USA NIAGARA: A look at the strategic plan

Related Photos

February 1, 2009

Staff Reports The Niagara Gazette Sun Feb 01, 2009, 09:49 PM EST

Plan of Action

An overview of the key areas of development listed in USA Niagara’s 2002 strategic plan:

1. Niagara Aerospace Museum: Opened in Seneca Office Building in 2002. Moved out of Falls and to Buffalo last year.

2. The United Office Building Restoration: Now known as The Giacomo, $10 million renovation project continues.

3. Key cultural attractions/Niagara Experience Center: $100 million plan still on radar.

4. Falls Street Faire reuse as Niagara Falls conference center: $20 million renovation complete. Facility opened in 2004.

5. The Turtle site: Owned by Niagara Falls Redevelopment. No announced plans for reuse.

6. Rainbow Mall reuse: Leased from city by Baltimore developer, Cordish Corp. No announced plans for reuse.

7. Wintergarden renovations: Slated for demolition as part of West Pedestrian Mall improvement.

8. Oxy building/AquaFalls site: Now One Niagara. Owned by developer Frank Parlato.

9. Temporary casino: Opened in 2002 in the old Niagara Falls Convention Center.

10. Reservoir development: Plan for improved parking in area bounded by Third Street, Rainbow Blvd. and Falls Street Faire.

11. Third Street revitalization: $3.7 million renovation completed in 2005.

12. Future development site: Area between First, Main, Ferry, Third and Niagara streets targeted for improvement.

13. Falls Street Station: Long-time home to TeleTech, houses 400-room Crowne Plaza suites.

14. Revitalization of historic district near state park: Planned development for bed and breakfast corridor along Buffalo Avenue.

15. Residential/lodging revitalization: Proposed upgrade for area bordered by state park, Robert Moses Parkway and Rainbow Blvd.

16. International Entry Corridor: Beautification plan for entrance to Canada.

17. Southern Gateway Project: Call for stone pedestrian bridge to link areas of park separated by Robert Moses Parkway.

18. Jefferson Apartment expansion: Renovated building offers apartments for rent, home to Ashker’s Third Street Cafe.

19. Downtown infill development: Reuse plan for pockets of vacant property near casino.

20. New lodging/entertainment: Property conveyed to Seneca Nation.

21. Additional lodging/entertainment: Seneca site development.

22. Seneca development: Ongoing.

23. Seneca development: Ongoing.

24. Permanent casino: Called for “Las Vegas style” casino to either replace or augment temporary facility.

25. Transportation Services Zone: Plan to accommodate bus traffic at the northeastern terminus of John Daly Blvd.

26. Hotel development between Buffalo Avenue and state park: Identifies as area for new hotel.

The complete development strategy report can be viewed at www.usaniagara.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Grading USA Niagara

USA NIAGARA: Diplomacy key for agency USA Niagara Development Corp. arrived on the scene in 2001 armed with some potentially powerful tools for dealing with one of the city’s most-pressing concerns: downtown land owners who have for years sat idle on their vacant properties.
February 4, 2009 2 Photos
USA NIAGARA: Erasing the past, painting the future Christopher Schoepflin gets a good look at downtown Niagara Falls at least five days a week.

From his office on the seventh floor of the Giacomo — formerly known as the United Office Building — Schoepflin has a bird’s eye view of many of downtown’s problem areas, places where buildings remain vacant and properties are still not being used to their full potential.
February 4, 2009 2 Photos
USA NIAGARA: Bistro, collection agency among projects not realized World-renowned chef Walter Potenza came to Niagara Falls last year looking to open a bistro restaurant and bar in the downtown area.

He left with a bitter taste in his mouth after a few interviews with USA Niagara Development Corp. officials.
February 3, 2009 1 Photo
STREET TALK: Future USA Niagara <img src="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/media/audio/Listen-sig20.gif" border="0"> Q: What should USA Niagara do next to develop downtown Niagara Falls?
February 3, 2009 1 Photo
USA NIAGARA: Spreading the wealth Here is how nearly $60 million in state funding has been allocated through USA Niagara Development Corp.
February 3, 2009 5 Photos
USA NIAGARA: Learning from past mistakes Of all USA Niagara’s projects, the reconstruction of Third Street has garnered the most attention — and not in the way the agency had hoped.

The entertainment corridor has failed to live up to its billing and more businesses have closed than opened since the project wrapped up in 2005.
February 2, 2009 1 Photo
USA NIAGARA: On the right path? The scene at the west pedestrian mall this past fall was a typical one in Niagara Falls.

Dozens of politicians decked out in three-piece suits congratulated each other and signaled a new dawning for a city that has been promised that so many times before.
February 2, 2009 1 Photo
USA NIAGARA: A look at the strategic plan An overview of the key areas of development listed in USA Niagara’s 2002 strategic plan
February 1, 2009 1 Photo
USA NIAGARA: The ‘Times Square’ promise Former Gov. George Pataki signaled the beginning of a “new chapter” in the history of Niagara Falls in January of 2001 — the formation of USA Niagara Development Corp.

The division of the state economic development department was formed with the express purpose of bringing a “brighter and stronger” future to the city’s downtown business district.
February 1, 2009 1 Photo
STREET TALK: Third Street's future <img src="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/media/audio/Listen-sig20.gif" border="0"> Q: What needs to be done to transform 3rd Street into a permanent entertainment district.
January 31, 2009

Grading USA Niagara

Search Results

Related Photos

USA NIAGARA: A look at the strategic plan

Site Map

Contact Us