The World According to Bob

(Editor’s note: Each week Niagara Falls Mayor Bob Restaino issues edicts from his lair so his minions know what he’s been up to. The Express transcribes so you don’t have to listen.)

Speaking with State Senators

This past week we had the opportunity to have some additional discussions with New York State Senate leaders about our event center project. Those conversations were fruitful and I am totally looking forward to continuing the discussion about financing for the event center.

We are also making great progress in finalizing the settlement with regard to the property. We expect that to be concluded in the next couple of weeks.

Main Street updates

An update on Main Street. We are anticipating a couple of things. There will be a submission, an application with regard to some student housing construction on main as well as a couple of proposals that should be put in, finalized for the groups that have already walked through the Rapids Theater so those projects are moving along.

City Market progress

The committee that is working on the reimagining and redeveloping of the city market has concluded its determination on the design and architecture firm for the project. There will be an announcement short term with regard to the firm and we anticipate over the next several weeks they will be getting input, doing research, holding community meetings with regard to the project so a number of voices can be heard and distilled into the project for consideration. Those are the projects that are moving forward.

Clean up around your house

We are expecting better temperatures over the next few days so as the snow and the ice melts the one thing I would ask is that if you own property, as it all starts to go away, if there is debris on your property, please pick it up. The easier we make it to clean up before spring the better it will be as we roll into spring and make our city bright.

Pothole season is upon us

I think on everybody’s mind, including mine, are the potholes. They are just about everywhere. Now, I have said this a couple of times and it bears repeating. Crews are out. When they aren’t salting or plowing they are out putting in cold patch. Cold patch is a temporary fix and really not all that stable but there will be additional crews out in the coming days to get some relief until the asphalt plant opens and we can get better repairs.

We are also working with the council to get crews out there on a bit of overtime as well as some other assistance with some of the lesser areas of concern.

It is on the top of everyone’s mind. Yours, mine, everyone. I guess given the condition of the roads, please understand it is also our responsibility as drivers to keep an eye out, drive a little bit slower. There is no reason to not be a little more mindful as we drive. Those repairs are coming. The best repair we can provide now is probably not a permanent one but it is the best we can do until the plant opens. I know that all of us are looking forward to having those things out of the way. Your patience is appreciated.

Congratulations. We won maple syrup

I also want to congratulate the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams on winning the Gold. You may recall that we had a little friendly wager with our friends in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I am happy to say I have had a couple communications with Mayor Diodati. We are arranging an opportunity for us to recover our wages as more information comes out on that we will get it out there on social media as well as some of the other platforms that we have. Congratulations to both the women’s and men’s on winning the Gold medal. Also congratulations to the entire Team USA for getting an historic number of Gold medals for a Winter Olympics. It is something to be proud of as a country.

Clean up, slow down and be kind

As we get to the warmer weather I know for me it can’t happen fast enough. Be careful on the streets. Clean up your property, this helps your neighborhood.

We will continue to provide you with updates on these various projects that are happening throughout the city. If you are going to be out and around, be safe. As the weather clears, you will have more bike riders, more scooters, more pedestrians so be careful on the streets.