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Walt Garrow posted this to Facebook Wednesday and I thought I’d try to answer. I don’t know him. I also don’t remember who shared it. His questions were passionate enough I cut and pasted it into a file so I could answer point-by-point to the best of my knowledge.
There are meetings, and social media posts that feel like Groundhog Day, the same thing over and over again, like the Heart of the City Forum last night at the library where 45 people gathered to bitch about everything that is wrong with very few offering solutions. It's like an endless planning meeting at the train station where nothing ever gets fixed.
Here's what Garrow asked (Thank you Walt):
“As I have said, where is ‘The Plan’ for the City? Is there an agenda for these? I recently saw pictures of the old St. Mary's Hospital/Nursing Home, and I feel particularly sad about St. Mary's Hospital. I was born there. I have had family members pass away there. I guess we can help the City by keeping an agenda priority list for the City”:
I ask questions too. Here are some updates from talking to people, personal observations and meeting with Mayor Bob Restaino. I have met with him twice and have another scheduled. Before the colon “:” is Garrow’s question. After that is my best answer as one of two Niagara Falls resident journalists writing about our fine city. Mark Scheer is the other. I hope I see something from Ken Cosentino soon.
Main Street (total): Four projects have been announced. The city now owns 39 buildings it foreclosed on. Even without a Rapids Theatre announcement (it is coming) investments and commitments are in the $30 million range. New dorms for NU are coming too.
Pine Ave. (total): The market area and Pine Avenue are the target of $20 million in new investment but it is taking way, way too long.
Abandoned houses (North, West, South ends): The city has a crisis that starts in code enforcement. With two inspectors, it’s impossible to find chickens let alone things that really matter.
St. Mary's Hospital/Nursing Home: Several months ago the Mayor said a developer had been in to propose a new housing complex on the site using historic tax credits for part of the funding. I will ask him when next we speak.
Turtle: There is no action on this. That said, if it had become the focus of the current administration, it would have received support in the Senate and Assembly and would be moving forward rather than stalled. I will ask the mayor again.
Carnegie building: A structural analysis and adaptive reuse study are funded. Among potential and appropriate uses would be a relaunch of the Niagara Falls Library History Department. Two problems: There is no current history librarian, no funding and what becomes of the squirrel floor at the library. When there was last a history librarian, she knew the rodents by name and cleaned up after them every morning.
Armory: Chamus Hawk has discussed ideas for this once-great building but there is no credible plan or funding. I will ask the mayor again.
Jenss: Developers will be rehabbing and launching a mixed use project. The developers, associated with the Yotts family are credible, experienced and have history in Niagara Falls.
Rapids Theater: No plans have been announced. The most recent rumors are that two apps have been received for redevelopment, one for a concert venue and one for a redevelopment involving an event space and apartments.
Wendt's Dairy: It is a black hole. Preservation Buffalo Niagara has mentioned it as a place worthy of a tour. I will ask the Mayor.
Hotel Niagara: Work is ongoing. The mayor has said tours may be scheduled sometime soon to show progress but the project is funded.
Lavinia Porter House: It is in private ownership and the owner is under siege by proximity to the hotel developer and adjacent neglected properties. Gerald Skrlin is passionate but it is not in a good place.
Echo Club: It changed hands in the last few years but no plans have been announced.
Save-A-Lot/Farmer's Market: Market discussed above. The city is working to find a tenant. Portage Road Tops almost moved there but when the plaza on Portage changed hands, Tops decided to invest and build out a pharmacy. Closing Portage Road would have been disastrous. I worry about Latinas.
Hyde Park Public Safety Building: It has been a topic of one of the Groundhog Day meetings, when planners, who like lawyers and accountants always get paid, have gathered community thoughts on what to do with it.
Adam's Power Plant: The current owners have rebuffed entreaties from the owners of the Rainbow Air Tourism Facility who would like to buy and develop it.
Buffalo Ave. Vacant/empty Industry lots: No clue.
NFHS/NACC Repairs: Bathrooms, theatre and other renovations are ongoing but more funding is needed. There appears to be stable leadership with Jennifer Pauly in place.
Public Library, repair main floor: I will ask the mayor.
Seperate Combined Sewers (West half of City): Senators Schumer, Gillibrand and Reps. Kennedy and Higgins don’t care about Niagara Falls and did not include the $500 million or so it would take to fix the wastewater treatment plant and water/sewer problem in the infrastructure bill passed under President Biden. Buffalo lobbies for Canalside, Visit Buffalo Niagara, the Broadway Market and more. Until we show imagination and demand a voice, they will not realize Buffalo is a guest in the Niagara region. Niagara Falls, Ontario is 15 years from being bigger than Buffalo. It has international cache and $7 billion in investment coming. It will be $10 billion when Marineland redevelopment is announced.
Summit Mall: Currently in foreclosure in a battle between lenders and owner.
Maggadino Funeral Chapel: Believed to by owned by Niagara Falls Redevelopment. No plans announced.
Water Mains/valves, replace <100 years old: We already pay the highest water rates around. That is not changing. See the comment above about federal elected officials who don’t care.
Road Pot Holes: It is a regional problem, the same in North Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Ontario and Buffalo.
Past Porter Av. Sam's Club building: No clue
