NEW PARTSOURCE "UPDATE"

PARTSOURCE, THE PARTS. THE PROS. THE PRICE.

This Canadian car parts company is located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. PartSource is Canada's fastest-growing automotive specialist and is building a new 7300 sq ft. building on Lundy's Lane.

Previous Post Link: PartSource on Lundy's Lane

IT'S NOW OR NEVER!

"ICEDOGS THROW CITY A BONE "

COREY LAROCQUE
Local News - Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Capital Sports has "tweaked" its proposal to move the Mississauga IceDogs to Niagara Falls enough that it's worth taking another look at, says Coun. Jim Diodati. "Bottom line - it comes down to money. The money situation appears encouraging. It warrants further consideration," Diodati said Monday after receiving the revised proposal from Capital Sports, which owns the Ontario Hockey League's IceDogs team. Capital Sports Management's president Roy Mlakar told The Review on the weekend the businessmen trying to move the team to Niagara Falls from Mississauga held a conference call to address some of the concerns city hall had with the original version. There were adjustments to the way the IceDogs and the city would share the revenue generated by the sports and entertainment centre where the team would play. The new proposal recognizes the city would need revenue to offset operating and financing costs associated with building a 5,000-seat sports and entertainment centre, estimated to cost at least $35 million, Diodati said. Mlakar declined The Review's request for an interview Monday. A public relations official sent an e-mail saying the new proposal is now before council and Mlakar "doesn't have anything to add." Mlakar would talk to the media again after city officials review the latest offer and have contacted Capital Sports, the official said. City politicians were also reluctant to discuss specific details in the revised offer. "We're not willing to discuss these matters in the media," Mayor Ted Salci said Monday afternoon. "I can tell you the council has had the information circulated and I'm awaiting a response." Salci said he's waiting for input from councillors before he decides how to proceed. The mayor can call a special meeting, but it requires 48 hours' notice. Realistically, it would be difficult to hold that kind of meeting until Thursday, he said. Another option would be to reconvene the six-member committee the city created Jan. 8 after hearing Capital Sports' initial pitch. But a special meeting of the full council is the way to go, said Diodati, adding politicians have been given information in "piecemeal" fashion. "We need to regroup. We need to look at the entire proposal with the amendments," Diodati said. Information council received Monday included references to the first proposal. But politicians had returned the white binders with the first proposal's documentation to Capital Sports. "We're getting bits and pieces of information. We need to have everything on the table at one time," Diodati said. It might be helpful to have representatives from Capital Sports at a meeting to ask them questions, he added. Other members of the special hockey committee could not be reached to comment on how the city should proceed with the newer plan. Based on what Capital Sports has said publicly, it's getting late in the game to reach a deal and the clock is ticking down. If anything is going to happen to bring the Ontario Hockey League's Mississauga IceDogs to Niagara Falls, it seems it would have to happen this week. Capital Sports wants to sell the IceDogs to Toronto businessman Tom Bitove, who will move them to Niagara Falls if the city builds a 5,000-seat sports and entertainment centre. Capital Sports owner Eugene Melnyk also owns the Toronto St. Michael's Majors team and wants them to move into Mississauga's Hershey Centre. The OHL won't allow Capital Sports to own two teams. The company first presented its plan publicly Jan. 8. A special committee of council met twice to consider the proposal. Then, council turned it down Jan. 22, without issuing a counter-offer. Over the weekend, principals, including Mlakar and Bitove, held a conference call to revise their proposal to make changes to their first proposal. City officials have never outlined their specific concerns publicly because they agreed to a confidentiality agreement for their talks with Capital Sports. Mlakar has said his company needs a decision from Niagara Falls council before this weekend's meeting of the OHL board of governors. City council's next scheduled meeting is Feb. 5 - two days after the OHL board of governors meeting.

Files from the Niagara Falls Review

Previous Post Link: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

ANOTHER HYDRO PROJECT FOR NIAGARA

"DRAINING THE HYDRO CANAL"

