Niagara Falls Development News - Page 4

veryprotourism · September 29th, 2006, 03:20 PM

no im definately refering to the one between washburn and locust on the south side of downtown. is there still a daycare center in that building on the washburn street side?

when i was growing up that building was far from vacant. it still held some harrison offices as well as that daycare and a few nonprofit orginizations. what happened?

i honestly haven't been to lockport in almost ten years, but from what i remember the biggest problem with that area of lockport was crime on the block of genesee st directly to the south of this building.

Jerome · October 3rd, 2006, 03:18 PM

Public safety building look unveiled

Columns on new courthouse and police station would evoke power dam.

By Denise Jewell
Niagara Gazette

Architects unveiled schematic designs for a new courthouse and police station Monday that show a glass and stone expanse with a Main Street entrance marked by 62-foot concrete columns designed to evoke the penstocks of the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant dam.

The four illuminated columns would be separated by glass and would support a wide canopy above an entrance with several steps. To the left, the second and third floors of the courthouse would be wrapped in glass with grooves meant to emulate cascades of water.

The front of the two-story police wing would be covered with stone or a fabricated material that reflects the look of the layers of rock in the Niagara Gorge.

The 126,000-square-foot building would be located between South and Cleveland avenues and would be set back from the street by a green space with grass, trees and blocks of concrete. A public parking lot would be located behind existing buildings between South and Michigan avenues.

“We want to strengthen Main Street,” said Gerry Lang, a design principal for the architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum. “We don’t want to drop a building in the middle of the block that would obliterate it.”

David Chiazza, vice president of Ciminelli Development Co., told a volunteer advisory board overseeing the project that the updated construction costs for the building based on the schematic designs was within the $27 million construction budget laid out in an agreement between the design team and the city.

The team has estimated the total cost of the project including property acquisition and demolition will be $42 million.

The state’s Office of Court Administration has mandated that the city address facility problems in its public safety building on Hyde Park Boulevard. The proposed building would replace that facility. It would house city courts, the jail and police headquarters.

Designs show a two-story public atrium. Elevators in the center of the court facility would bring prisoners up from the jail or an enclosed garage to the courtrooms so that they would not interact with the public.

Several members of the advisory board said they were pleased with the proposed design. The city will have 15 days to comment on the plans.

The city will also hold public hearings on the proposal during a review of the building’s environmental impact required by the state.

“It’s a lot better than what we have now,” Chief City Court Clerk Martha Farbo-Lincoln said. “We’re actually very pleased

Link to rendering: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local...rces_photoview

Jerome · October 3rd, 2006, 03:35 PM

'Oz' plan awaits impact statement
By THAD KOMOROWSKI
NIAGARA CORRESPONDENT
10/2/2006

WHEATFIELD - The environmental-impact statement on the controversial "Wizard of Oz" theme park project is expected to be made public this month. Town Supervisor Timothy E. Demler and John Simon, chief operating officer for Oz Central, confirmed that the first draft of the statement would be available for viewing soon.
"It should be completed in the next three weeks and be released in the month of October," Simon said last week. The statement "is moving along nicely and systematically."

He said the statement would encompass "a tremendous number of findings."

Demler, who said he expected the statement in early October, also stressed that he is eager to commit all parties to use the related sales tax revenue for property tax relief.

The statement, in the works for nearly seven months, would list all the concerns about the impact the project would have on the surrounding area and how developers plan to address those concerns.

The draft document would then go back to the town Planning Board.

The great majority of the concerns came out of a public scoping session held May 1, when several hundred residents met with developers and town officials to discuss how the proposed theme park would affect Wheatfield.

Residents at the meeting seemed as concerned about the positive impact as about the negative. Although many residents asked for safeguards against noise, pollution, traffic and possible decrease in some property values, there also was a call for property tax relief and revenue retention at the local level.

Oz Central wants to turn 800 acres behind the Summit mall into a theme park with hotels, restaurants and other commercial ventures based on the books of L. Frank Baum.

