Niagara Falls Redevelopment
Niagara Falls State Park attracts more visitors annually than most National Parks sites, but only a portion of visitors to the Falls had involved overnight stays because of a lack of quality lodging facilities, or associated dining or entertainment venues in close proximity to the State Park. The Buffalo Billion plan looks to public investments in infrastructure, access, and business development to facilitate the re-emergence of a downtown Niagara Falls neighborhood, a setting that was lost as a result of 1970s-era urban renewal efforts. Complete with attractions and amenities, downtown’s growing inventory of new hotels, restaurants, and meeting facilities are allowing for longer visitor stays and increased spending, as well as welcoming back current and new residents to the City. Accordingly, Governor Cuomo has also emphasized improving the visitor experience at Niagara Falls State Park by upgrading attractions that are authentic to the strengths and heritage of the region.
Building upon public and private investment in Niagara Falls since 2011, the restoration of the historic Hotel Niagara, opening access to the upper and lower Niagara River, and the strategic acquisition of key underutilized properties will allow for continued economic growth into the next decade. Among the projects and initiatives receiving Buffalo Billion funding are:
June 2020 - USAN Announces Start of Construction on Third Street Connector to Niagara Falls State Park
March 2020 - USAN Board Approves Items to Advance Key Development Projects
January 2020 - USAN Board Meets and Approves Projects to Improve Third Street and Traffic Flow in Downtown Niagara Falls
December 2019 - USAN Announces Hotel Niagara Restoration Breaks Ground
December 2019 - Empire State Development Announces Plans for High-Density, Mixed-use Development Project in Downtown Niagara Fall
December 2018 - USAN Board Moves Hotel Niagara Project Forward
February 2018 - Governor Cuomo Announces Launch of Buffalo Billion II Initiative to Begin Project to 'Restore the Gorge' in Niagara Falls
July 2017 - Governor Cuomo Announces Brine Wells Development as Developer for Hotel Niagara
August 2016 - USAN Announces Request for Proposals for Developers for Hotel Niagara
June 2016 - Robert Moses Parkway Renamed "Niagara Scenic Parkway"
March 2016 - USAN Board Acquires Hotel Niagara, Will Issue RFP to Develop Hotel
November 2014 - Governor Cuomo Announces Robert Moses Parkway Reconfiguration Underway
USA Niagara Development Corporation – subsidiary of Empire State Development that supports and promotes economic development initiatives in Niagara Falls.
Destination Niagara USA – works to ensure Niagara County is a preferred international destination for group and leisure travel.
Niagara Falls State Park and New York State Parks- the official web sites for Niagara Falls State Parks activities.