Several conversations this week gave me pause.
Perhaps the highlight was a chat with one of the proprietors in a Pine Avenue business.
He seemed worn out and tired of hanging on.
“This city could still be nice but they need to do something about crime” he said.
It’s a common sentiment, sort of like excusing the mayor’s temperament because “it’s just Bobby being Bobby.”
The big issue, as I see it, is branding. Outside of Western New York, if you tell someone you are from the Falls, their face lights up.
“I love it there. I remember going on the Maid of the Mist.” They think it is like Disney.
Inside Western New York, tell someone you are moving to the Falls and the response is different.
“Why would you move from Clarence to Niagara Falls? You're going to get shot.”
Reality is way different.
The state does everything it can to keep 9 million visitors, and their money, in the Park. “Make sure you get the $14 pastrami and swiss from Delaware North. Give us your $10 for parking and be on your way. Canada is nice.”
The truth is there are numerous nice neighborhoods remaining in the Falls from LaSalle to areas around Hyde Park and DeVeaux and homes are still affordable.
The school district has the rough edges that come from poverty but offers a bevy of opportunities to graduate into union apprenticeships as well as with an associates degree or college credit from Niagara, NCCC, even Stanford.
The restaurants, especially pizza, are better than any in Western New York. I have Amherst/Williamsville/Clarence for reference. There is no comparison. Spare me Darden’s finest. I’ll take Fortuna’s, Hacienda or Michaels any day. As for pizza, Buzzy’s and Mister B’s rock it. Wings from Judi’s and Mister B’s are the best around.
There are still poor planning decisions being made. For example, building subsidized housing at the foot of the Rainbow bridge is insane.
Ditto considering using community development funds to seize privately held land to build an arena next to the casino a half-mile from the entertainment district before a feasibility study is completed.
Still, consider the redevelopment going on at Third and Ferry. More will follow.
I have been disappointed in the continued decline of Pine Avenue. Numerous once-thriving properties have changed hands, many are now owned by Islamic people. While the residential portions upstairs remain occupied, very few businesses have materialized downstairs.
One exception is the former T. Grana & Son which is now a Halal Grocery. At least the Mosque is growing.
A Halal pizzeria came and went. DeCamillos closed down after one robbery too many. A faded sign on another building promises a Halal Farmers Market “coming soon.” It’s been hanging there for years.
A couple months ago law enforcement cracked down on smoke shops selling marijuana. By my count the other day there are now 9 such businesses opened or reopened in Little Italy.
Still with those concerns you can buy a decent house in a nice neighborhood for $200,000 or less. Try that in North or South Buffalo or on the West Side.
Just picking up the trash, debris and garbage that lines our streets, alleys and empty lots would go a LONG way to improving this city. Where is DPW? Even the Aquarium doesn't clean up their lot on the southeast side of Pine and Third - it's a dump and has been all summer.
Just wondering if the contract to run the ice rink at Hyde Park has anything with getting a contract to run the ice rink at the Centennial Park? Because even when the people don't want some thing the Mayor always get his way.
Partly Cloudy , with a high of 76 and low of 59 degrees. Mist during the morning, sunny in the afternoon, clear for the evening, overcast overnight.
And what is the projected impact to the surrounding communities? I keep hearing dire warnings of noise and vibration to houses that make the area unlivable, but I don't know about this issue to see what the truth is, who it will negatively impact, and how much.
70° and Overcast