The location of the park at the end of the LaSalle Expressway would put it within range of some of the millions of tourists who visit Niagara Falls every year. Many of the attractions in the park would be used year-round.

Promoted as one of the most technically advanced theme parks in the world by the developers, it would cost nearly $750 million to build and would generate $50 million to $60 million a year in sales tax revenue, its backers contend.

Demler said he would fight to apply the Niagara County share of the sales tax revenue directly to county property taxes rather than for "more grants" or "job creations."

"I will ask the county to dedicate all of the money for tax relief," Demler said. "In fact, I will demand it, or else I will go to the state to pre-empt the revenue."

If the county did not agree, Demler said, he would fight to keep all the money in Wheatfield and fund the town's entire budget for a few years.

"We will do what the [Seneca Niagara] casino [compact] never did - keep the money in the home community," Demler said. "Wheatfield will be in the driver's seat with this project."

gmb · October 4th, 2006, 04:20 PM

Hey guys... i want your advice. I'm planning to relocate in Niagara Falls, New York & I just wanna know if there are U/P or high rise condo for sale in Niagara Falls? Which is safer to live... Niagara Falls or Buffalo in terms of driving in snow? I've heard that Buffalo is always hit by heavy snow.

Jerome · October 4th, 2006, 04:59 PM

Much, much less snow in Niagara Falls/Lewiston area than in Buffalo Erie County area.

Average snowfall in Niagara Falls NY is 53 inches, Lewiston average is 48 inches.

Buffalo (airport) average snowfall is 93 inches, Lancaster/Elma area 110 inches. Southtown's 150 -210 inches.

ExWNY'er · October 4th, 2006, 06:40 PM

The city of Buffalo and downtown don't get nearly the amount of snow that the Southtowns (OP, Hamburg) do. If you lived and worked in downtown Buffalo, you'll be in better shape. I don't know much about Niagara Falls and snow. You'll face slippery roads everywhere, but the road services in the area are great at clearing roads.

ECoastTransplant · October 4th, 2006, 07:14 PM

New Niagara Falls, NY courthouse and police HQs- to be located on Main Street in the North End:

Spaulding97 · October 4th, 2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmb

Hey guys... i want your advice. I'm planning to relocate in Niagara Falls, New York & I just wanna know if there are U/P or high rise condo for sale in Niagara Falls? Which is safer to live... Niagara Falls or Buffalo in terms of driving in snow? I've heard that Buffalo is always hit by heavy snow.

There arent any high rise condos yet in NF, but there are numerous lofts and condos in downtown Buffalo. NF is about 20 miles away if u have to commute. NF has a very Ghetto area and is very sketchy. Buffalo there are some real nice areas and neighborhoods. There hundreds of shops and restaurants. Buffalo gets a bad rap on the snow thing.Its not as bad as everyone says. IMO, buffalo would be your best bet.

gmb · October 5th, 2006, 04:34 AM

Thanks Spaulding97... i really appreciate it !!! How bad is the snow in Buffalo? Do you really wait for days just for the road to be cleared up? I'm afraid i can't go to work (hehehe).

gmb · October 5th, 2006, 04:37 AM

Jerome & ExWNY'er... thanks also

DallasTexan · October 5th, 2006, 04:42 AM

Where are you from, gmb?

Spaulding97 · October 5th, 2006, 06:00 PM

[QUOTE=gmb;10056135]Thanks Spaulding97... i really appreciate it !!! How bad is the snow in Buffalo? Do you really wait for days just for the road to be cleared up? I'm afraid i can't go to work (hehehe).[/QUOTE

No if it does snow, then its usually plowed that day or over night. Keep in mind that Buffalo has the best plowers in the nation and work round clock to get the roads and highways clear. I can only remember a couple times when it gets that bad that you have to stay at home for days. and if that is the case theneverything is closed, including work! Plus it doesnt snow here all year round. snow comes from mid-late November to early march. I wouldnt worry about the snow, especially if you ski or enjoy winter becuase its beautiful at times here.

sargeantcm · October 5th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Huh, my earlier post seems to have disappeared...

