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.
