In depth with Mayor Restaino Part II

The Express met last week with Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino for the third time last week. No questions were off limits. Mayor Restaino has terminated interviews, snapped at people and sometimes been less than congenial. Ask his Sicilian friends about that and the response is rote: “Oh, that’s just Bobby being Bobby.”

For this interview, I purposefully did not ask about Centennial Park or Niagara Falls Redevelopment.

Mark Scheer can write about that ad nauseum or until the Niagara Gazette dies, whichever comes first. I will focus on the good things that are actually happening. It's not the $10 billion being invested in Niagara Falls, Ontario, but when you add up all the projects underway stateside, it totals somewhere between $250 and $500 million, things that are actually happening even before Albany funds the Niagara Falls Billion. Let's focus on that. The link to the story about my interview with the Mayor is below.

Most of the answers here are paraphrased rather than being direct quotes, giving the spirit of the answer if not an exact transcription. Direct quotes will appear as such. Sarcasm will be noted as such.

What’s up with the Rapids Theatre? After Dark Presents or Jesse Gooch? (Editor’s note: The Express broke the story last week that Chris Ring and After Dark Presents, along with his partner Dale Segal were the winning bidders. They paid $10,000 and committed to spend $1.5 million on renovations including building a full commercial kitchen. The competing bid was reportedly for $200,000 with $500,000 in renovations and a plan to have events catered by local restaurants. Those details did not come from the Mayor.)

The Mayor said both finalists presented to the committee. Both proposals were unique and each had their own flavor. He declined to identify a preference but did say the committee making the decisions and scoring the proposals includes representation from the state, city, Niagara County IDA, Niagara Orleans Land Improvement Corporation and Niagara University.

Any update on Jenss?

The plan is moving forward and on target. The developers are proposing to work this summer on first floor commercial space and to build a model apartment as things move forward so people can see what things will look like.

What about the other 3 announced projects (Fusion building, the church at Main and Lockport and vacation rentals on Division Street)

All 3 seem to be moving forward but financing remains a concern.

Where does the plan for new Niagara University housing stand?

Conversations with NU are ongoing. Everyone involved understands the critical nature of having new housing in place before the zoning ordinance limiting student housing in residential areas goes into place. The city is in the process of crafting an agreement with the development team.

When will people see progress on the streetscape downtown?

The design team is planning a second community meeting in LaSalle. “In every area of the city, to so many people, Main Street meant something,” the Mayor said. One change in planning already is that a public plaza initially slated for in front of the police station will be instead placed in front of the library.

With no casino deal, is the city still getting revenue? Where is it? What about the hospital and Heritage Area?

The city had a conversation in early April with the budget people in Albany about providing payments from 2025 revenue. The Seneca Nation is making payments into escrow pending resolution. Under state finance law passed in 2024 none of the other organizations were included.

Councilmember Bridgette Myles talked about night gym and then passed a resolution. Then you announced the program with the Boys and Girls Club. Can you explain?

“The councilmember may have had good intentions, but she never included conversations with the administration which was already talking to the Boys and Girls Club,” Restaino said. Night Gym is really a place holder name for the program because the entire club will be open meaning kids can study, play games or engage in other worthwhile activities.

How can the council better work with you?

“Part of it is a question of trust, not in me but in the departments that are here” he said. “The choice is trust the professionals that are working here, the people who have been here, or the people who scream and yell?

“No one wants to violate regulations or state law. I have tried desperately to communicate with them (the council) but you have to want to meet, to talk. It can’t be solely text or email.

“One council member meets regularly. Contrary to public perception, I will make myself available to anyone.

“There is no suggestion that we wouldn’t explore. The easy part is identifying the problem. The hard part is tackling it. There is nothing to keep you from talking.”

Editor’s note: The Mayor readily admitted the councilmember with whom he regularly speaks is Jim Perry. Also, regarding the Mayor being accessible, the Express has not always gotten along with the him, he has hung up on Joe Genco and offered harsh words on a Friday night at Judas Tree over a petty disagreement about 18 months ago. He has never denied an interview request. The next one, in June, is already scheduled regardless of what this one says. There is no expectation of anything and no question is off the table. If you read this, send me your suggestions.

There was a gap in the Field & Fork. Will that hurt the market this year? Nothing was publicized last year and it is not getting better.

Time will tell. The city moves as fast as it can. We need Field and Fork to continue to do what they do.

In November, you mentioned that developers had presented a proposal to you for the long-abandoned Mount St. Mary’s Nursing Home on Lewiston Road. Is there any progress to report?

The developers are going through due diligence with financing. A promising sign is that potential investors represent new money coming into Niagara Falls.

We’ve had one gun-related murder in the impoverished areas of the city in the last 3 years. Is that a result of police GIVE patrols or Community activists like SNUG?

It is a real credit for the way we have used funding and skills. SNUG in many times is involved trying to keep conflicts from expanding. Raising awareness can keep things conflict from escalating.

In the past few years, North Tonawanda has spent $60,000 on grant writing and received almost $11 million in grants.

The city makes regular use of an outside grant consultant. Kevin Forma, formerly with community development used it a lot.

What’s one restaurant in the Falls people don’t know about but should?

Amala in the Cambria Hotel.

What do you say to people concerned about the amount of trash everywhere in the city?

As a property owner, it’s more than just cleaning the leaves and shoveling the walk. If you see a piece of litter, pick it up. We all need to do our part.

What do you say to the citizens of the city who say city hall is under lockdown and not open to the simplest of requests?

It is no different than public offices everywhere. It is no different than going into City Hall in Buffalo, North Tonawanda or anywhere.

Why is it so hard to deal with Freedom of Information Act requests?

The administration needs to be fast but accurate. Finding help is difficult. “I never thought in my lifetime there would be help wanted signs at city hall.” It calls to memory Aldo at La Hacienda back in the day. Good food is not fast. Neither is accurate information.

Given Trump’s tariffs, going back to your joint press conference with Sen. Chuck Schumer discussing the decline in Canadian traffic crossing the border, how will this impact your Centennial Park idea?

“I don’t think it impacts sports the same way. Sports tourism continues to be a growing market. Key Bank Center in Buffalo continues to fill with Canadian fans.”

Niagara Street is riddled with vacant and abandoned buildings where the homeless and mentally challenged loiter and make the entrance ways to our city. They beg for money and tourists just don’t feel safe. This stretch is the Gateway to the Falls. How do you clean it up?

The police move people on as best they can. It would be great to increase opportunities, to create traffic and increase business opportunities. You have to give people a reason to be in that space.

Talk to me about growing up at Packard Court.

It was a mixed race community unto itself. (Editor’s note: I did not ask him about John. That was a mistake.)

In the last 7 years of your administration, can you tell us about Fortune 500 companies you reached out to to try and bring jobs to Niagara Falls?

The mayor says he went all out for Amazon and has had some other conversations but it is not that simple.