Last week, Niagara Falls residents gathered in the city council chambers for the third public hearing on Mayor Robert Restaino’s idea for a Centennial Park. It was clear from the speakers that there is opposition to Mayor Restaino’s plan to use eminent domain to take 10 acres of forest landRead More

SZWEDO CALLS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Niagara Falls community leader James Szwedo is calling for citizens’ participation in a public hearing that could have a lasting impact on the city’s future. The hearing, scheduled for March 13th at 6 PM, at Niagara Falls City Hall, is expected to pit private landownerRead More

Kevin O’Leary By Ken Cosentino Last week, millionaire investor Kevin O’Leary made some eye-opening remarks during an interview with “CNN This Morning.” O’Leary, who is famous for his tenure on the hit ABC series “Shark Tank,” did not mince words when it came to New York State killing jobs; andRead More

Mayor Robert Restaino’s proposed Centennial Park project sparks controversy By Ken Cosentino I must preface this by stating my opinion regarding the Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI). I have a strong friendship with the Mothers of the Seneca Nation, a group recognized by the SNI constitution of 1848.  Through thisRead More

NFR Fights Back Against City of Niagara Falls’ Attempt to Take Private Property: Alleges Violation of Comprehensive Plan Challenges City’s Eminent Domain Attempt in Appellate Court   Brief alleges City manufactured new “blight” allegation despite the fact that the well-manicured, wooded parcel is properly maintained and has never been soRead More

Niagara Falls Mayor Pursues Eminent Domain Lawsuit for Centennial Park Project Despite Opposition from Landowner Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino is pursuing an eminent domain lawsuit to acquire Parcel 0 for the construction of Centennial Park, an events center, parking ramp, and a small park. He faces opposition from NiagaraRead More

In response to my story: Seneca Casino Director Charged With Felony Against Ex-Employee/Lover, I got a lot of Keith John supporters, primarily anonymous, condemning Carrie Kearns, saying she is solely at fault and being a nutcase too. I was also blamed for writing the story based on court documents andRead More

Niagara Falls Mayor Robert M. Restaino is seeking to purchase a 10-acre plot of land from Niagara Falls Redevelopment LLC (NFR) to develop Centennial Park, a $150 million project of a 7000-seat events center, a parking ramp, and a small park. Mayor’s proposed Centennial Park. NFR has other plans forRead More

Ask any lifelong resident of the city of Niagara Falls, NY “why do we have so much blight?” and you will hear many different stories that all share common themes. One of the major themes is the “do-nothing” developer archetype, who has historically “taken the money and ran.” Earlier thisRead More

The controversy is far from over. It is between a mayor of a dwindling city of 43,000, down from 100,000 in 1960, a city with a famous name – once the Power City, the Honeymoon Capital of the World, now dead broke. And a development company backed by billionaires whoRead More

Mayor to Hold 3rd Public Hearing in March on Parcel ‘0’ as ‘Plans Shift’ Niagara Falls, NY: On February 9, Mayor Robert Restaino convened a special meeting of the Niagara Falls City Council to advance his plans to develop Centennial Park. All five council members were present. The mayor’s $150Read More

The following is part #7 on the topic of Parcel 0 and the contentious battle over its development waged between Mayor Robert Restaino and Niagara Falls Redevelopment LLC.  A 12-acre site on John Daley Blvd and Falls St, Parcel 0 is located in the southern end of Downtown Niagara Falls,Read More

Ken Cosentino, the writer of this article, mentions an old, failed dream of Niagara Falls, AquaFalls. An ambitious, and ultimately fanciful, plan to build an underground aquarium called AquaFalls was revealed during the administration of former Mayor James Galie. New York Governor George Pataki came to Niagara Falls to laudRead More

This is #5 in the Parcel 0 series. By Jim Szwedo Please do not mortgage our future for Centennial Park  When it comes to the dueling project proposals by the City and Niagara Falls Redevelopment, I believe we can have both. If the City and NFR both give a little,Read More

This is #4 in the Parcel 0 series. Parcel 0 – #1 –Reporter Investigates City’s Fight With NFR Over Best Use – Data Center or Events Center Parcel 0-#2: Pat Whelan, Former NGTI Director: Mayor’s Centennial Park Bound to Fail Parcel 0 -#3: The Battle Between Restaino and NFR IsRead More

Part #3 on Parcel 0. This is Part #3 of a series on Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino’s attempt to force the sale of 12 acres of a private company’s land to develop an events center and park project that the City does not have the money to develop. TheRead More

Parcel 0 is a 12-acre site in downtown Niagara Falls, owned by Niagara Falls Redevelopment LLC [NFR]. Both NFR has a plan for Parcel 0 and Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino has a plan.   NFR wants to build a Data Center on their land. Mayor Restaino wants to use eminentRead More

A battle is heating up in Niagara Falls, NY. It is a fight over property rights, the government’s use of eminent domain to force the sale of private property, and the highest and best use for a property that is a gateway location for both the City and for aRead More

New York State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello will join County Legislator Chris Voccio at Coffee with Chris on Saturday, February 4th at 9:00 a.m. “Assemblyman Morinello has vast experience as both a judge and a state legislator and should bring an interesting perspective,” Voccio said. Coffee with Chris is held atRead More

Niagara Falls Mayor Restaino and Niagara Falls Water Board Announce New Police Substation Agreement will improve police response in LaSalle area and increase security at Water Treatment Plant with no added cost to public. Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino and Nicholas Forster, Chairman of the Niagara Falls Water Board, announcedRead More