Mayor Paul Dyster is calling on the New York Power Authority to supply the city of Niagara Falls with some significant financial help.

During a press conference Thursday near the power authority intakes just west of the Grand Island Bridge, Dyster unveiled the details of a $120 million economic development package he has asked the authority to support.

The proposal is divided into two areas, with $100 million to be dedicated to redevelopment efforts in the city’s downtown tourist district and another $20 million set aside for brownfield regeneration and environmentally friendly manufacturing projects.

The release of the mayor’s funding request follows the December announcement of a financing agreement that will result in the power authority supplying $105 million for waterfront redevelopment in the City of Buffalo.

Dyster welcomes the authority’s investment in neighboring Buffalo and is expecting the same sort of financial commitment for redevelopment efforts in Niagara Falls.

“We believe that for the investments in Buffalo to bring their full return, something has to be done about the point of initial entry for all these millions of visitors to Western New York and that is downtown Niagara Falls,” Dyster said.

Dyster referenced work done by U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, a Democrat from Buffalo, who was instrumental in forcing the authority to provide additional funds to Buffalo during the negotiations over a new federal license for the Robert Moses Power Project in Lewiston. Citing figures released by Higgins’ office, Dyster said the authority enjoyed a surplus in 2008 of $309 million, 76 percent of which was directly attributable to the Niagara Power Project. Dyster said estimates provided by Higgins’ office suggest 14 percent of the economic benefit accrues in Western New York.

The mayor said his plan is intended to be viewed by the authority as an offer to partner with the city on projects like the Buffalo waterfront effort that will create jobs, spur regional economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents in Western New York.

“In every instance, we have sought to advance only those proposals that have a truly regional impact — projects that are true game-changers and can help lift our state and region out of the current economic doldrums,” Dyster said. “We strongly believe that — whether the topic is the tourism economy or green industrial development — as goes Niagara Falls, so goes not only Niagara County, but to a large extent, Western New York as a whole.”

The city’s proposal does not identify specific projects, but does ask the authority to make available up to $120 million to fund, in whole or in part, projects targeted in the city’s comprehensive plan. That plan includes several high-profile projects, including the proposed Niagara Experience Center and the expansion of the Aquarium of Niagara. The city also has asked the authority to support brownfield redevelopment projects on Porter Road, Buffalo Avenue and in the Highland Avenue area.

Dyster said the city has discussed its proposal as part of its ongoing dialog with power authority Chairman Richie Kessel and he’s confident the plan will receive serious consideration.

“I think we all understand that the clock is ticking in terms of what we are trying to accomplish here,” Dyster said.

Power authority spokesperson Christine Pritchard said officials already have held preliminary discussions with Dyster on the proposal and look forward to working together on the matter in the future.

“While NYPA is working toward a comprehensive resolution for the entire county, we absolutely are looking to do something for the City of Niagara Falls,” she said.