Anyways, as I had said earlier, a couple more misconceptions of Buffalo/WNY winters are temperature and how much snow is on the ground at any given moment. Temperature-wise, I think the city averages 3 days a year with a low under 0°, which is pretty decent for the interior northeast. Hence why we get all the snow. As for the snow, it's not like there are 100 inches on the ground at once, it snows 1-3 inches, melts, 1-3 more, melts, etc. Except for snowbanks in the mall parking lot or something, the snow is usually completely recycled 3-4 times a winter, at least.

I think some of you are confusing 'Southtowns' with 'Ski Country' as well. They are not one and the same...

It's like calling Springville a suburb.

DallasTexan · October 5th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Lies, winter is scary! SCARY!!!

sargeantcm · October 5th, 2006, 07:02 PM

If you think last winter was scary...

...you got another thing commin'.

Might very well be a 'real' winter, as it were. Face it, last winter was a dud.

Spaulding97 · October 5th, 2006, 07:37 PM

^

i think your right. Think about this, this september was the 2nd most rain amount for the month just behind sep of 77. now we all know what happened that year. just behind this sep of 06 is sep of 95, remember how bad that winter was!!?

get ready for some closings!

DallasTexan · October 5th, 2006, 08:07 PM

My car got snow on it last year. SALT TOO!!!

DallasTexan · October 5th, 2006, 08:09 PM

And how could have last winter been a dud?! We had snow on the ground for like, months! :faint:

sargeantcm · October 5th, 2006, 08:15 PM

Where the hell were you?

I remember no snow on the ground for most of February. FEBRUARY!!!!!

sargeantcm · October 5th, 2006, 08:17 PM

Oublepe Ostde!

October 3rd, 2006, 03:35 PM	#63
Jerome BANNED Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Niagara Frontier Posts: 1,826 Likes (Received): 0	'Oz' plan awaits impact statement By THAD KOMOROWSKI NIAGARA CORRESPONDENT 10/2/2006 WHEATFIELD - The environmental-impact statement on the controversial "Wizard of Oz" theme park project is expected to be made public this month. Town Supervisor Timothy E. Demler and John Simon, chief operating officer for Oz Central, confirmed that the first draft of the statement would be available for viewing soon. "It should be completed in the next three weeks and be released in the month of October," Simon said last week. The statement "is moving along nicely and systematically." He said the statement would encompass "a tremendous number of findings." Demler, who said he expected the statement in early October, also stressed that he is eager to commit all parties to use the related sales tax revenue for property tax relief. The statement, in the works for nearly seven months, would list all the concerns about the impact the project would have on the surrounding area and how developers plan to address those concerns. The draft document would then go back to the town Planning Board. The great majority of the concerns came out of a public scoping session held May 1, when several hundred residents met with developers and town officials to discuss how the proposed theme park would affect Wheatfield. Residents at the meeting seemed as concerned about the positive impact as about the negative. Although many residents asked for safeguards against noise, pollution, traffic and possible decrease in some property values, there also was a call for property tax relief and revenue retention at the local level. Oz Central wants to turn 800 acres behind the Summit mall into a theme park with hotels, restaurants and other commercial ventures based on the books of L. Frank Baum. The location of the park at the end of the LaSalle Expressway would put it within range of some of the millions of tourists who visit Niagara Falls every year. Many of the attractions in the park would be used year-round. Promoted as one of the most technically advanced theme parks in the world by the developers, it would cost nearly $750 million to build and would generate $50 million to $60 million a year in sales tax revenue, its backers contend. Demler said he would fight to apply the Niagara County share of the sales tax revenue directly to county property taxes rather than for "more grants" or "job creations." "I will ask the county to dedicate all of the money for tax relief," Demler said. "In fact, I will demand it, or else I will go to the state to pre-empt the revenue." If the county did not agree, Demler said, he would fight to keep all the money in Wheatfield and fund the town's entire budget for a few years. "We will do what the [Seneca Niagara] casino [compact] never did - keep the money in the home community," Demler said. "Wheatfield will be in the driver's seat with this project." Last edited by Jerome; October 3rd, 2006 at 03:43 PM.

