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John Risio, USA Niagara
(716) 284-2556
Steve Brady, National Grid
(716) 831-7744
10/1/2008
USA NIAGARA’S OLD FALLS STREET – WEST MALL INITIATIVE GETS $500,000 BOOST FROM NATIONAL GRID
National Grid has awarded USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) a $500,000 Urban Center/Commercial District Revitalization Program Grant for the Old Falls Street West Mall Initiative, the two organizations announced today.
”National Grid believes strongly in the efforts to redevelop Old Falls Street and looks forward to being a partner in that work,” said Dennis Elsenbeck, regional executive director for the company in Western New York. “The success of our company is directly linked to the strength of the communities we serve, and the history of our company and industry has deep roots in Niagara Falls. We see the success of this project as a key element in the broader effort to strengthen the city’s economy.”
USAN President Christopher Schoepflin said, “I would like to thank National Grid for their strong support of the Old Falls Street – West Mall Initiative. This grant is another example of a public-private partnership which will enable us to move forward with our economic development efforts for Old Falls Street. This initiative brings us one step closer to realizing our vision of restoring Falls Street back to its original standing, as the major tourist corridor in downtown Niagara Falls.”
The National Grid funds will be used toward the $4.8 million full-depth reconstruction of Old Falls Street between Prospect Street and First Street. Historically downtown Niagara Falls’ main commercial thoroughfare, Old Falls Street serves as a front door to the 1885 entrance of Niagara Falls State Park, a National Historic Landmark. This project aims to turn this area of the city into a bustling corridor through a quality and environmentally sustainable design that provides key pedestrian amenities. Old Falls Street’s location presents great potential in attracting new private investment to the downtown area.
City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster stated, “For a generation, Niagara Falls citizens old enough to remember the old Falls Street have kept alive for their children and grandchildren the memory of this great commercial artery originating at the gate of the State Park. We can't turn back the clock, but with help from this generous contribution from National Grid, we can help the community implement its grassroots vision for the future. Once again, the lifeblood of pedestrian traffic that sustains commerce will be free to flow from the brink of the Falls into the heart of the City.”
Shortly following the completion of the $3 million Old Falls Street – East Mall Reconstruction Project in August 2007, the Old Falls Street – West Mall Initiative was announced as part of New York State’s “City by City” economic development plan for Upstate New York. USAN, in partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, recently approved a $7.9 million funding agreement for the West Mall Initiative. The West Mall Initiative includes the restoration of the public right-of-way and re-introduction of vehicular access from First Street to Rainbow Boulevard. Once completed, this would build upon access created along the Old Falls Street – East Mall from Third Street to First Street, restoring the historic Falls Street corridor. Other initiative components include:
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incorporation of street amenities, seating and landscaping to encourage pedestrian-oriented access and create an environment that promotes the establishment of mixed-use development (hotel, retail, entertainment, etc.) on adjoining properties; and
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driving environmental stewardship efforts that carefully incorporate methods to facilitate environmental sustainability, including items such as aspects to promote natural storm water management, utilization of native plant species and use of sustainable materials in the construction of the street and amenities.
National Grid’s Urban Center/Commercial District Revitalization grant is designed to assist the larger urban centers in the company’s upstate New York service area achieve revitalization goals, increase property tax bases and program efficient investment in central business districts and commercial corridors. It is part of a broader economic development program designed to help communities and businesses throughout the upstate region. Since 2003, National Grid has provided more than $8.8 million in direct economic development project funding throughout Western New York, including this grant.
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.
USA Niagara Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Empire State Development Corporation, is solely dedicated to the support and promotion of economic development initiatives in Niagara Falls by leveraging private investment and encouraging growth and renewal of the tourism industry in the City of Niagara Falls.
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