JOHN ROBBINS
Local News - Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Seven-month project will reverse river's flow. Not long after Big Becky finishes its laborious crawl beneath the city, another large-scale hydro project - one that will see a portion of the Welland River temporarily reverse direction - will get underway. Ontario Power Generation is in the early stages of planning a complex, seven-month-long project aimed at making repairs to the structure of the 85-year-old hydro canal that bisects the city and supplies water from the Niagara and Welland rivers to hydroelectric generating stations at Queenston.So vital is the water the canal carries in meeting Ontario's almost insatiable demand for power, emptying the 14-kilometre-long channel for repairs is something company officials say isn't practical until after the current work to build a new hydroelectric tunnel under the city is completed, sometime in 2009."For us, obviously, it's going to be a big project and it'll be quite schedule driven," said David Heath, OPG's Niagara Plant Group manager."Every month that canal is out of service means reduced production here, so we'll be trying to minimize that as best we can." The hydro canal was built between 1917 and 1921 by the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario, forerunner of Ontario Hydro and Ontario Power Generation. Repairs and a major expansion of the canal took place during 1964-65 - the only time the canal has been completely emptied in its history. In 1981, flow to the canal was reduced so workers on barges could repair and dredge the bottom of the canal. Heath said the canal maintenance project will likely begin in 2010 or 2011, depending on when the Niagara Tunnel Project finishes. Water from the new tunnel is needed to replace water from the canal during the maintenance work. Without the water from the new tunnel, having the canal out of service for half a year would mean the generating stations' annual electricity output would drop by about one-sixth - two terawatt hours - an amount equivalent to 1.5 per cent of Ontario's electricity needs. "The last time it took two summers, but that was a bigger project than what we anticipate this time," said Heath. "With some of today's technology, we should be able to do things a little quicker. We should be able to do it in one season. That would be from April to November." Maintenance will focus on stabilizing the canal walls, which have suffered from years of erosion from the water passing through the channel and from drainage systems that empty into it. Studies are underway to determine how best to proceed with the project and to estimate the condition of the parts of the canal that are below the surface of its swift currents. "We're not exactly sure what we're going to find under the water," he said. The canal's entrance is on the Welland River, just east of the Queen Elizabeth Way. From the west of the entrance, the canal receives 100 per cent of the flow of the Welland River, which begins near Ancaster and snakes its way through the heart of the Niagara Peninsula. From the east, the canal receives flow diverted from the Niagara River, about two kilometres above the Horseshoe Falls. The water travels west along a six-kilometre section of the Welland River (known locally as Chippawa Creek) to the canal entrance. In other words, both ends of the Welland River flow inward toward the canal entrance, converging in a triangle shape just east of the QEW. When the canal was built, the Welland River between the Niagara River and the canal entrance was widened and deepened in order to cause the water to reverse direction. While the canal is closed for maintenance, said Heath, the Welland River will be allowed to return to its natural direction of flow - all the way to the Niagara River - as happened during expansion and repairs during the summers of 1964 and 1965. Because of the Welland River's poor water quality, Regional Niagara is already working on plans to relocate the intake pipe for the Niagara Falls water treatment plant or make adjustments to the plant's treatment processes. The treatment plant is on Macklem Street, in Chippawa. While the intake pipe draws from the Welland River, the source is considered to be the Niagara River - about 500 metres away from the intake. Robin Young, project manager at Regional Niagara's public works department, said the quality of the water in the Welland River west of the hydro canal is variable, and has a higher concentration of suspended solids (particles in the water from agricultural runoff, soil erosion and industrial discharges) than water from the Niagara River, which is a larger and faster moving body of water. "For plant operations, we would prefer the more constant quality of the Niagara River" said Young. An environmental assessment of the intake relocation project is underway. The first of two public open houses will be held toward the end of February or early March. Chippawa resident Al Oleksuik, a longtime environmentalist, said Niagara Falls residents should be kept informed of OPG's plans, even though the hydro canal maintenance project is several years away. "The potential negative impact on recreational use, local residents and Niagara's drinking water will be considerable," said Oleksuik. "The time frame (before the project starts) allows for considerable public consultation, which should begin immediately."

Files from the Niagara Falls Review

INSTALLING THE WINDOWS AT CI&S

"COUNTRY INN & SUITES "UPDATE."

The windows along the Victoria Avenue side of the newly developed hotel, are now 90% installed.

Previous Post Link: Capping the CI & S

SAKS "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS"

"SERVING NIAGARA FOR OVER 75 YEARS"

This furniture store located @ 5863 Ferry street, will soon be closing their doors for good. I believe that they are also involved in the hotel industry in Niagara Falls as well.

THE END OF AN ERA!

