In depth with Mayor Restaino Part II

Intro (sorry if you read this on Facebook or NextDoor)

For the second time, Niagara Express sat Monday with Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino for the second time.

Like happens when matters of importance call, Restaino was 10-minutes late for Monday’s meeting. He had good reason. he was on a call with the city’s outside counsel over an eminent domain settlement to give the city the right to purchase the land proposed for Centennial Park, the multi-purpose event center he hopes to see built a half mile from the tourist area near the Seneca Niagara Casino.

He likened the negotiation to the nitty-gritty of a divorce trial where most matters are resolved but some things that might seem trivial remain sticky. For example, “how are we going to share custody of the dog?”

Restaino was the second mayor in two days to run late for an appointment with the Express. A week ago today, it was his Niagara Falls, Ontario counterpart His Worship James Diodati.

The Express has not had time to write up that interview but it is coming. It is going to be a few thousand words. There are great things going on in Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York will benefit from its proximity. As Buffalo’s decline continues, and Niagara Falls, Ontario grows, we are likely, within about 15 years for the Canadian city to eclipse Buffalo in population and regional significance.

The sooner they notice in Albany, the sooner the whole region booms stateside. Buffalo should be treated like the ugly stepsister it is, significant for the presence of the Bills but an afterthought in the way Green Bay is less important than Milwaukee.

As Restaino explained, “the province is leaning in on Niagara Falls, Ontario. The state is different. When Premier Ford says we are putting $1 billion in Niagara Falls, Ontario we aren’t seeing the state spend $1 billion even with everything it has done in the state park.”

The State seems more inclined to invest in nonsense like a Tesla Plant or an industrial park in the middle of nowhere like STAMP. Albany rarely makes investments that make business sense when it can waste money on things like Solar City.

Heck Thursday came the big splash about Broadway Market revitalization coming in the face of a 25% tax increase. You want bad government? They have it in spades.

One of the few political people around willing to speak truth about that is Nathan McMurray who is running for 145th District State Assembly as a Democrat, but that is a story for another day.

Diodati, and his city are way more exciting than NFNY. One is home. The other is about to become Canada’s version of Vegas.

This was the second interview in this format with Restaino. The good news: No questions were off limits and he agreed to meet again next month even if the Express asked some questions he didn’t like even if he gave some well-spun answers. Suggested questions are always welcome.

The interview

The interview took place Monday. Most of the answers are not exact transcription but representative of the Mayor's words. The agenda, but not the supporting documents was out at the time of the interview. The role of Field & Fork in helping operate the City Market had not yet been renewed even as the new season is less than a month away. The question: Is it too late for a full-slate of events to happen this year? How do you answer concerns about public safety? 

The response: The administration is working on the contract. Last season, the Fields & Fork role was in part grant funded. That grant ended. There is still time for events and vendors to be set up for this year. There might not be a dedicated police presence but there will be someone there regularly. (Editor’s note: Market Manager Joanna Congi sat in the gallery during the meeting, unknown by everyone but the Express. Joe Genco knows her from being a regular market patron.)

What about the Save-a-Lot and CVS properties? Any progress in finding tenants?

The market seemed promising a few months ago when the mayor acknowledges Tops considered relocating Portage Road. The CVS property has been more challenging. (Editor’s note: Dang, too soon for a second note but the Tops plaza sold earlier this year and corporate decided to invest in remodeling including the addition of a pharmacy. This is a much better outcome than moving to the Market plaza. No media outlet besides the Express reported on that issue.)

On Youtube, you asked people to send photos of illegal dumpers. 311 does not accept photos. Where should people send them?

The mayor suggested emailing them to members of the administration but then doubled back to say he will ask the city’s MIS department to establish a specific email address for people to make submissions. He also said the city may begin using cameras in popular dumping areas as both a deterrent and an investigatory tool. (Editor’s note 3. I am sensing a trend. The Mayor called Tuesday to say the address is illegaldumping@niagarafallsny.gov.)

Where do we stand with the Rapids Theatre? Who has been doing more cleanout there recently?

The same company as before, Rodriguez Construction has been handling the cleanout. By this time next month we might have a designated purchaser/operator. There are two applications being considered. Both are experienced. One specializes in events. The other has more of a music/entertainment operator. The committee making a recommendation has not just city representation but participation from multiple outside entities like the Niagara Orleans Land Improvement Corporation, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency and Empire State Development.

Are all four projects, Jenss, Club Fusion, the church and the lawyers office moving forward in the Main Street business district?

All are moving forward. The City is continuing to get additional inquiries about other properties. Stabilization work is moving forward as well.

At the Train Station two weeks ago Morgan Genovese said there were 11 projects moving forward. Are there other commitments that have not been announced?

Genovese was likely talking about small business development funding available through the Downtown Redevelopment Initiative, not the 39-property Bridge District.

