EDITORIAL: NYPA could energize Experience Center

Editorials

February 23, 2010

Anonymous The Niagara Gazette Tue Feb 23, 2010, 10:48 PM EST

Back in October of 2008 we wrote on this page of “experiencing the disappointment” regarding the future of the proposed Niagara Experience Center.

Envisioned as a multi-million dollar entertainment center/tourist facility, it was a child of the state of New York. But $10 million promised by the Gov. George Pataki administration never came through and construction money from the private sector never materialized.

As the years have gone by, the chances of seeing such a facility have grown dimmer and dimmer.

“I think we had a really great dream,” said historian Paul Gromosiak back in 2008. “I really think the city and the whole region would have benefited from this.”

We agree — as we wrote back in 2008:

“It’s a tragedy that a worldwide icon like Niagara Falls doesn’t have a showcase to offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the history, geology and mythology that is Niagara. It would add so much to their visit. Maybe it would encourage them to stick around a little longer. Perhaps it would be a deciding factor in recommending Niagara Falls as a vacation destination to friends and family. We need something like that. Too bad it probably won’t happen, at least in the foreseeable future.”

Good thing we said “probably” — it looks like there may be new life for this important project after all.

Earlier this month, Mayor Paul Dyster held a press conference near the New York Power Authority water intakes to unveil details of a $120 million economic development package he was asking the authority to support.

Dyster has said in the past the experience center was one of his administration’s top priorities.

The word around town is that NYPA CEO Richard Kessel will be in the Falls today with a possible announcement on the package. If NYPA agrees to it, it’s reasoned that a portion of the funds will be used to get the experience center back on track.

And do we ever need it. We won’t get into all the benefits of the experience center right now, we’ll wait to see how things play out today, but we feel it could make a real difference and jumpstart quality development downtown.

With the help of NYPA, we could soon be experiencing a lot of excitement over this long-dormant project.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Editorials

CHEERS & JEERS: Feb. 10's best and worst of the week
As Ken Hamilton so eloquently puts it in his column on this page — the SPCA of Niagara would probably be in a lot better shape if everyone took care of their pets.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
EDITORIAL: U.S. has a lot of catching up to do in War of 1812 bicentennial
Almost 200 years after President Madison declared the War of 1812 there is a distinct lack of interest on this side of the border in commemorating that milestone.

February 9, 2012
EDITORIAL: Times up for SPCA board
This is no time for subtleties or polite requests.
We are now demanding the resignations of the members of the board of the Niagara County SPCA.

February 6, 2012
EDITORIAL: Niagara Falls ‘Can't Wait’ for this
Niagara Falls has always been promoted as a world-class destination.
Generations of honeymooners helped the city attain that coveted status, but that’s only a fraction of the people who keep coming from around the globe to enjoy the natural wonder here.

January 31, 2012
EDITORIAL: SPCA off to good start
We were pleased to see members of the SPCA of Niagara’s board of directors take swift action and fire Executive Director John Faso on Monday.

January 30, 2012
EDITORIAL: SPCA's Faso, board must go
There’s no question now that SPCA of Niagara John Faso must go — along with most or all of the agency’s board of directors.

January 29, 2012
EDITORIAL: A good start for NFR
Thank you, Mr. Milstein
We are delighted to hear that long-time Niagara Falls landowner Howard Milstein is reaching out to one of our elementary schools and offering a helping hand.

January 28, 2012
EDITORIAL: Time Warner is on thin ice
In a high stakes game of chicken between cable network MSG and the region’s largest cable TV provider Time Warner Cable, the only people losing right now are hockey fans the region over.

January 4, 2012
EDITORIAL: Time to take action on SPCA
Although the dust still has to settle around the horrific complaints by a former employee of the Niagara County SPCA and others, we were discouraged to learn that the animal shelter is still struggling with a lack of leadership.

January 3, 2012 1 Photo
EDITORIAL: The bus stops here — and let's keep it that way
The NFTA’s proposed cuts to local bus routes have the potential to really hurt the little guy, the rider who relies on the bus to get to work, to shop, to get to the doctor’s.
It just shouldn’t happen.

December 28, 2011
More Editorials Headlines

Editorials

Search Results

EDITORIAL: NYPA could energize Experience Center

Site Map

Contact Us