"CUPOLO'S SPORTS IS BANKRUPT "

JENNIFER PELLEGRINI
Local News - Thursday, January 25, 2007

Anne Rosler couldn't believe it when her daughter called. "She told me Cupolo's is closing, so I put on my jacket and came right down," said Rosler, who has spent her life in Niagara Falls. She still has a doll her mother – long since retired from her days working at The Capri restaurant just a few steps away – bought her when she was a child. "When you think about sporting goods, you think Cupolo's," she said. Rosler can remember how kind Jerry Cupolo was to Italian immigrant families such as her own. "He always had a smile for you," said Rosler. "He made you feel at home." Jerry Cupolo wasn't in the store on Thursday, however. Nor was his son, Jay, who helped run the business the family has owned since the 1920s. Staff from Asset Engineering Corp., a Toront-based liquidation company were behind the tills and answering the constantly ringing phone. "Cupolo's bankruptcy sale," a cheery young woman said while ringing through a customer. "How can I help you?" Just a few minutes before, on her way to look for ski boots for her daughter, Rosler sighed and summed things up.
"I guess it's the end of an era.

Files from the Niagara Falls Review

HYATT PLACE HOTEL COMING TO NIAGARA

"NEW HYATT BRAND SECURES MORE THAN 30 PROJECTS"

CHICAGO, IL Market Wire - Jan 23, 2007

Hyatt Place, one of Hyatt's two new brands, gained impressive development traction in its debut year, garnering 31 new projects, totaling 4,321 hotel rooms. These new projects will join the 120 hotels converting to the Hyatt Place brand in 2007. "We're seeing tremendous growth in our first year of development for Hyatt Place, and we expect to see these numbers increase substantially in 2007. In addition to the 120 owned, managed and franchised properties to be converted over the course of 2007, we are adding an outstanding mix of new-build properties with some of the best owners and operators in the business," said Chris Ivy, senior vice president of development for Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites. "When developing Hyatt Place, we found that while lifestyles were changing, the select service hotel experience had become stagnant. The response we've had to Hyatt Place from both developers and consumers makes us confident we're filling a void in the upper end of the select service market. "One destination will be in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada - Under development by Canadian Niagara Hotels, this 150-room hotel is located in the Stanley Avenue corridor and scheduled to open Summer 2008."

STAMFORD GREEN SHOPPING CENTER

"SIGN THAT THIS PLAZA IS NEARING COMPLETION!"

Three new signs have been added to this completely re-vamped plaza. The businesses include Galleria Jewellers, Cyberdyne Systems and Sharp Looks which just so happens to correlate with this plaza.

Previous Post Link: Stamford Green Shopping Center

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE!

"THE UN-NATURAL HAT-TRICK"

The term natural hat-trick comes when a player scores three goals in a row, the term un-natural hat-trick is now associated with the Niagara Falls city council members decision, to turn down for a third time a proposal to bring back an OHL franchise to Niagara Falls. This also negates the prospect of the city building a large enough facility to host mid level concerts and traveling North American specialty shows. The city council members voted unanimously Monday to reject the proposal from Capital Sports Management, the company that owns the IceDogs.

Previous Post link: Who Will Let The Dogs Out?

HOLIDAY INN KITCHEN EXPANSION

"HOLIDAY INN ON FALLSVIEW"

In mid November work started on a new kitchen for the Holiday Inn. This is directly beside the Cascade hotel and the top image shows the first stages of excavation.

DIGGING IN AT THE HILTON!

"IT'S JUST A HOLE...FOR NOW!"

How far down they go into the ground remains to be seen, but considering the shear height of this Niagara High rise, it will be quite substantial for the rather small area that they have to work with. I will try to keep an updated posting of the Hilton on a weekly basis, depending on what changes on the work site?

Previous Post Link: And Away We Go!

VACANT LAND BEING EXCAVATED

"CORNER OF MCLEOD AND MONTROSE"

As first posted in comments by Drafty, this site which has been mentioned for future development, now has heavy equipment excavating the land. This land has been the strong topic of everything from a future arena to a new grocery store, as seen above located at ^9^.

Excerpt from the Niagara Falls Review: It's located at a growing end of the city and it's expected there will also be a significant retail development on the site of the old city dump located across Montrose Road from the MacBain Community Centre.

OLD NEWS WORTH REPEATING!!

