What to do with Niagara Falls NY?
Turn it into a World-class tourist destination!
I originally published this in April 2008, and it might just be time to think about this yet again. With all the excitement of Niagara Homecoming showing how just how a few people can make a difference. Driving around Niagara Falls yesterday I saw signs of improvement, construction happening and some excitement in the community with all the possibilities.
I think this is I am just old enough to remember Niagara Falls NY being a source of pride for Western New York and the world. As I moved away and came back, each time I was just a little more shocked than the last time what has happened here. I lived in the Metro New York City area, several Florida communities including Marco Island and Celebration. I understand about tourist destinations. I have also traveled the world, so I understand what attracts tourists to an area.
If you need any indication what needs to happen here, just look across to Ontario. As it stands, all the cool things to do with the family are on the Canadian side. All the great entertainment is on the the Canadian side. Niagara Falls is the number 2 tourist destination in all of Canada.
Anyone else in the United States see a problem?
Where to Start rebuilding Niagara Falls?
Instead of whining and complaining that I hear regularly from local citizens, I am focused on real time solutions for Niagara Falls. Drawing businesses back, creating a world-class tourist destination and economic growth. Isn’t that what we all want?
I am tired of everyone trying to claim credit — who cares who gets the credit, let it just start already. As I see it, Niagara Falls residents get in their own way, wanting to have all the glory. They saved Niagara Falls. Meanwhile, we move further from the ultimate goal.
The largest problem Niagara Falls NY has compared to Niagara Falls Ontario is the willingness of their Nation to invest in their 2nd most visited destination in Canada. Niagara Falls NY doesn’t register on the top lists for the United States. This is not local government, or even Albany’s fault, this is a national treasure that people are ignoring.
Read also: Most Popular Attractions in the USA
For years, this area has seen a steady flow of people that leave, and we watch as Ontario continues to develop and profit from our inaction. Do we as a community continue to stand by or do we take some action? I believe action is necessary. But how did we get to this point? Frank Thomas Croisdale of the Niagara Falls Reporter does a great job of explaining recently:
I’m with everyone who believes that Goat Island should be off-limits for any further development, but the rest of the city is completely negotiable. Here’s a pop quiz for you: When was the last time a major tourist attraction opened in Niagara Falls, N.Y.? The answer is 1982.
That’s the year the Rainbow Centre mall made its debut amid much fanfare. The opening was carried live on cable television and the crowds were as dense as those found at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Everyone in town wanted a firsthand look at the complex that was going to bring a slice of fashionable Toronto to Niagara.
It’s sort of sad when you think about it. The last big attraction built here has been closed for so long that many young people in the community don’t even remember it. In the over quarter-century since, there’s been nothing save a tethered balloon ride that mainly offers a depressing view of the unfulfilled promise of the city’s tourism district.
Some might argue that the casino has been a major development. If they’re a member of the Seneca Nation I’ll buy into it, but for the city as a whole the casino has been a black hole that sucks people and money in and locks the door behind them. If you can name one major restaurant that has sprung up downtown that is filled to the brim with casino patrons, it’s one more than I can think of.
There’s no good reason why Niagara Falls, N.Y., shouldn’t be rolling out attractions like Niagara’s Fury. Oh, and it doesn’t stop there for Niagara Falls, Ont.’s new attractions for 2008 either. Just opened is Niagara Freefall, an indoor skydiving experience where people can float on the air currents of a vertical wind tunnel.
Also, Silver Mist Productions is putting on a version of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” that the Toronto Sun said “is as good or better than most shows on Toronto stages.”
Within the past few years, three major indoor water parks have opened in Niagara Falls, Ont., and an underground aquarium (sound familiar?) is currently under construction.
Frank brings up an excellent point that the world-famous Niagara Falls should not have to go begging for money with 15 million tourists a year coming to see the Falls. Niagara Falls has a problem, how are we, the citizens of Niagara Falls, going to fix it? Recently, Gregg Swan over at Bloodhound wrote: Urbanologist Joel Kotkin: Why growth-oriented cities like Houston, Phoenix and Atlanta reflect the future of global commerce that got me further thinking. Dave Shafer commented that:
People might choose the lifestyle of New York/Boston/San Diego or might choose less expensive cities? Bottom line is you need to have lifestyle oriented development to appeal to folks now-a-days not just jobs.
Stop complaining and start doing!
It got me thinking, and that is what Niagara Falls needs to do. Not only does Niagara Falls need to grow business, but needs to have a comprehensive growth plan that will appeal to many people. That growth plan includes business development, housing and tourist attractions. There also needs to be attention paid to the quality of life, recreational and cultural activities. Here are some suggestions that I have heard over the past few months:
- Force those that have the Rainbow Mall in their control to do something or find someone willing to do something with that space.
- The Native American Center that has been closed? Get that running again. Again, there was someone who was to do something, there was great fanfare, and yet it is still closed.
- Create reason to do business in Niagara Falls, take advantage of tax incentives and programs already in place
- To attract businesses to WNY and Niagara Falls, the quality of life benefis of living here need to be marketed, the Culural, Natural and Recreational reasons to live here.
- Although the Seneca Niagara Casino brings in business, the rest of the area does not benefit from it, nor should we. It is an opportunity for the surrounding area to step up to the plate and do something. The Casino should not be the only draw, the only decent restaurants to dine in and the only entertainment. It is up to the community to build the area around the Casino.
- Niagara Falls needs to take advantage of the fact that the LARGEST GROWTH INDUSTRY in the coming years is TOURISM world wide. Niagara Falls is already recognized internationally as a place to see. Are we going to allow our Ontario neighbors to be the only ones to benefit?
- Drop the drinking age back to 18 in Niagara Falls Only. At least the bars would be busy with all the Canadian and American kids coming here to drink.
Ok, so the drinking age won’t change for obvious reason. These ideas are just a start. Interested in helping Niagara Falls change for the better? Why not attend the next meeting of the Niagara Rises group and see how you can be part of the positive change in Niagara Falls. The next meeting is:
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 6pm
Days Inn
443 Main Street
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