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It started with at least 10 different entities expressing interest in the Rapids Theater.
Now we are down to two. Both have reportedly made presentations on how they would use the landmark Main Street theater in Niagara Falls.
In one corner is Jesse Gooch, a Niagara County Legislator and entrepreneur, owner of Painters Plus in Wheatfield and founder of Thursdays on the Water at Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda as well as Music Mania Mondays in the Town of Niagara, a promoter who has had good success in a smaller arena.
In the other corner is Chris Ring of After Dark Presents, the Rec Room, the Waiting Room and more, a promoter who has had good success over a long period of time.
The Express reached out to both for this article. Only Gooch returned a call before deadline. He was affable, chatty and optimistic. Ring has not called back yet. The Express spoke to numerous local music industry people who have known and worked with both.
Gooch said he toured the theatre and considered a deal with former owner John Hutchins who is now jailed for defrauding the government of covid relief funds. Ring was reportedly involved tangentially when Anthony Marsocci was serving as manager under Hutchins.
Gooch said his team did a lengthy presentation on its plans for the historical venue. His plan is not only concerts but weddings and events. He said his analysis of the building, as a contractor, is an initial investment of about $500,000 in improvements. As a contractor he has specialized skills and connections needed to complete renovations on the landmark.
Out of fairness to AfterDark, the Express won’t further detail Gooch’s plans because we know zero about what his competitor has proposed.
Which suitor is chosen will ultimately be the result of a vetting process of what is supposed to be an unbiased scoring process considering both proposals.
Neither potential entity seems, on the surface, unqualified. It is also worth noting outside entities, like interests from Toronto as well as corporate behemoth LiveNation, faded away.
The vetting process includes representation from the city but also Niagara Orleans Land Improvement Corporation, Niagara County Industrial Development Agency and Empire State Development. Projects are supposed to be objectively screened. In the instance of the Rapids, that likely means who is most connected to insiders at city hall or Niagara County Republican insiders has little bearing.
Meanwhile, next door at the Book Corner, Jeff Morrow waits for the lines to appear again outside his store as fans await entry, become aware he exists and make a point of stopping back. He also looks forward to the roadies, looking across the back parking lot to come explore his bookstore after they finish the load in.