"CANADIAN TIRE IS COMING TO NIAGARA SQUARE"

The Review
Local News - Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Following in the footsteps of Future Shop, Winners, Petcetera and Linens N Things, the retail giant plans to relocate to the Montrose Road shopping mall. Construction of the new store, to be built at the corner of Pin Oak Drive and McLeod Road next to the Cineplex theatre, is set to begin later this year. The new building will replace the existing McLeod Road Canadian Tire store."Canadian Tire will be an amazing addition to the Niagara Square neighbourhood. This shows we're progressing, we're getting bigger and we're giving our residents what they need," said Tammy Robertson, marketing co-ordinator at Niagara Square.The space left empty after The Bay closed will soon be demolished to make way for further development."The new space will be phenomenal," Robertson said. The Canadian Tire store is not the only new addition to the city's retail landscape for 2007. Rumours have been rampant for several months that the Mandarin Chinese food restaurant chain will open a location in Niagara Falls. While a location has yet to be finalized, a spokeswoman for the Mandarin Restaurant Franchise Corporation confirmed Wednesday the chain plans to open a Niagara Falls outlet sometime this year. "We're not sure yet of the date but we hope to open one soon," the spokeswoman said. Since opening its first restaurant in Brampton in 1979, Mandarin has focused on steady growth in Ontario. In addition to the Niagara Falls location, Mandarin plans to open two additional restaurants in in 2007, one in Newmarket and another Vaughn. Also, Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership, North America's largest lease-to-own company, is scouting locations in the city. "We have an idea in mind for the location, but we don't have any specifics until we get the franchisee on board," said Doug Warren, Aaron's director of Canadian franchising. He hopes the store will be open by the summer. "Our presence in Niagara Falls will cater to the average consumer's demands for quality and affordable durable goods while offering local entrepreneurs a franchise opportunity that has withstood the test of time," he added.

Files From the Niagara Falls Review


Previous information: Back in early November I posted about this move from their current location, this building is listed at 65,000 sq. feet. It has also been discussed on here about the demolition of the Bay department store, and the opening of a Mandarin Restaurant.

Previous Post Link: Canadian Tire to join Niagara Square

Previous Post Link: Niagara Square Developments

Location Link: Google Earth

LA'S WEIGHT LOSS IS NIAGARA'S GAIN

NIAGARA SQUARES NEWEST ADDITION! This area just outside the Winners entrance, is also the new entrance to an LA Weight Loss Centre.

Previous Post Link: Niagara Square Developments

NEW PART SOURCE ON LUNDY'S LANE

FRAMING IN THE MUD! It takes a good worker to frame a steel structure in this bitter cold and slick conditions, but they do it day after day and here is no exception. This is the new 7300 sq ft. retail location of a Part Source outlet, where the former Sally Ann building use to sit.

Previous Post Link: Footings Are In!

PHASE TWO AT NIAGARA GENERAL

Image courtesy of Niagara Falls Review

GNGH ENTRANCE TO HAVE COSMETIC SURGERY

JOHN ROBBINS
Local News - Monday, January 15, 2007

The main entrance at the city's hospital is about to undergo cosmetic surgery. The Portage Road entrance at Greater Niagara General Hospital will be closed for several months for renovations, which begin Tuesday. As part of a second phase of construction, the main entrance will be expanded and the old emergency department will gutted to make way for a new ambulatory care centre for out-patients programs and services. Phase 1 of construction ended Friday with the official unveiling of the new $15 million Jeff Morgan Emergency Department. The new facility opens to patients Tuesday at 7 a.m. Only emergency patients should use the new emergency department entrance, which is located on North Street. Patients needing to access the rest of the hospital while the main entrance is undergoing renovations are asked to continue using the Allied Health building entrance and tunnel to the hospital. As well, a temporary, main entrance is to open off North Street on the lower level of the hospital, next to the maternity parking area. Pedestrians can reach this entrance by using the Portage Road and North Street sidewalks. Parking for the majority of hospital patients and visitors will continue in the lot at the Allied Health building. Only people reporting to the new emergency department should park in the new lot on North Street, hospital administrators say.

BEST WESTERN ADDS A LITTLE COLOR

SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING IS FINISHED. The Best Western in the Fallsview district, has been undergoing some interior and exterior enhancements.

Previous Post Link: Best Western Renovations

AND AWAY WE GO!

DENNY'S IS DOWN! Work around the Hilton expansion site is starting to take shape, with the first step in this development under way .... only a couple of years to go!

Previous Post Link: Hilton "Update"

FORMER IMPALA HOTEL LEVELLED!

DEMOLITION TIME AT THE IMPALA. It doesn't show in the above image, but this former Motel is completely torn down, and clean up of the site has started. Still unknown if this will be according to the Niagara Falls city website, a new 10 story Hotel.

Previous Post Link: Former Motel Gutted

EASY COME, EASY GO!

