[hobkyl]

strip clubs - Canadian side

[spartacusii]

I actually prefer the viewing experience from the American side, as the platform we have gets a full panoramic view of both falls, and you can walk right up to, the American Falls and Bridal Veil.
I think the Hard Rock is really the only place to eat around there that isn't Indian Food.

as the platform we have gets a full panoramic view of both falls

c'mon - you can't be serious. the platform gives you as good a view of the american falls as you're gonna get from the american side, but even at that, i wouldn't say it is the best view of the american falls. but where i REALLY take issue with your statement is the view of the canadian falls. HARDLY what i would call a panoramic view - that is just flat stretching the truth beyond credulity. you are permitted, perhaps, 10-20% of the entire horseshoe, & that is it.

only having been on the american side, i can't really compare. but from what i could percieve, EXPERIENCING the falls appeared to be better from the american side; but if it was truly the best VIEWING that you were in search of, i'd have to concede that to the canadian side. we only had 2 days for our recent visit, so we made a conscious decision to limit it to the american side. but, i determined that i would be more than willing to make a return visit for the sole purpose of crossing over to the canadian side for optimal views.

jp