The city whose reputation as a honeymoon capital is often overshadowed by its reputation for urban decay is poised to get its first major downtown development — outside of the Seneca Niagara Casino — in some 30 years.

City and state officials have confirmed that seven developers submitted proposals for a 38,000-square-foot site at 310 Rainbow Blvd.

While details of the specific plans were not released, officials said they would like to see a mixed-use building rise on the site to fill the unmet downtown demand for retail, food, beverage, residential and hotel space around the falls.

Related posts:

1. Council plans vote on deal to demolish glass walkway From the Buffalo News: Take a walk down Old Falls...
2. Chain restaurants drawn to Falls From the Buffalo News: Many people who work and play...
3. Niagara One to spruce up for tourists From the Buffalo News: With the beginning of a new...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The Robert Moses Parkway has long been viewed by some as a “concrete moat” between the city and its riverfront, and thus an impediment to potential economic development.

But for just as long, its proposed removal has been mired in red tape according Falls Mayor Paul Dyster.

“Sometimes people call it the ‘Peace Bridge’ of Niagara Falls,” Dyster remarked, in reference to the now decade long debate over building a new international border crossing between Buffalo, NY and Fort Erie, Ont.

On Monday, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) came to Niagara Falls to announce his support for the effort to remove the Robert Moses Parkway between John Daly Boulevard and Main Street and replace it with a park road, improving pedestrian access between the city’s South End tourist district and the waterfront, in hopes of sparking economic growth.

Related posts:

1. Robert Moses Parkway changes appear unlikely anytime soon From the Buffalo News: With the summer tourist season fast...
2. Rough road ahead for Robert Moses? From the Niagara Gazette: More than 50 years ago, the...
3. Schumer: Falls State Park a top priority From WIVB Channel 4 in Buffalo: Senator Charles Schumer is...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The scaffolding is being set up, the stage will soon be in place, and the thousands will soon jam down Old Falls Street, as 2012 will be ushered in in fine musical fashion.

For the third year, The Hard Rock Guitar Drop will bring in the new year. The metal rigging is currently being welded by city workers at the welding shop where plows are usually the main repair. The mini-zamboni is out on the outdoor skating rink surrounded by a holiday market place, in short The Falls is ready to roll out the red carpet.

Related posts:

1. Bankruptcy Filings Drop From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo: A popular Niagara Falls,...
2. Holiday Lights Shine in Hyde Park WGRZ Channel 2 in Buffalo has a report (with video)...
3. Canadian Developers Bullish On Niagara Falls, N.Y. From WGRZ Channel 2 in Buffalo: Thursday evening, the Four...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The calendar year has been anything but vanilla for the hotel industry in Niagara Falls.

While the area received praise as a most popular tourist destination in two separate national magazines, four hotels either changed ownership or received major renovations in 2011…

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

What’s next for the concept known as the Niagara Experience Center? Having been rejected as a project worthy of funding under the first round of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new regional economic development initiative, supporters of the plan to create a one-of-a-kind visitor center in Niagara Falls aren’t quite sure.

After languishing in limbo for several years, it appeared as though the experience center concept was about to gain renewed life in the form of financial support through Cuomo’s regional council program. Members of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, which put together the local strategic plan for development projects to be funded under Cuomo’s initiative, identified the center as one of its 12 “priority” projects. On Thursday, local leaders learned that while the council’s overall plan ranked as one of the “best” of those submitted by the 10 regional councils statewide, the experience center would not be receiving $5 million in seed money requested by project supporters.

Related posts:

1. Fixing the Falls: All aboard From the Niagara Gazette: Imagine having developer and one-time gubernatorial...
2. Fixing the Falls: Hoping for a development From the Niagara Gazette: Niagara Falls Redevelopment. For many years,...
3. FIXING THE FALLS: Inspiration is right across the border From the Niagara Gazette: Credit the idea for this week’s...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Months after it was criticized as “shabby” and underfunded, Niagara Falls State Park and other regional state parks are getting new attention from the state.

The relief comes in the form of equipment upgrades and money for promotions and hires, as well as new capital projects to follow current upgrades.