COUNCIL CAPS REVITALIZATION SPENDING AT $12 MILLION

COREY LAROCQUE
Local News - Wednesday, January 10, 2007

One vote at Monday's council meeting reduced the city's financial commitment to downtown revitalization to one-third of what it had been on paper. Council voted to limit its commitment to $12 million, down from the $36 million that had been added onto the city's capital budget last year - before the last election. "Over the next 20 years, council will only spend up to $12 million," said Ald. Carolynn Ioannoni, who introduced the motion.It got council's unanimous support Monday, but on Tuesday politicians didn't agree about the signal it sent about the city's involvement downtown and with the Historic Niagara project led by businessman Aaron Lichtman. Ioannoni said it shows the council elected in November isn't as supportive of the Historic Niagara plan as the previous group had been. "The previous support is no longer around that table," Ioannoni said. Lichtman was in meetings in Seattle Tuesday and could not be reached to comment on what the city's move would mean for Historic Niagara, his office said. For close to a year, Lichtman has said he can bring $170 million in private investment to convert the foundering Queen Street area into a retail shopping district. His plan requires an estimated $36 million worth of improvements to public areas including a parking garage, new parks and streetscaping. Lichtman has said all that work is included in the Community Improvement Plan for downtown, a report Niagara Falls adopted in 2004. If council had followed the timelines contained in that report, the improvements should be completed within five years of the report - at roughly the same time he wants the retail area to open. Last May, council added that $36 million figure to its capital budget, which is the five-year spending plan for public projects. At the time, politicians said the budget is merely a plan that could be changed later on if a future council doesn't like it. And that's what happened this week. Monday was the second time Ioannoni had tried to reduce the budget line to $12 million. In October, a similar motion was defeated on a 5-4 vote. Lichtman said then the five politicians were "courageous" and had made a decision in the city's best interest. But three of those five were replaced by new aldermen in November. Mayor Ted Salci agreed there has been a shift in the way politicians feel about Lichtman's plan. "It does give Mr. Lichtman a sense of where council wants to go," Salci said. It's still possible to do the public-area improvements Lichtman has been seeking. But the rest of the money will have to come from sources other than the city, Salci said. Setting the figure at $12 million is in line with the approach Salci has taken since Historic Niagara surfaced last year. Salci has consistently said the city should try get the provincial and federal government to split the $36-million cost evenly with the city. It's still too soon to know how fully Niagara Falls should go along with Lichtman's project, Salci said. City officials are waiting for the completion of a market study and business plan they commissioned after Lichtman wouldn't share his own market research with the city. "We still have to decide what we're going to do once we get all the questions answered," Salci said, adding the last time he talked to Lichtman, in December, he told him it was time he answered all the questions city officials had about the plan. Monday's vote required both Salci and Ald. Jim Diodati - the only two supporters of Historic Niagara re-elected - to reverse the positions they had taken last year. They were among the five who had voted in the majority to put the $36 million figure into the budget. "I didn't want to be the sole dissenter," Diodati said, adding it was important for council to start this term with a "unified" approach on this issue. "I could see the writing on the wall and it's more important council be unanimous in its direction," Diodati said.

Files from the Niagara Falls Review

History:

- Nov. 2004: City releases Community Improvement Plan; recommends how to revitalize downtown.

- Jan. 2006: Aaron Lichtman's Historic Niagara project calls for $36 million in public infrastructure improvements to spur creation of $170-million retail shopping district downtown.

- May 2006: City council adds $36 million to five-year capital budget.

- Oct. 2006: Council votes 5-4 against reducing $36 million figure to $12 million.

- Nov. 2006: Election changes makeup of council.

- Jan. 2007: Council votes unanimously to reduce its financial commitment for downtown revitalization to maximum of $12 million.


Previous Post Link: NF Downtown Re-vitalization

WHO WILL LET THE DOGS OUT?

OHL COULD HIT THE ICE BY THIS YEAR?

