NIAGARA FALLS —
The city will forge ahead with an earlier plan to develop vending areas in the glassed-enclosed walkway lining a portion of Old Falls Street.
Fran Iusi, director of the city’s NFC Development Corp., told city lawmakers last week that negotiations have been suspended with the owners of an Old Falls Street building who expressed an interest in turning their property into some type of retail site. As a result, Iusi said the city will now turn its attention back to a storefront concept it started to pursue before those talks began.
“Unfortunately, after numerous correspondence back and forth with the attorneys and multiple meetings with the property owners, we were not able to come to terms with them regarding the storefront area so we are taking steps to move this project forward,” Iusi said.
The city set aside $200,000 last fall to cover costs associated with its original plan to develop small food and souvenir vending sites inside the walkway area. The project was put on hold earlier this year after the city was approached by the owners of the old Teletech Inc. call center building who said they were interested in using their space for some type of retail venture.
Before negotiations began, the city had hoped to have its walkway project completed by April. Once talks started, Iusi conceded the project would likely not happen in time for the July 4 weekend. This week, Iusi said under the new timeframe she expects the area to be finished in time to accommodate vendors before the start of the tourism season next spring.
“Barring any unforeseen construction issues, we should be ready to go,” Iusi said.
Iusi said the first step in the transformation process will involve an asbestos evaluation and abatement. Both she and Mayor Paul Dyster said they are confident enough work will be done in the weeks ahead to allow Mark Rivers, the developer of the upcoming Holiday Market, to use the space in some capacity this winter. The 36-day market is scheduled to begin the day after Thanksgiving on Old Falls Street.
“Mark Rivers is aware of the situation there,” Dyster said. “He will help us program that space so we can do something with it this winter.”
Local News
City going with earlier plan for vending areas along Old Falls Street
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