The World According to Bob

Editor's note: After time off because of school closures, Mayor Restaino returned with his weekly proclamation via Youtube. The Express transcribes so you don’t have to watch. The state-of-the-state had some good proposals but no big projects. The Mayor was in the ear of numerous Albany decisionmakers advocating for Niagara Falls.

The Weather

It is extremely cold. The level of snow is widely predicted – you will see numbers quoted that may or may not happen here. I don’t want to minimize it because of the way the wind is based on all of the reports that we have received, the weather pattern can shift in the course of a day several times so the impending snow could be different through different parts of the say and in fact, could either be less or more than what is predicted in a particular area.

So first and foremost, I would say to all of you over this weekend: Be prepared to have intense cold. This is another one of those moments where, if you are aware and you have friends who are elderly, check on them. Make sure everything is good. Because the snow is unpredictable, it is probably a good idea to limit the amount of travel you might be doing over the weekend. I realize that some things are essential or there are things you might feel you need to get out to do but my suggestion would be that you limit that just to make sure that you are not caught in anything.

Those are the few pieces of advice. I know our crews are out there, even today, making sure they groom back the streets as best they can. The other thing I would ask is that I would ask, and sometimes it is impossible, but if at all possible, especially on the side roads, move your car. I just traveled on a road where the right side was nicely groomed the left side not so much. If at all possible, please do that so as they continue to make rounds they are able to at least groom back the street so that whatever happens, they are are least able to have a head start on things.

State-of-the-State

Since I last had the chance to speak with you, I was in Albany to attend the Governor’s State-of-the-State address. While there weren’t any large projects discussed statewide, somethings that would typically be in there, I think a couple of things that would be worthy of mentioning here, and things that I think statewide are great: The governor has proposed that if 3D printers are sold in New York that they will include software that will prevent these printers from printing gun parts, so I think that is a good thing. In addition, she discussed the introduction of software into cell phones to try and keep folks 18 and under from getting wrapped up into software that are really rabbit holes into bigger problems.

It was a little shorter on detail because I think they will flush that out as they get deeper into it, but I think both of those things are good for all of our communities across New York State. In addition, there has been a commitment to provide universal childcare across the state. Part of that includes some assistance with Pre-K free funding. Now I know in our own school district, it’s been for a while, I know from when I was on the school board, we already have programs in place where the the NFSD is taking children at a young age all the way through high school so those are some of the highlights we had.

Lobbying for Niagara Falls

I also had the opportunity to speak with other state representatives about some of the things happening here in Niagara Falls, a lot of the good news with the event center as a regional project with the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. We are pleased that the Partnership has included it among their annual advocacy of programs. Buffalo Niagara Partnerships advocates for projects that represent regional improvement. The fact that they have embraced the event center in that way I think is a good thing for all of Niagara Falls.

Main Street progress

In addition, some of the state representatives were interested in hearing about how we are doing on Main Street. Some of the good news is I have received initial renderings for the Jenss Building and the market rate apartments that will be there. We have received additional interest in the cornerstone of Main Street development which is Niagara University Housing and with a little bit more effort, we may even be getting a contract in soon to reestablish the Rapids Theater.

In some short time, March of this year will be one year that the Urban Renewal Agency has had those properties and within that time, we can already tell you we have $31 million in private and public investment into that area, something that really has not happened over the last few decades. I think it is something you can be proud of. We are all hopeful that the Main Street we can create, while different from the Main Street of our memories, will become an exciting and vibrant place. As more unfolds on that, I will be sharing that with you.

City Market progress

I’ve had some people ask me about the city market. Just this past week, we closed out our review of proposals that were submitted for the design of the new city market and we are going to be conducting some interviews with the proposers and, ultimately, a selection made. There will be community engagement as part of this too, so once a selection is made of a company who will assist us in the design and the reimagining of the city market, part of what all of the proposers have suggested is community engagement, the ability to see, hear and ask questions about what the reimagining of the city market will be like.

Be patient. It is hard for the mayor, not just you

I know we are only three weeks into the new year but there are a lot of things happening. I will provide more information as the year unfolds and what I can say is I am like you. I am anxious to have these things launch. I have also learned that the best things that happen happen at a pace that is consistent with their stability. So while I have to learn to be patient, I ask all of you to be patient with these plans and proposals. The exciting thing is that developers are once again looking at Niagara Falls as a viable place to do business. So I think that is important for us as residents to take pride in.

Remember the weather

Circling back, just remember, at current, there is no proposed driving ban. Whether that changes because the weather can change in in an instant. My suggestion is, because of all of these things that could happen, if you are not already into our text alert system, please text the word “resident” to (716)-435-5723.

If there is a travel alert or anything else related to the weather, that is where you will get the first and most immediate information on it.

It is the fastest, and easiest way for you to be on top of information as soon as it comes out of city hall.

Just be safe over this weekend. We know it is going to be cold so please attend to that and don’t drive if you don’t have to just because we don’t know yet how the snow will engage here in the city of Niagara Fall. Stay warm this weekend and I look forward to talking to you again next week.