How would YOU save Niagara Falls?

The place to talk about the world famous waterfall attraction, the tourism, and the condition of each side of the border.

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Matt
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You have just been elected Mayor. An upturn in the economy and increase in international visitors and students has given you a little bit of financial wiggle in the budget. You may not have the funds to turn things around fast and furious with a huge project, but you can at least get a start, and perhaps some State grants will help.

Keep this in mind:
1. The roads, sans the immediate area around the Falls, are in shambles.
2. International visitors are a potential cash cow.
3. The grand idea of adding a Casino, and how that will bring in business nearby, has utterly failed. Virtually all surrounding shops and restaurants surrounding the casino have gone vacant since its arrival.
4. Canada is on the other side, laughing at you.

What are 3 initiatives you plan to implement as mayor?
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hobkyl
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1. Update infrastructure-agreed, the roads are in a serious state of disrepair.
2. Bring in as many stores, restaurants, and novelty activities as possible. There is literally nothing to do on the US side. A good majority of US citizens don't currently hold a passport or enhanced driver's license. A good majority of those may not even be allowed to cross the border. Give Americans something to do on this side other than just get a side view of the falls and dinner at Denny's.
3. Build affordable "luxury" housing in the area to hopefully bring in more middle class families and push the hood further out to the outskirts.

Of course, all this relies on state funding to improve and rebirth the area. Not sure if the mayor single handily is capable of such a monumental transformation.
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ApproachingLight
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Three things?
1.) Reduce taxes
2.) Reduce taxes
3.) Reduce taxes

Look at the union/political history of Niagara Falls
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Matt
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Here's my plan...

Phase I = Increase day tourism infrastructure. Mayors don't have much power to open stores and bring in vendors. Nor can they lower taxes easily. But they can purchase land and build public works projects, and those are magnets for grants. My plan would be to give Canada a run for its money. It will be one addition per year for a number of years, until the number of day tourism attractions allows for an expanding overnight accommodation market. My day-time strategy? Shopping. It's one of the main draws for Canadians. And we don't want just money from the US visitors, we want to prevent Canadians, who already cross the border, from shopping in the outlet mall several towns or counties over. After that, Attractions. Give everyone a killer reason to stop. Build up these reasons from a few quick stops, to several days worth of activities.

My projects would start with a Native American Museum and Art Gallery. A massive one. 75% gallery, 25% retail. Give local native american artists and craftsman a permanent home to display and sell their work. Yes, on the side of the boarder where all the crimes against humanity took place, where we break treaties because we knew they couldn't read them, and where we make treaties when we want you to build casinos. This time we will respect your history and art and give it a showcase it. Why this first? Benefactors will be plentiful, unique retail is needed, grant money is easy to get.

Tear down the old rainbow mall/lot. Nothing will ever happen there. Build a modern plaza with small retail spaces (similar to Ithaca Commons), dozens of small part-time-sized shops, and moderate restaurant space. Make the rent low, and limit only the anchor spaces to national chains. Permanently loan spaces to the business/hospitality programs of the local college and allow them to run a few businesses as part of their programs. All other space is cheaply rented for local entrepreneurships who want to try out low-risk business opportunities. Display local art in the courtyard. Book local musicians to play nightly.

Build a world-class attraction through the parks department. Niagara Reservation State Park should be a national park/monument. If I can't get the fed to take it over, I work with NYS Parks to get it up to speed. How does one generate the revenue when this side of the river is considered the worse of the views? Give it the better view. How? Inspiration from out west.
My killer project:
[spoiler]A skywalk right over Bridal Veil Falls from Goat island into Luna Island.
Image
Image
Build it and they will come.[/spoiler]

Outlet Mall and Shopping Mall expansion. Give them tax breaks and what they need for all improvements and expansions. The goal would be to bring in a developer to build a mall complex close to the falls, but first work with what we have.

Phase II = Beef up the Parks. The US side has amazing parks. But they are so run down, that no one really cares about them. 2013 starts out with sizable funding from the state to fix a lot of things with Niagara Reservation. Whirlpool, Deveil's Hole and inner city parks need major improvements. They need pavilions, historic signage, wireless hotspots, concessions, and attractions.
I outline major improvements I would make for each:

Niagara Reservation: Parking is a nightmare. Starting in 2013. Free Parking. Not only does the park have the land with half the parkway closed, but this will boom visitors to the park and to neighboring businesses. Construct rows of booths in the park for day time vendors to sell snacks, handmade crafts, art, and gifts. The park system cannot rely on an elusive contract to one vendor to run all their shops and restaurants. It's abysmal, and the money flies out of state. Contract with a local business to fill those restaurants with local flavor. Bring in shows, and give people something to watch/do when they are tired of the falls. Historic and natural history signage everywhere. An interactive and educational exhibit on Tesla, Edison, and the importance of Niagara to popularization of Electricity. And a world-class hotel...similar to those that grace our best national parks. Tear down that Shitty Top-of-the-Falls plaza and bring in a resort company to build a 5-star resort that pays homage to its location. We do this in national parks. Why not here?

Whirlpool - Repair the trails. Build a stable and safe platform along the whirlpool like the Canadians did, and promote the crap out of this park. Start charging parking.
In the future, consider a skywalk on the upper rapids.

Devil's Hole - Repair the trails, combine it with Whirlpool park.

Phase III - Overnight DestinationThe hotel resort a top of the falls, located within the park, would be the first step in allowing the hotel industry to go. City projects alone would not be enough to sustain an overnight tourism industry, but I would hope the initiative would spark other projects. Inviting hotel companies to develop comes with the continued development of day attractions and an infrastructure to support overnight stays. The convention center would need to be modernized and promoted. Perhaps a second one built. Temporary, seasonal reduction of hotel taxes would help convince developers to move in (no reason why hotel taxes should be so high in winter).
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ApproachingLight
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I think i read that Niagra Falls has not voted for a mayor in years.

Clearly they have found one. I vote for you Matt!!!!

I researched the history of Niagra Falls after posting. Really tragic. Matt you have some ideas, i'll contribute to your campaign if you run!


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Des219
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It would not be easy, since the largest advantage that the Canadian side has that the US cannot create is the view. We went and enjoyed the US activities more than the Canadian activities, however we stayed in a Canadian hotel that had a spectacular view of both falls.

The US advantages are: "The Cave of the Winds" nothing compares in my opinion, the ease of access for Americans, less people, the little islands above the falls, and possibly less expensive.
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Matt
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I think on the US side you get very close to the brink and even inbetween falls. I would stay canadian side too. Are there even any stand-out hotels on the US side?
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Des219
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I agree the US experience is amazing. And I can't think of any hotels worth mentioning.
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