The World According to Bob

(Editor’s note: Each week, Niagara Falls Mayor Bob Restaino ascends the mount to offer us a sermon on the state of Niagara Falls. He posts it to youtube with the help of Our Schools Channel. Most weeks, the Express transcribes so you don’t have to watch unless the paint is still wet and you are waiting for it to dry. Add up this week's good news. $10 million DRI, $3 million Rapids, $5 million Jenss, $19 million city market. $38 million in state and private investment happening in the next 3 years.)

Progress for the Rapids

We had a great discussion with a couple of the developers for Main Street including a conversation with one of the parties interested in the Rapids Theatre. We expect applications for the acquisition of the Rapids Theater to be submitted by early next week and then the committee will evaluate them and hopefully we will have an announcement by months end.

Jenss plans advance

Then I had a really great conversation with the team that is going to be developing the Jenss Building. The proposal is for approximately 30 market-rate apartments, on-site parking, a number of different things.

Interestingly, the first floor, street level, they are designing sort of like food bazaar sort of like a business incubator for individuals who may want to start a business. They have been in contact as well with the Small Business Development Corporation here in the county. So they have a real good plan for taking that historic building on Main Street and bringing it back to life. They have even talked about maintaining some of the historic things. 

There is apparently a neon sign that says “Jenss” they need to remake that. Also some of the signage that is there. So I think once completed, the building will have that nostalgic feel but also some of the modern conveniences that associated with modern living. We are excited about Main Street we think that clearly the development opportunities continue to grow on the street and we are looking forward to some further announcements in the next few weeks.

About the City Market

There will be an announcement on the design and architecture team that has been selected for the redesign of the city market. The intention is that with the nearly $20 million committed to that project, we will start to see some renderings after some community input happens and stakeholder discussions so that ultimately we will all start to visualize what this new image of the market will look like.

Streetscape investment

Also, this coming Tuesday at the Train Station there will be a community meeting with regard to downtown revitalization this year. A little more information on what is happening in that regard, taking a broader look at the street as it relates to the Downtown Redevelopment Initiative and some of the things that are happening around it. If you pay attention to our social media as well as if you are on the text alert system you will get information on that.

About the weather

As you can tell, the weather is changing and with the weather changing, we will see more people out on the street and not just pedestrians but bicycles, scooters and another of different vehicles that will be out there sharing the road with cars. I know I have said this in the past so I hope you don’t mind me repeating. We have to be careful.

The roads are for everyone. I ask people who are operating vehicles other than cars to please remember the rules of the road as well. It is important to keep yourself safe. Motor vehicle operators, please be attentive to those other vehicles on the road.

The mayor doesn't like the potholes either

The next few days we will see a bit of a warmup. Our crews are out there using the material they have before the asphalt plan opens trying to fill the potholes as best as they can. So you will see crews out in various parts of the city trying to address those areas as best as they can so this is a temporary effort with the material that is available. Once the asphalt plant opens, and I am hoping sooner rather than later this year, they will be able to get out there to those spots that are annoying to both you and me.

Have a little patience with them. They are out there working hard. They are probably not in the exact location that you would like them to be but they are out, they are working, they are even working overtime they are trying to do as many spots as possible.

Announcements are coming

There will be a number of different announcements coming out with regard to these development projects. We look forward to sharing them with you. Otherwise, as the weather gets better, I ask everyone, get outside, take a walk, but also, if you are out there, if you are a walker, or a bike rider or a driver, please be careful. I look forward to talking to you again next week.