Exciting developments are underway in downtown Niagara Falls as three highly visible projects have received approval, bringing the city one step closer to a transformative future. The USA Niagara Development Corp. (USAN), a subsidiary of Empire State Development, has given the green light to project plans for a new six-story, mixed-use building with apartments, a community event space near Niagara Falls State Park, and a pedestrian plaza.
The centerpiece of the approved plans is a six-story, mixed-use building that will be located near Niagara Falls State Park and a pedestrian plaza. The building will feature apartments and a community event space, aiming to create a vibrant and visitor-friendly area.
Anthony Vilardo, President of USAN, expressed his excitement about the approval, stating, "With the approval of these general project plans, USAN can take the next steps for making the projects a reality and continue to transform downtown Niagara Falls into a pedestrian, residential, and visitor-friendly area."
The mixed-use building, proposed for 333 First Street, will be constructed on the site of the former Smokin' Joe's Native Center. It will offer 73 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment units, along with 4,700 square feet of commercial space. The apartments will cater to individuals working in the hospitality and tourism industries, providing a mix of market-rate apartments and workforce housing for families with varying income levels.
The first floor of the building will house Community Services for Every1, an organization offering workforce development and community habilitation services. The existing two-story building on the site will be demolished, and the land will be divided into two parcels. One parcel will be sold to CSE1 for the housing development, while the other will be held by USAN for future development.
In addition to the mixed-use building, two park projects have also been approved. The Niagara Gorge Gateway Park will be developed across from the State Park Police barracks, transforming the former DiFranco Park into a multiuse pavilion with a capacity to host 1,400 people. The park will feature tiered outdoor seating, making it an ideal venue for community and school events, weddings, and small concerts.
The Hydraulic Power Plaza, located on a site bounded by First, Second, Main, and Niagara streets, will pay homage to the city's industrial past. It will include a water feature with misting fountains, tree-lined walkways, and seating. Steel arches overhead will serve as a reminder of the city's electric lines. During the winter months, a temporary ice skating rink will be brought in, adding to the park's appeal. Heritage checkpoints with interpretive stations will also be featured in the plaza.
These projects have been made possible through public land acquisitions under the state's Strategic Land Acquisition Program. The program involved the acquisition of seven buildings and over 8 acres of vacant land.
Apart from supporting affordable housing goals set by Governor Kathy Hochul, these projects aim to strengthen the connection between downtown Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls State Park, which attracts 9 million visitors annually. Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino expressed his enthusiasm for the projects, stating, "USAN will greatly impact development in the entertainment district. The proposed projects will reshape the downtown corridor for future projects."