“It’s a much brighter picture than we’ve had in years,” regional State Parks Director Mark W. Thomas said Thursday of the Western system. “It’s not just hopeful thinking or wishful thinking. I think the worst of the days are behind us, and we can start a rebuilding phase.”

Related posts:

1. Niagara Falls State Park getting upgrades after critical NY Times article From an Associated Press article seen on Yahoo! News Canada:...
2. State Parks Commissioner Outlines Niagara Falls State Park Improvement Plans From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo: New York State Parks,...
3. Niagara Falls State Park attraction admission scam leads to arrests From the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal: New York State Park...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

When it opened on black Friday, organizers of the Holiday Market in Niagara Falls thought they could hit 400,000 visitors.

Now, it appears they will only get around half that. With four days before Christmas, an estimated 150,000 people have visited the market.

Despite that, the people behind the European style market say it is a success, and a big reason is out of town guests.

Related posts:

1. The ‘Holiday’ has arrived for downtown Niagara Falls From the Niagara Gazette: Mark Rivers is calling it the...
2. Holiday Lights Shine in Hyde Park WGRZ Channel 2 in Buffalo has a report (with video)...
3. Ceremony set Nov. 23 to open Holiday Lights From the Buffalo News: The Holiday Lights of Niagara Trail,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Take a walk down Old Falls Street, and you’ll see plenty of state-built infrastructure designed to spur private development. Largely missing are the type of walk-up storefronts suited for pedestrians and tourists.

City officials, after stalled efforts this summer, hope the demolition of a downtown eyesore will help fix that.

The City Council on Tuesday will vote on an agreement for $25,500 worth of engineering demolition work to be completed by LiRo Engineers of Buffalo. The work would be the first step in the demolition of a vacant glass walkway adjacent to the former TeleTech call center building on Third Street.

The obsolete walkway, which runs west of TGI Friday’s along Old Falls Street, has long been viewed by city officials as an obstacle to development along the cobblestone walkway.

“By eliminating that glass hallway, it opens up a lot of opportunities,” said Council Chairman Sam Fruscione.

Related posts:

1. Council amends billboard law to aid tourism promotions From the Buffalo News: In an effort to expand promotions...
2. Chain restaurants drawn to Falls From the Buffalo News: Many people who work and play...
3. Make new entertainment centre all-ages: city council From the Niagara Falls Review: A new 7,000-seat entertainment centre,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Families can now visit the Holiday Lights of the Niagara Trail. The first lighting took place Wednesday night.

There are 50 displays located throughout Hyde Park in Niagara Falls. There are an additional 10 displays on Pine Avenue, Main Street and the new Holiday Market.

The Holiday Lights of Niagara Trail is free and open to the public every night from 5-10 p.m. through December 31st.

Related posts:

1. Ceremony set Nov. 23 to open Holiday Lights From the Buffalo News: The Holiday Lights of Niagara Trail,...
2. The ‘Holiday’ has arrived for downtown Niagara Falls From the Niagara Gazette: Mark Rivers is calling it the...
3. Niagara Falls Festival of Lights 2011 Live Stream, Dates, Webcam Feed From PR-Inside.com: Along the Niagara Parkway is a winter wonderland...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Mark Rivers is calling it the “anti-mall.”

While thousands of eager shoppers will be running through department stores and retail outlets Thanksgiving night and early Black Friday, the man behind the new Holiday Market in downtown Niagara Falls is encouraging his customers to take it easy, avoid the rush and get down to Old Falls Street whenever they feel good and ready.

“We’re not open Thanksgiving night,” said Rivers, whose firm, Brix and Co., has put together the city’s inaugural 37-day holiday event. “Sleep in on Friday and enjoy a family fun and shopping day in the Falls.”

The Falls version of a winter wonderland officially opens at noon on Friday. Billed as an American take on outdoor markets traditionally found in Europe, the Falls market will feature a mix of retail offerings, live performances and holiday activities.

Related posts:

1. Will Niagara Falls become a winter wonderland? From the Buffalo News: In March, Ellicottville native and Idaho...
2. Fixing the Falls: Downtown still under development From the Niagara Gazette: The DiCienzio family has been doing...
3. Ceremony set Nov. 23 to open Holiday Lights From the Buffalo News: The Holiday Lights of Niagara Trail,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.