COREY LAROCQUE
Local News - Tuesday, January 09, 2007

The Mississauga IceDogs junior A hockey team could call Niagara Falls their new home as early as this September, if the team's owners and city council can make a deal to build a new 5,000-seat arena. Capital Sports Management Inc., owns two Ontario Hockey League teams - the IceDogs and the St. Michael's Majors in Toronto. But the OHL won't allow them to own two teams, so the company is working with Toronto investor John Bitove and arena designers Stadium Consultants International to put the IceDogs in Niagara Falls, so the Majors can move to Mississauga. "When you come with all those assets, we're pretty strong. We're bullish on Niagara Falls," Capital Sports president Roy Mlakar said after making a presentation to city council Monday night.Council voted to create a committee to look into Capital Management's proposal. It will have to happen quickly - the OHL has a governors meeting at the end of January, when they will want to know what Capital Management has done to sell its second team. "I wish I could have brought this to you a year ago. That wasn't the case, because it wasn't available," said Gary Green, a former National Hockey League coach who now works for Stadium Consultants International. His company wants to design a new OHL-sized arena for Niagara Falls. City officials recognized they have to decide quickly if they want to go along with Capital Sports proposal. "I'm anxious to get into the nuts and bolts of the deal and the business plan," said Ald. Vince Kerrio, one of five aldermen who will sit on a temporary committee to examine the proposal. Capital Sports' plan would require a partnership with the city of Niagara Falls. The hockey company wants the city to build a $35-million sports and entertainment complex that would become the new home of the IceDogs. The hockey team would use the centre 40 or 50 nights a year, but it would be available for community events like boat shows, concerts, wrestling or boxing, said Green, estimating it could be busy up to 100 times a year. Bitove said he would likely rename the team - possibly as the Flyers, in tribute to the team that played here from 1960 to 1982. The team would sign a 20-year lease, making it the anchor tenant in the city-owned building, he said. "We want the franchise to be stable," Bitove said after the meeting. The Niagara Falls market is ripe for OHL hockey, said Mlakar, noting the only reason there isn't a team here any more is seating capacity at the 56-year-old Niagara Falls Memorial arena is too small for the needs of OHL teams. "We want to see the OHL return to Niagara Falls. It's got a tremendous tradition to it," said Green. This is the second time in less than a year city council has heard proposals to bring junior A hockey back to Niagara Falls. But this new bid is unrelated to the one from JDS Delcor city council rejected last October. JDS, a company led by lawyer Ernie Coetzee, former NHL player Steve Ludzik and hockey expert Don Cherry, said they could get a team if they could make a similar deal with the city. Coetzee said his group hasn't had any contact with city officials since October. Council members said they were impressed by the reputation of Capital Sports, the company owned by businessman Eugene Melnyk, which also owns the Ottawa Senators and a potential team owner like Bitove, a partner with Wayne Gretzky in his restaurant in Toronto. Bitove's family was responsible for bringing the National Basketball Association's Raptors to Toronto. Mayor Ted Salci said this proposal is coming from "credible contenders." "We have an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and be creative."

Files form the Niagara Falls Review

The OHL's Mississauga IceDogs could become the Niagara Flyers by September. Here's how, according to a proposal council heard Monday:

Who: Capital Sports Management, owners of OHL teams Mississauga IceDogs and St. Michael Majors.

What: They want to sell IceDogs to investor John Bitove Jr. and move them to Niagara Falls.

Where: City of Niagara Falls could build $35-million arena anywhere

When: Could play at Memorial Arena in September, while City of Niagara Falls builds new 5,000-seat sports and entertainment centre.

How: City builds new arena, hockey team takes long-term lease as anchor tenant.

Why?: Capital Sports owns two teams; OHL says it must divest one.

NGH GETS NEW EMERGENCY ROOM

NEW HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM SET TO OPEN

The Review
Local News - Tuesday, January 09, 2007

The public can attend an open house at the new Greater Niagara General Hospital emergency centre Friday. Visitors to the GNGH can take guided tours of the new Jeff Morgan Emergency Department from 2 to 8 p.m. Also, children are invited to bring their "injured" teddy bears and other stuffed toys for some special attention at the Teddy Bear Clinic.

Files from the Niagara Falls Review

GALAXY GOLF IS IN THE DARK!

DISMANTLING THE INTERIOR! The largest indoor Glow in the dark mini putt in Canada, is under going an interior face lift. This is part of the Tim Horton's plaza built last Winter and opening in the Spring of 2006.

PYRAMID PLACE RENOVATIONS?

CONSTANT ACTIVITY WITH LITTLE TRANSFORMATION! That is my new motto for the Pyramid Place work, that has been going on for awhile now. The North side of the building has had workers gutting a section of the interior for a couple of weeks, and two weeks ago Signature Signs was installing the base support for a new sign at the corner of Fallsview and Robinson street. Even though work always seems to be going on at this building, it never seems to change the outlook of it .

ICEDOGS COULD LAND IN THE FALLS!

NEW OHL BID KNOCKING ON COUNCIL'S DOOR!

