Local News
NIAGARA FALLS: Grand plans for Hotel Niagara
The new owners of the old Hotel Niagara have lofty expectations of what the building will be by this time next year.
“We’re going to do everything we can to create a four-star hotel,” said project architect David Giusiana. “The intention here is to be the finest hotel in Niagara Falls.”
Built in 1924, the historic 12-story, masonry structure on Rainbow Boulevard had been a social and civic hub of Niagara Falls for several decades before undergoing numerous ownership changes and falling into disrepair. James T. Cook and his wife Judith of the Houston-based Amidee Hotels and Resorts, Inc., purchased the building through an auction last July for $4.6 million and plan to spend another $15.2 million to transform the hotel back to its glory days.
Interior work started this past week, Giusiana said, and a soft opening is anticipated by next April. Once completed, the hotel will feature all of the original 193 rooms refurbished, along with a 4,500-square-foot grand ballroom, boutique retail, spa and fitness center, multiple restaurants and a rooftop club overlooking the Falls.
To assist in the renovation, a $3.5 million incentive package is being provided by USA Niagara, a subsidiary of Empire State Development Corp. In addition, the Niagara Falls City Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to provide the owners with a $500,000 grant.
The $500,000, which would be taken from casino money set aside by the city to award business grants, is the same amount being proposed for a renovation project at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel just down the road from Hotel Niagara. Councilmembers tabled that request last month.
Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said the $500,000 allocation for Hotel Niagara is a wise use of casino money as it will spur economic development and create upwards of 100 construction jobs and 130 full-time jobs and 190 seasonal part-time jobs once the hotel opens.
“The long-term benefit to the city is tremendous,” he said.
The Amidee project team, including Giusiana Architects & Engineer of Lewiston and KTA Preservation Specialists, will also seek state and national historic preservation status for the building, which will make it eligible for other grant money and tax credits. Hotel Niagara is one of the few remaining structures that pre-date urban renewal-related demolition activities in downtown Niagara Falls.
Giusiana gave an overview of the project Wednesday to the city’s Planning Board. Another presentation, which will include details on how the renovation will increase the tax base, will be made at Monday’s council meeting prior to the vote.
City Planner Thomas DeSantis said the city and Amidee have been working together for the past year in bringing the project to fruition.
“The more quality rooms we can add downtown the better off we will all be,” DeSantis said. “The owners are very excited to be here and very excited to get this project under way.”
Contact reporter Rick Forgione
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AFTERNOON UPDATE for March 17
A look at the news in today's — and tomorrow's Gazette
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NIAGARA FALLS: Police, ATF pick up gang members
Two gang members being sought in connection with the recent rash of violence in the city were picked up Monday and Tuesday by Falls police.
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HOUSING AUTHORITY: Bringing in the garbage
The Niagara Falls Housing Authority will spend $94,000 on a garbage collection system upgrade at Packard Court and Jordan Gardens.
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LEW-PORT: Students, teachers defend programs
A parent defending Advanced Placement classes, young musicians telling the school board of their love for the trumpet and a high school principal recognizing hard-working students and the best graduation rate in Niagara County, all brought resounding applause to the crowd of more than 95 teachers, parents and taxpayers at Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Lewiston-Porter school board.
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LEW-PORT: District targeted for audit
The office of the State Comptroller has begun an audit of the Lewiston-Porter School District, a representative told the Niagara Gazette Tuesday.
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NIAGARA FALLS: Some Orchard Parkway, Chilton Avenue residents skeptical of designation
Supporters of a plan to create an historic district for the Chilton Avenue and Orchard Parkway neighborhood are hoping to present their project to a state review board in a matter of months.
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BLOTTER: Police reports published March 17
Police are investigating an assault in the 2700 block of Forest Avenue.
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NIAGARA FALLS: Health commish keeps pushing sugar tax
Reports of the death of Gov. David Paterson’s proposed tax on sugary drinks may be premature.
That was the message New York’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Richard Daines, delivered in a Tuesday meeting with the Niagara Gazette editorial board. -
STATE POLICE: Trio of troopers honored
Senior Investigator Joseph Commisso and Investigator Alan Harshany from the Seneca Niagara Casino and Trooper Joseph Raimondi from the State Police Niagara Barracks in the Town of Niagara were honored for their work with the U.S. Secret Service in helping break up a large scale identity theft ring.
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NIAGARA FALLS: Gunplay grabs spotlight at community forum
Niagara Falls police Chief John Chella said Monday he’s “disturbed” by the type of violence he’s seen lately on the city’s streets.
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