October 4th, 2006, 07:14 PM	#67
ECoastTransplant Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 2,272 Likes (Received): 1	New Niagara Falls, NY courthouse and police HQs- to be located on Main Street in the North End: __________________ www.buffalorising.com

October 5th, 2006, 06:58 PM	#73
sargeantcm Hee Hee! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Buffalonian by day, Asleepian by night Posts: 3,060 Likes (Received): 0	Huh, my earlier post seems to have disappeared... Anyways, as I had said earlier, a couple more misconceptions of Buffalo/WNY winters are temperature and how much snow is on the ground at any given moment. Temperature-wise, I think the city averages 3 days a year with a low under 0°, which is pretty decent for the interior northeast. Hence why we get all the snow. As for the snow, it's not like there are 100 inches on the ground at once, it snows 1-3 inches, melts, 1-3 more, melts, etc. Except for snowbanks in the mall parking lot or something, the snow is usually completely recycled 3-4 times a winter, at least. I think some of you are confusing 'Southtowns' with 'Ski Country' as well. They are not one and the same... It's like calling Springville a suburb. Last edited by sargeantcm; October 5th, 2006 at 07:05 PM.

October 5th, 2006, 08:17 PM	#80
sargeantcm Hee Hee! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Buffalonian by day, Asleepian by night Posts: 3,060 Likes (Received): 0	Oublepe Ostde! Last edited by sargeantcm; October 6th, 2006 at 04:54 AM.

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September 29th, 2006, 03:20 PM	#61
veryprotourism registered boozer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: upstate disgruntled Posts: 1,099 Likes (Received): 0	no im definately refering to the one between washburn and locust on the south side of downtown. is there still a daycare center in that building on the washburn street side? when i was growing up that building was far from vacant. it still held some harrison offices as well as that daycare and a few nonprofit orginizations. what happened? i honestly haven't been to lockport in almost ten years, but from what i remember the biggest problem with that area of lockport was crime on the block of genesee st directly to the south of this building.

October 3rd, 2006, 03:18 PM	#62
Jerome BANNED Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Niagara Frontier Posts: 1,826 Likes (Received): 0	Public safety building look unveiled Columns on new courthouse and police station would evoke power dam. By Denise Jewell Niagara Gazette Architects unveiled schematic designs for a new courthouse and police station Monday that show a glass and stone expanse with a Main Street entrance marked by 62-foot concrete columns designed to evoke the penstocks of the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant dam. The four illuminated columns would be separated by glass and would support a wide canopy above an entrance with several steps. To the left, the second and third floors of the courthouse would be wrapped in glass with grooves meant to emulate cascades of water. The front of the two-story police wing would be covered with stone or a fabricated material that reflects the look of the layers of rock in the Niagara Gorge. The 126,000-square-foot building would be located between South and Cleveland avenues and would be set back from the street by a green space with grass, trees and blocks of concrete. A public parking lot would be located behind existing buildings between South and Michigan avenues. “We want to strengthen Main Street,” said Gerry Lang, a design principal for the architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum. “We don’t want to drop a building in the middle of the block that would obliterate it.” David Chiazza, vice president of Ciminelli Development Co., told a volunteer advisory board overseeing the project that the updated construction costs for the building based on the schematic designs was within the $27 million construction budget laid out in an agreement between the design team and the city. The team has estimated the total cost of the project including property acquisition and demolition will be $42 million. The state’s Office of Court Administration has mandated that the city address facility problems in its public safety building on Hyde Park Boulevard. The proposed building would replace that facility. It would house city courts, the jail and police headquarters. Designs show a two-story public atrium. Elevators in the center of the court facility would bring prisoners up from the jail or an enclosed garage to the courtrooms so that they would not interact with the public. Several members of the advisory board said they were pleased with the proposed design. The city will have 15 days to comment on the plans. The city will also hold public hearings on the proposal during a review of the building’s environmental impact required by the state. “It’s a lot better than what we have now,” Chief City Court Clerk Martha Farbo-Lincoln said. “We’re actually very pleased Link to rendering: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local...rces_photoview

October 4th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#64
gmb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 42 Likes (Received): 0	Hey guys... i want your advice. I'm planning to relocate in Niagara Falls, New York & I just wanna know if there are U/P or high rise condo for sale in Niagara Falls? Which is safer to live... Niagara Falls or Buffalo in terms of driving in snow? I've heard that Buffalo is always hit by heavy snow.