COREY LAROCQUE
Local News - Saturday, January 06, 2007

A new chance to revive junior A hockey in Niagara Falls is emerging, with owners of the Mississauga IceDogs showing interest in moving the team here, a letter from the team's owner suggests. "We would like to discuss with you a current potential opportunity that we have for Niagara Falls for consideration," Roy Mlakar, president of Capital Sports, wrote in a letter to city hall. Executives from the Ottawa-based company are on the agenda for a special council meeting Monday. Capital Sports owns the Ottawa Senators National Hockey League team and the Mississauga IceDogs, who play in the Ontario Hockey League. In his Dec. 19 letter, Mlakar asked to make a presentation to city council Monday and discuss details of their proposal. Canadian Hockey League commissioner David Branch is also on the agenda for Monday's meeting. Mayor Ted Salci called the unscheduled session Friday morning. "We'll be anxious to hear what they'll say," Salci said in an interview, refusing to speculate about Capital Sports' proposal. But when asked if he knew if Capital's "opportunity" meant moving a team to this city, the mayor said "yes." It's the second time in less than a year an ownership group has proposed bringing OHL-level hockey back to Niagara Falls, which hosted the Flyers and Thunder franchises from the 1960s to the 1990s.JDS Delcor, a partnership involving Toronto lawyer Ernie Coetzee and Steve Ludzik, a former NHL player from Niagara Falls, pitched a similar idea last year.They wanted to revive the Thunder franchise in a 5,700-seat, $46-million arena they would have built jointly with the city. Those talks broke down last fall when council rejected the latest offer JDS had put on the table over financial terms. Instead of building an OHL-size venue, the city is moving ahead with its plans for a twin-pad complex near the intersection of Stanley Avenue and Thorold Stone Road, Salci said. Coetzee said Friday his group has nothing to do with the new proposal. His partners haven't had any contact with city hall since before the municipal election in November. But he still thinks the Niagara region is a good market for OHL hockey. "We're still ready, willing and able to do a deal in the Niagara region," he said. Other council members haven't heard much about what Capital Sports will propose. But Ald. Vince Kerrio said they should listen Monday, then decide how to proceed. "I'd love to see OHL hockey come back to our area again. It has to be a great deal for our city," said Kerrio, who was council's representative in the talks with JDS. Any OHL deal will likely require the city to chip in to build an arena, but the more money the private investors have, the more likely a deal will work. "We need partners that have money," Kerrio said. Capital Sports was an unsolicited proposal and not related to the JDS Delcor bid council considered last year, Salci said. Capital Sports already owns a team, while JDS Delcor said it had made arrangements to acquire one if they could make a deal with the city. By coming to the table with a team, Capital is in a different league from JDS, Salci said. "We're talking about the team owners and the league. We've got some credible people here." History and geography might be the reasons hockey investors have been showing interest in Niagara Falls recently, Salci said. "The fact we had a team in the past and our strategic location is playing a factor."

Files from the Niagara Falls Review

HILTON EXPANSION TO BEGIN SOON! "UPDATE"

"UPDATE" DENNY'S CLOSED FOR GOOD! No sooner did the restaurant close its doors for the last time, that workers showed up to take the Denny's signs down off the building. They had also began to dismantle the interior of the former restaurant immediately!


DENNY'S IS CLOSING, CONFIRMED! Workers were busy yesterday installing semi-permanent chain link fencing, throughout the perimeter of the Fallsview Hilton Hotel parking lot. This would only make it obvious that this fencing will be standing for the next two years. Also next door the Days Inn is no longer open with a sign in the window that reads... "For room accommodations and pre-booked reservations, please go to the Hilton, located directly behind this hotel.. Sorry for any inconveniences, The Management." And for final confirmation, a worker at the Denny's adjacent to the Hilton Hotel, informed me that they will be permanently closed come this Sunday.

Hilton Expansion Link: Hilton Modified To 52 Floors

MORRISON ROAD PLAZA "UPDATE"

PUTTING THE BRICKS TO IT! This soon to be office plaza is on the last leg of its construction life. It is directly across from the Zellers store on Morrison road.

MONTHLY REVIEW JANUARY 2007

"WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR!"

Happy New Year everyone. As promised last month, I wanted to add my own personal opinion to this blog once a month. The truth is that there really is nothing of substance going on in Niagara Falls right now! However in a nutshell, here is what is either rumored, going on, or may start in the near future.

