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Better times at the Jazz Festival.
A friend on Social Media yesterday questioned why Lewiston restaurants are struggling on Center Street.
Frontier House made it a year. The Stone House changed hands. Gallo is for sale. Blue Cave closed. Cask and Cow changed hands. It is a trend. I think it is a deeper trend than just blaming a down economy, inflation or people not wanting to spend $18 on a hamburger because they don't like what's happening in Washington.
The real root is because we keep sending Republicans to Albany and the state has not invested significantly in Artpark in more than 50 years.
Look at the bands being booked this year. Compare it to CMAC or Fallsview or SPAC. There was not an Artpark show we felt like attending this year and I know I am not the only one. Artpark missed revenue projections last year, lost money and was unable to give raises to its staff.
As a community, we have no seat at the table in Albany. If Artpark were relevant, it would be an economic engine and would be driving visitors to Lewiston.
The same goes for Niagara Falls where the State spends hundreds of millions to support the tourist core but our Senator and Assemblyman sit high on the hog with gerrymandered districts where they have safe seats but can't do jack for Lewiston or the families like mine or yours because Gov. Hochul does not need them.
The only one running for Senate or Assembly who has shown up at a meeting so far over the radioactive contamination in the Town of Niagara is Nate McMurray. No Assemblyman Morinello. No Senator Ortt. No Becky Wydysh. No Rep Brian Higgins or Sen. Schumer or Gilibrand. It is unconscionable.
We get what we vote for. Elect someone who will advocate for a major state investment in Artpark.
Otherwise, you are like the people who supported Trump in the Town of Niagara now wondering why the EPA is short staffed and not able to help when they have radioactive waste in their yards.
North Tonawanda at least has the voice of Assemblyman Bill Conrad as well as a charismatic mayor able to engage with the likes of Schumer and Kennedy. Lewiston and the Falls have no such voices. The only positive thing happening right now is the redevelopment of Main Street in the Falls. $60 million in public and private investment has been committed without consideration of new dorms for SUNY Niagara and Niagara University.
In context, Main Street redevelopment is ahead of Third Street. So is the tourism district with the Hotel Niagara project and the investment in the two new parks off 2nd street. Somehow, when I look at where these places stand and will be 10 years from now and rank them:
1) Tourist district Niagara Falls with more than $400 million invested.
2) Main Street Niagara Falls, with something close to $200 million all-in on 39 properties.
3) Center Street/Artpark, no investment in sight and Artpark nearing death and lucky to avoid closing.
4) Third Street Niagara Falls with Montante and Ellicott Development unable to find funding for meaningful development.
I don't pretend to be a real estate investor, but if I was, the 3 block circle around Main Street between Portage and Depot, extending might be a great place to buy low.
You will also notice I did not list Centennial Park or the Data Center in Niagara Falls, in keeping with my focus on what is actually likely to happen.
