Don't rule out Niagara Falls, N.Y. as Bills future home

[Kirby Jackson]

 

For those really dying to go to "Niagara Falls", it's quite simple to simply go over the border to where all they are seeking already exists. The State understands this.

Of course the state understands this but in now way would they be content to just let all of that money be spent in Canada instead of the US. That's the entire point. If they can bring some o that money back into NY they would be thrilled.

[GG]

If you believe USA Niagara (with an annual budget of about $3.5 million) makes the state "full in" on Niagara Falls, I've got some prime land in the North End I'd like to sell you...

 

http://www.niagarafa...USANiagara.html

 

 

Even the Governor's $20 million commitment (over 5 years) to the Downtown Niagara Falls Development Challenge is small potatoes by funding standards:

 

http://www.governor....n-niagara-falls

 

The operating budget of USA Niagara is irrelevant to the support the state is willing to throw into the region. You have no idea of what's in the planning stages, what's being proposed and negotiated. We do know that Milstein and Cuomo are very tight, to the point of raising conflicts questions.

 

So without jumping to the eventuality of a retractable dome stadium to be built on land somewhere in WNY, it's good to see that NYS is at least looking to save some taxpayer dollars by combining projects.

[GG]

NF has tried entertainment (the Casino) and shopping (outlets). It hasn't worked. Why would it now? As for more convention square footage, where is the demand? It would just steal business from the nearby Buffalo Convention Center. Why would the State be interested in that?

 

Google is your friend.

 

...

While the conference center has consistently grown its convention schedule, it still lags behind the new Scotiabank Convention Centre on the other side of the border.

The conference center on Old Falls Street saw 13 conventions and 117 meetings and conferences in 2012. The average convention size was 775 attendees while the average conference or meeting drew 99 people. The largest convention at the conference center in 2012 — the American Culinary Federation Convention — drew 900 people. The conference center saw 22,000 visitors in total last year.

By comparison, the Scotiabank Convention Centre on the Canadian side of the Falls — which opened in 2011 — saw 130 events, 70 of which were conferences and trade shows, in 2012. Those averaged about 750 people per event and their largest convention drew 25,000 people. The center has seen about 250,000 people a year since opening, according to numbers provided by the center’s staff.

Kerry Painter, the president and general manager of the Scotiabank Convention Centre, said that the state-of-the-art facility she runs would not be nearly as successful as it has been without the glut of high-end options for visitors within walking distance of the center.

[Lurker]

You have no idea of what's in the planning stages, what's being proposed and negotiated.

Do you? I keep a pretty close eye on what Empire State Development is doing and outside of the Rainbow Center project, I don't see any 'game changers' on the horizon...including a (transportation challenged) stadium proposal.

 

Including Dyster on the stadium panel is a nice shout out to regionalism, but I don't give Niagara Falls more than a 10% chance of winning the site selection sweepstakes.

[Homey D. Clown]

Jeez... I really hope beyond all hope this never happens. I can't for the life of me see anyone supporting this idea, when downtown Buffalo is now on the rise, and really needing this as an anchor to its waterfront. I love RWS, it was always a fun ride out to the country as a kid, but the stadium belongs in the city which bears it's name. It would be just another punch in the gut to the city of Buffalo and all that the county has given over the last 5 plus decades. I can't see anyone in Erie county office even letting this happen even if it gains any traction, which it really shouldn't. And lets just factor out the fact that downtown Niagara falls by and large is still a colossal mess(tried not to call it a dump, but how will the aerial shots of the stadium look as it sits within a sniff of Mount Trashmore)?

 

Improve the peace bridge, and I'm sorry to say, but the drive to Buffalo isn't that much further, in fact, it would still be shorter a drive than going to Orchard Park. There is literally no benefit to putting it anywhere else, at least nothing I have read here or anywhere else that is enough to put an NFL stadium in that city.

Edited April 15, 2014 by Homey D. Clown

[GG]

Do you? I keep a pretty close eye on what Empire State Development is doing and outside of the Rainbow Center project, I don't see any 'game changers' on the horizon...including a (transportation challenged) stadium proposal.

 

Including Dyster on the stadium panel is a nice shout out to regionalism, but I don't give Niagara Falls more than a 10% chance of winning the site selection sweepstakes.

