I called Rod Davis Wednesday. The developer is gleeful about his project in Niagara Falls through Power City Ventures but he also admits there is a lot of work remaining to be done.
“Everything is moving forward and I am excited,” Davis said. “We are looking to start construction in early spring.
Most of what he will be working on is turning 10 rundown, vacant properties he purchased from the city for $50,000 total into viable short term rentals. Two others he previously acquired are also in the project.
Cooperating with the city, Power City received a Restore NY Grant for $1 million to complete the work but is seeking additional investors because of the magnitude of the project.
A home at 320 Cedar Ave., neglected since the arrest of a bomb maker who booby trapped the place, is included in the properties he intends to fix up. He said doors and windows in the home were heavily damaged in the March, 2020 incident.
Asked about critics of his projects, and business practices, Davis had a quick answer.
“I have no idea what people are talking about,’ he said. “Our goal is to rebuild Niagara Falls by working with the Mayor, the council and the planning board.”
Davis said the package of properties he purchased were originally included in a Request for Proposal circulated in 2020.
He responded but did not get awarded the project until reapproaching the city for help with a $1 million Restore NY grant grant application.
“Everyone thinks you start up and just start uncovering it,” he said, “but it is a lot of hard work. I stayed up from midnight to 6 a.m. doing paperwork. It’s a lot of hard work. There is a lot I still have to do.”
Asked about pending litigation or disputes with contractors, Davis said any comment would have to come from his lawyer. He also asked that any article written for the Express by approved by his lawyers, something to which this news site would never consent.
He was, however, quick with an opinion on Niagara Falls Redevelopment.
“It’s been 30 years,” he said. “What have you been doing for 30 years?”
A link to the original RFP Davis was talking about is attached below. The property list for what Power City purchased, which was in the supporting materials for the Oct. 5 Niagara Falls Councile meeting is no longer online
https://niagarafallsusa.org/download/EconomicDevelopment/2021/Request-f…
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