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MAR 10 - MAR 17, 2015

A Key Property, if Built as a Hyatt Place, Will Be Underdeveloped

By Frank Parlato

March 10, 2015

In the final analysis, perhaps the most regrettable aspect of the Hamister/Empire State Dev. deal is not Hamister, but the state's decision not to seek an attraction for the site.

Niagara Falls - a city with plenty of three star hotels - but with virtually no attractions outside the Niagara Falls State Park - could have chosen to use 310 Rainbow Blvd., not for a six-story Hyatt Place, but for a world class attraction.

There was no rush. The rush was the concoction of state and city officials, who rushed the RFP and limited it breadth.

In retrospect this was the state that pushed to hurry up and get it wrong.

It is our opinion that 310 Rainbow Blvd. presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for something unique, renown and rare- just like its location.

Here is how the original RFP describes 310 Rainbow Blvd: "The Project Site literally sits at the 'front door' to downtown Niagara Falls… with major frontage on Old Falls Street… 300 feet from the entrance to Niagara Falls State Park." The site's "development has the potential to shape impressions and capitalize on the Park's millions of annual visitors." It is "Located within two blocks from the Rainbow Bridge Plaza, connecting Niagara Falls, NY to Niagara Falls, Ontario."

How did anyone think that the highest and best use for this key downtown property, within inches of the wonderland of Niagara Falls, was to build a smallish, short, three star Hyatt Place business type hotel?

How did it happen that it is now believed this is meritorious, that, if Hamister were suddenly able to arrange his financing - and overcome the challenge that his minor hotel at its astronomically inflated price, will be financeable, that this is an achievement. That a puny hotel is victory for Niagara Falls.

310 Rainbow Blvd., is a property where a building could be built tall and capture the views available nowhere else in the world.

This is the property that could site an attraction that will bring people downtown of their own accord, or keep them here longer - after they've spent their four hours in the State Park seeing the falls before scurrying off to Canada or elsewhere - where Hyatt Places are confined to airports and exit ramps - and in the most prestigious and critical key locations - they take their time and try to do it right.

 

 

 

 

Our Report on the Proposed Hamister Hotel Through a Series of Connected but Separate Stories
Hamister Seeks Tax Discounts, Grants, Discounted Real Estate -- Totaling $9.4 Million
Job Promises, Job Delivery - Vast Errors By Expert State Officials
Hamister to Build Lower Quality, Lower Density Than RFP Sought
Price Doesn't Sound Right
How Was Hamister Selected?
Financing in Question?
Hamister Hotel History - A Shrinking Deal With Escalating Handouts
A Key Property, if Built as a Hyatt Place, Will Be Underdeveloped
The City Hall Good Life
Former Lockport Youth Director At Center of Credit Card Investigation Files Complaint with State
Council Unanimously Approves Hyde Park Pavilion Bond Resolution
Why I Voted for Ice Pavilion Renovation - But Paid For With Casino Cash
The Best Community to Live, Work, and Raise a Family Ortt Reaches Out To Reporter Readers
Niagara Falls Getting Hamister Hotel, Not Nik Wallenda
Only in North Tonawanda: Questions for Common Council
Sound Off on Steroids? No Sweeney, it's Not All The Republicans Fault
Mayoral Candidate Szwedo Talks His Talk with Sense of Humor
Native American Marijuana Production A Bad Bet for Niagara County Taxpayers
Findings Warn About Continuing CMO Vacancy at Erie County Correctional Facilities.
Casino Cash - Gone with the Wind
Paladino Carrying Fight to Minority Board Members
Military-Strength Anti-Bleeding Product Coming to Stores
Skrlin Hammers Home a Homely Masterwork
The Great One Scores Again: Skrlin Deftly Weave a Monster Story
Letters to the Editor
City Hall and Dog Park Jokes

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Publisher and Editor in Chief: Frank Parlato
Managing Editor: Dr. Chitra Selvaraj
Senior Editor: Tony Farina