I wrote last week about the excitement being generated by daredevil Nik Wallenda's planned walk across Niagara Falls this summer and how the event is likely to capture the world's attention and restore the image of the old "Honeymoon Capital" as the must-see tourist destination, much like Marilyn Monroe's film "Niagara" did in 1953.
Times have changed, for sure, and while Niagara Falls remains a powerful tourist magnet, the city has lagged when it comes to maintaining the home front, and while the lack of promised casino revenue is the latest headache, forcing officials to enact a spending freeze, there is more than slot-machine gold needed to put the jewel back in this wonder.
The water is still here, and I've learned during my brief tenure as president of the downtown tourist center One Niagara that visitors are still coming in large numbers to see the mighty falls, experience the power of the rushing waters up close and get the pictures and souvenirs necessary to memorialize their visit.
The city's shortcomings notwithstanding, Niagara Falls is still a prime tourist destination, and Wallenda's spectacular summer adventure is all but certain to prime the pump for many summers to come if -- and if is the key word -- the city, the state and all other concerned parties work together to get it right.
All the parties need to work together to ensure that traffic and people can move about in a fairly reasonable amount of time, and that includes during the daredevil's training sessions, which will be open to the public.
That level of cooperation is a tall order in a small city like Niagara Falls, a city that does not have a strong history of working together to get things done. But this time, it must work.
The time frame is tight, but there is time to formalize plans for people movement, for crowd control and for hospitality. It is the Super Bowl for Niagara Falls, and for Coach Paul Dyster, Quarterback Sam Fruscione, Offensive Coordinators Mark Thomas, Ron Peters, Sam Hoyt, George Maziarz, and the men in blue.
There may be more room on the other side, but there will still be room and plenty of vantage points on the U.S. side, augmented by well-placed jumbo television screens and well-coordinated people placement.
This is a Super Bowl that can pay big dividends, not just this year but for many years to come. The world will be watching, and the area's leadership has the magnificent opportunity to showcase Niagara Falls as no travel brochure or webpage video can do.
More than a billion people will likely see what happens this summer in Niagara Falls, and what they see, the wire walk and all, will likely determine their appetite to visit the majestic waterfalls and the city that bears its name.
I know there's talk about "the other side," and what it can offer. But this is no time to look across the Niagara gorge. It is time to take care of business on this side, to make sure that everything is ready to make the Wallenda experience one to remember and a springboard to a new era of cooperation and economic growth.Ê There are positive signs about the future, and kick-starting a tourist bonanza for years to come will certainly go a long way toward building a better future.
No doubt, the summer of Nik Wallenda's great adventure is a must-win for Niagara Falls. Let's hope our leaders have the winning game plan. The world will be watching.
E-mail your comments on this story to Tony Farina at tonyfarina2010@gmail.com.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | April 24 2012 |