*Last year city council approved a new 3000 seat twin pad sports arena. This will likely begin this Spring once the final project design phase is completed, being led by the selected Architectural team of Barry Bryan Associates Limited. The prospect of bringing back an OHL franchise with a 5700 seat 4 pad arena complex is according to those involved, officially dead with JDS Delcor! .....* The Fallsview Hilton expansion @ 52 stories is still involved in crossing the t's and dotting the i's so to speak. When I see a closed sign on the Denny's next door then I know it's time for action. Until then this is just another proposed highrise..... *Speaking of Highrises, the 29 story Niagara Condominium Residences on River Road is still a go for the Spring, but no word on how sales of the units have been so far.....*The Rainbow Tower that was part of the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark proposal still has no action. Last word I received was that the the new 59 story Rainbow tower and hotel project is currently in a holding pattern. The necessary amending zoning by-law has not been passed yet and a section 37 agreement is still outstanding. We understand that the owner may be contemplating a redesign..... *Other projects that are worth mentioning are the new retail outlet replacing the old Tower ride on Clifton Hill, which has begun it's structural supports. Motel 6 is coming along nicely. Country Inn & Suites is as well. The Boutique hotel on Ellen Avenue, which is part of the newly named Niagara Loop is also progressing nicely with the main focus on the interior at the moment. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada may start soon. The owners of the stalled Crowne Plaza Hotel are looking into building with the existing cement slab, a new condo tower. And maybe after years of non-action the city may finally see a new Convention Centre. This coming Spring may see many projects taking off as well. Such as the new Canadian Tire at the Niagara Square SC as well as a replacement for the soon to be closed and leveled Bay Department store. Nina's Luxury Condominium's which has two buildings proposed at 8 floors, could also receive approval. So here is to another year of progress throughout the city of Niagara Falls and for the entire Niagara region!

Thank-you for visiting.

Previous Post Link: December 2006

ZAPPI'S PIZZA & SUBS ITALIAN EATERY

BRINGING IN THE BACKHOE! Zappi's at the corner of Dunn and Stanley, recently had a backhoe out back of their parking lot doing a little excavating.

FOOTINGS ARE IN!

MAKING PROGRESS ALONG LUNDY'S LANE. This is the old Sally Ann Building, which came down in late November to make way for more retail in the area.

Previous Post Link: Down Comes Sally Ann Building

NIAGARA FALLS OFFERS A WINTER WONDERLAND

"NIAGARA FALLS IS A BEST-KEPT SECRET"

Niagara Falls, Ontario offers winter travelers a one-of-a-kind experience like no other destination in the world. With glistening snow, sparkling ice, and so many things to see and do. The NiagaraFallsBest.com travel experts share their top picks for winter fun with visitors to this beautiful area. Magnificent fireworks displays, the snowy splendor of the world-famous waterfalls, and delightful home-grown wines from more than 70 local wineries at the 12th Annual Niagara Icewine Festival which runs January 19 – 28 are some of the best Niagara Falls winter experiences. Guest also enjoy a world of tranquility and serenity at fine Niagara day spas, antique shopping for local treasures, and sightseeing at a selection of the many area museums and historic sites. Whether the traveler is seeking rest and relaxation or fun-filled winter excitement, they are sure to find that Niagara Falls offers a multitude of activities designed to please visitors of all ages. Delicious cuisine, outstanding nightlife, world-class casinos, and entertainment galore make for a truly memorable vacation. This two-nation vacation destination provides a myriad of lodging options to suit the needs of everyone – from lavish accommodations or charming bed and breakfasts to those suitable for travelers on a budget. Niagara Falls visitors now have a trustworthy place to turn NiagaraFallsBest.com for unbiased reservations information and regional travel help. Anyone interested in a memorable Niagara Falls getaway should
visit them online at: http://www.NiagaraFallsBest.com or call toll-free: 1.877.465.3368. NiagaraFallsBest.com is a GoldenTravelGuides.com Company. Headquartered at 366 North Courtland Street, Suite B in East Stroudsburg, in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, GoldenTravelGuides, a subsidiary of Golden Interests, Inc., is the largest leisure travel agency in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the Northeastern United States. GoldenTravelGuides is a member of the Pocono Mountains (PA) Chamber of Commerce, the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau (PMVB), the Naples and Key West (FL) Chambers of Commerce, the Sullivan County (NY) Chamber of Commerce, and the Pike and Wayne County (PA) Chambers of Commerce. GoldenTravelGuides publishes more than 80 Internet-based guides to the “Best of” cities like the Poconos, Atlantic City, Naples, Hershey, Tunica, Niagara Falls, and Punta Cana. They arrange for groups, leisure, and business travelers at more than 40,000 hotels across the world. They can be reached toll free at: 1.877.465.3368 or online at: http://www.GoldenTravelGuides.com.

Files from PRLEAP.COM