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Editor’s note: The Niagara Express watches Niagara Falls Mayor Bob Restaino’s weekly proclamation on Youtube and transcribes here because it is one of the few unfiltered windows into city government.
Baseball
Coming to you early this week because there is a lot going on with the end of the school year.
One of the things going on was the Niagara Falls High School Baseball team playing in the semifinals. They lost Thursday in extra innings but the mayor didn’t know that at the time of his proclamation.
“The team had a great year and we have some fabulous players coming out of high school and going to colleges around the country so congratulations on their great season and best of luck.”
NFR and the Milstein Group
“As you may have heard, Niagara Falls Redevelopment and the Milstein Group were again unsuccessful in a legal effort to try and see if they can exhaust the residents of this city into submission by throwing up whimsical cases trying to appeal and reargue and take control of the property and do nothing for 30 years. The plan for the data center is just another one of their fantastic postures that means nothing.
“And in light of our ability to work with them as we have ever since March of 2022 when we worked together to resolve a two-project solution which NFR and the Milstein Group terminated.
“Again, they came in with this planned development district which I said earlier is an end-run around this zoning problem that they have. As I said earlier, rather than send it back and say ‘no, we are not interested’ we are going to give them the opportunity to go through the process.
“The process has its own set of rules. The rules are set in ordinance and in state law so they will have every opportunity to present what they think will suffice for their application.”
Love for Mark Scheer
“That being said, it’s amazing to watch Mr. Scheer twist himself into so many different positions to try and support this really, really, it’s as though although I must say Mr. Scheer did a great . . . I am told that he did an article where he outlined all the other failed projects Niagara Falls Redevelopment and the Milstein Group promised. So for that, you know, hats off to him. It is unusual that Mr. Scheer does that, but he did.
“And I just hope that once the final nail is done, that we will be able to talk about the success that we think the Centennial Park Events Center will be but enough about all that.”
Food Truck Thursday
“Again I want to remind everybody that on June 26, the food truck Thursdays are at the train station and will again begin with a full slate of entertainment and food vendors. If you have enjoyed Food Truck Thursday, it will be out there. It starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 1:30 in the afternoon.
Parking attendants downtown
(Editor’s note: With parking attendants downtown for the first time in years, if you go there, pay the meter. If you want to apply for a permit, it is $25 for the year. Through the State, $75 gets you an annual Empire Pass good in the paid state park lots, for Artpark concert parking and any other. Or ride a bike.)
One of the things that is new downtown is we now have, going around downtown, visitor attendants. They not only address parking issues but they also provide direction in the event guests, residents, whomever may be down there need some direction on where to find something.
In that regard, I want to remind locals that you can come down to city hall with your license and your vehicle registration and you can register for a parking permit. A parking permit will allow you to park in any number of the city’s parking facilities. Obviously, street parking is metered but with this parking permit you will be able to park in the locations and the city has a variety of lots throughout the downtown area including a parking ramp.
If you are availing yourself of that, go to the clerk’s office, Ms. Eaton and her staff will get you the packet of information that you need and you will be able to park for one rate all throughout the year based upon the application that you file.
Please take advantage of that. It is a way for residents to avoid any parking issues downtown. It is a way to at least give locals a way to have a more affordable journey downtown.
Aquarium anniversary
It has been 60 years as a stable force through some transformation but I know they have further plans for growth
Weather is now spring
Be mindful of your surroundings. Be careful of bikes and scooters so we can have a safe spring and summer. Go on the Destination Niagara, Old Falls Street and the City Website for events. Take advantage of the city parking permit Be safe, be careful.
It is flag day
Feel free to celebrate
I know there are people who are angry for one reason or another nothing is perfect but we are going on 250 years and there is no greater experiment in Democracy and it probably stands up as the greatest effort in Democracy. Enjoy the day.