What is up with the church at 822 Cleveland Ave. that Niagara University has been trying rehab? It has been sitting there untouched for more than two years.

Niagara University received a HUD grant three years ago. Multiple HUD directors have come and gone since. The best explanation likely would come from Niagara, but the university has been moving forward chasing a moving target due to instability in the federal government.

How are you doing finding replacement for Kevin Forma as community development director? How is E3 doing handling the public information role?

The city was close on hiring someone and they stepped away at the last minute. Those sort of jobs are the most difficult to fill because of the skill set required. E3 is doing OK but is still coming up to speed.

Is there an operating agreement in place for Hyde Park Arena?

Currently, we are working through the revenue and expenses of the arena as well as the cost of improvements made by Jerry Puleo and company. When the city has a better handle on those realities, an RFP will be issued for a new operator. An Easter Open Skate last weekend drew 250 people. People around the rink are happy.

The Express spoke to another AirBnb operator who said they have tried every year to register their properties. “The site doesn’t work so I gave up” they said. “If they aren’t going to make it easy, why should I fight to give them my money?” How is it OK that Granicus doesn’t work after all this time?

Granicus is a tool. In many instances, some of the difficulties remain with internal personnel. The interface between Granicus and the city has to be translated into action. This is never an excuse but it is a fact. Code enforcement has 2 vacancies and a staff member out as active duty military. The frustration and disappointment is a function of staffing.

The people fighting for the Turtle aren’t going away. Can you offer words of encouragement?

If they stay constant, and consistent, my hope is the property owner will entertain their objectives.

(Editor’s note (dang, that makes 4, but who’s counting): the mayor may have been understating his true feelings because the eminent domain case before Judge Deborah Chimes who has asked Niagara Falls Redevelopment and the city to play nice with Roger Trevino and NFR.)

Hotel Niagara work is underway. Where are they going to park cars?

The city has had preliminary parking and discussed both self parking and valet options. Plans are to use multiple different lots including the lot near the Jefferson.

Acting Corporation Counsel Tom DeBoy has been in his role for for more than two years. He is the only face of the administration at every counsel meeting. What will it take for him lose the “acting” title?

“I don’t know,” the mayor said after a long pause. “I have to admit I am always looking for additional aid in all of those offices.” 

(Editor's note 5: A source with intimate knowledge of city affairs suggested DeBoy might not want the "acting" title removed because if he became corporation counsel, he could be removed at the pleasure of the mayor. If the mayor removes the "acting" title he could go back to the role of deputy. Things aren't always as they seem.)

Neil Reddien is Acting Corporation Counsel. Will you require him to me into the city?

The mayor acknowledged Reddien could not continue as a full-time city employee without fulfilling the requirement but posited that it is possible he may transition to the role of consultant. Reddien has been instrumental in dealing with Freedom of Information Law requests as well as attempting to iron out issues with Granicus. It helps having tech savvy people on staff.

When will an RFP go out for the dog shelter?

The mayor said he is hoping for April. The RFP is more complicated than figuring out ice rink operations or the baseball stadium because there is so much involved, from not only feeding and sheltering dogs but also medical care and figuring out adoption services. While work is near completion at the shelter, floor finishing as initially completed were substandard. That work was being redone and scheduled for an inspection in the near future.

Where do we stand on land acquisition for Centennial Park?

The mayor said the major issues have been ironed out. There are some issues that remain to be resolved, like the transition of smaller parcels within the overall site that are still owned by the State. Because Judge Chimes told both parties to negotiate, there will likely be no litigation over the former gym and ball diamond the mayor believes was never properly alienated as park land in the cusp between Mayors Anello and Elia. “I really would have liked to see that litigated,” he said.

Red Door Real Estate, when the city first agreed to sell 10 properties to it for $10,000, had a tight timeline that did not happen because the deal did not close quickly enough. Have the deeds been transferred? What will the city do to hold them accountable?

The city’s economic development department will be charged with holding them accountable. The deeds have been transferred. The timeline will be shifted.

North Tonawanda has cleaned up its financial mess. The City of Tonawanda is now facing issues. Buffalo is looking at a 24% tax increase. Your bond rating has increased twice and there has been no signific tax increase. How do you answer people who alleged every department has a slush fund called unallocated fund balance?

The biggest problem is filling jobs. Unallocated funds are all about keeping money available for when employees are hired. The city also has been conservative in revenue projections. When revenue streams exceed projections it has allowed the average tax increase to remain less than 1%. There are challenges like the cost of Tier VI retiree pensions, but the city has also received that $6.2 million in additional aid announced last month which will fill some holes. There are towns all around that have increased taxes significantly like Amherst and the Town of Niagara.

What is going on with student housing construction?

The city has multiple developers considering the construction of new student housing along Main Street. While no deal is closed, there is hope the finish line is near. It is another core piece of downtown redevelopment