October 4th, 2006, 04:59 PM	#65
Jerome BANNED Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Niagara Frontier Posts: 1,826 Likes (Received): 0	Much, much less snow in Niagara Falls/Lewiston area than in Buffalo Erie County area. Average snowfall in Niagara Falls NY is 53 inches, Lewiston average is 48 inches. Buffalo (airport) average snowfall is 93 inches, Lancaster/Elma area 110 inches. Southtown's 150 -210 inches.

October 4th, 2006, 06:40 PM	#66
ExWNY'er Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,086 Likes (Received): 0	The city of Buffalo and downtown don't get nearly the amount of snow that the Southtowns (OP, Hamburg) do. If you lived and worked in downtown Buffalo, you'll be in better shape. I don't know much about Niagara Falls and snow. You'll face slippery roads everywhere, but the road services in the area are great at clearing roads.

October 5th, 2006, 04:34 AM	#69
gmb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 42 Likes (Received): 0	Thanks Spaulding97... i really appreciate it !!! How bad is the snow in Buffalo? Do you really wait for days just for the road to be cleared up? I'm afraid i can't go to work (hehehe).

October 5th, 2006, 04:37 AM	#70
gmb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 42 Likes (Received): 0	Jerome & ExWNY'er... thanks also

October 5th, 2006, 04:42 AM	#71
DallasTexan Texas'd! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,324 Likes (Received): 0	Where are you from, gmb?

October 5th, 2006, 06:00 PM	#72
Spaulding97 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Buffalo Posts: 804 Likes (Received): 0	[QUOTE=gmb;10056135]Thanks Spaulding97... i really appreciate it !!! How bad is the snow in Buffalo? Do you really wait for days just for the road to be cleared up? I'm afraid i can't go to work (hehehe).[/QUOTE No if it does snow, then its usually plowed that day or over night. Keep in mind that Buffalo has the best plowers in the nation and work round clock to get the roads and highways clear. I can only remember a couple times when it gets that bad that you have to stay at home for days. and if that is the case theneverything is closed, including work! Plus it doesnt snow here all year round. snow comes from mid-late November to early march. I wouldnt worry about the snow, especially if you ski or enjoy winter becuase its beautiful at times here.

October 5th, 2006, 07:02 PM	#75
sargeantcm Hee Hee! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Buffalonian by day, Asleepian by night Posts: 3,060 Likes (Received): 0	If you think last winter was scary... ...you got another thing commin'. Might very well be a 'real' winter, as it were. Face it, last winter was a dud.

October 5th, 2006, 07:37 PM	#76
Spaulding97 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Buffalo Posts: 804 Likes (Received): 0	^ i think your right. Think about this, this september was the 2nd most rain amount for the month just behind sep of 77. now we all know what happened that year. just behind this sep of 06 is sep of 95, remember how bad that winter was!!? get ready for some closings!

October 5th, 2006, 08:07 PM	#77
DallasTexan Texas'd! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,324 Likes (Received): 0	My car got snow on it last year. SALT TOO!!!

October 5th, 2006, 08:09 PM	#78
DallasTexan Texas'd! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,324 Likes (Received): 0	And how could have last winter been a dud?! We had snow on the ground for like, months! :faint:

October 5th, 2006, 08:15 PM	#79
sargeantcm Hee Hee! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Buffalonian by day, Asleepian by night Posts: 3,060 Likes (Received): 0	Where the hell were you? I remember no snow on the ground for most of February. FEBRUARY!!!!!