 

I don't know what's being proposed. But I also know that Lt Gov wouldn't be throwing out site recommendations out of the blue.

[Mr. WEO]

Google is your friend.

 

Yes it is. But it was harder to find all the evidence that the State is going "full in" in NF.

 

Also, your google search nicely illustrates the point that adding more convention space (and in NF) would be a bad idea. Let Ms. Kerry Painter tell you why:

 

"Kerry Painter, the president and general manager of the Scotiabank Convention Centre, said that the state-of-the-art facility she runs would not be nearly as successful as it has been without the glut of high-end options for visitors within walking distance of the center".

 

Rather than a glut, NF has a dearth of high end options withing walking distance of Mr. Milstein's 140 acre "Redevelopment zone" (since 2003--undeveloped) wonderland.

 

So, again, adding a 3rd convention center to the area makes little sense. Especially since any convention center depends on local entertainment attractions to survive. By all accounts, this country has a glut of convention space--including in places much more attractive than NF. (Google "convention center glut", and stand back...). New convention construction is a bad idea. New convention center construction as a means to rejuvinate a small decaying town is the definition of predictable failure and makes no sense policy-wise or as an development investment. Just crazy.

[GG]

Yes it is. But it was harder to find all the evidence that the State is going "full in" in NF.

 

Also, your google search nicely illustrates the point that adding more convention space (and in NF) would be a bad idea. Let Ms. Kerry Painter tell you why:

 

"Kerry Painter, the president and general manager of the Scotiabank Convention Centre, said that the state-of-the-art facility she runs would not be nearly as successful as it has been without the glut of high-end options for visitors within walking distance of the center".

 

Rather than a glut, NF has a dearth of high end options withing walking distance of Mr. Milstein's 140 acre "Redevelopment zone" (since 2003--undeveloped) wonderland.

 

So, again, adding a 3rd convention center to the area makes little sense. Especially since any convention center depends on local entertainment attractions to survive. By all accounts, this country has a glut of convention space--including in places much more attractive than NF. (Google "convention center glut", and stand back...). New convention construction is a bad idea. New convention center construction as a means to rejuvinate a small decaying town is the definition of predictable failure and makes no sense policy-wise or as an development investment. Just crazy.

 

I know you like to be intentionally obtuse to stimulate an argument, but it doesn't fly with me. The OP story was not to discuss the merits of putting the stadium in Niagara Falls, it was about the state recommending other sites for consideration, because the state obviously wants joint use facilities if it is going to throw in development funds.

 

Now you can continue with your circle fest on why Niagara Falls NY hasn't lived up to its promise, but that doesn't lessen the fact that NF is the second most popular tourist destination in the state, yet most of the tourism dollars go to the Canadian side. It doesn't take a genius to understand that it's in the state's best interest to figure out a way to even out the dollar flow.

[Delete This Account]

I know you like to be intentionally obtuse to stimulate an argument, but it doesn't fly with me. The OP story was not to discuss the merits of putting the stadium in Niagara Falls, it was about the state recommending other sites for consideration, because the state obviously wants joint use facilities if it is going to throw in development funds.

 

Now you can continue with your circle fest on why Niagara Falls NY hasn't lived up to its promise, but that doesn't lessen the fact that NF is the second most popular tourist destination in the state, yet most of the tourism dollars go to the Canadian side. It doesn't take a genius to understand that it's in the state's best interest to figure out a way to even out the dollar flow.

 

[Hammered a Lot]

Do you? I keep a pretty close eye on what Empire State Development is doing and outside of the Rainbow Center project, I don't see any 'game changers' on the horizon...including a (transportation challenged) stadium proposal.

 

Including Dyster on the stadium panel is a nice shout out to regionalism, but I don't give Niagara Falls more than a 10% chance of winning the site selection sweepstakes.

[Mr. WEO]

I know you like to be intentionally obtuse to stimulate an argument, but it doesn't fly with me. The OP story was not to discuss the merits of putting the stadium in Niagara Falls, it was about the state recommending other sites for consideration, because the state obviously wants joint use facilities if it is going to throw in development funds.

 

Now you can continue with your circle fest on why Niagara Falls NY hasn't lived up to its promise, but that doesn't lessen the fact that NF is the second most popular tourist destination in the state, yet most of the tourism dollars go to the Canadian side. It doesn't take a genius to understand that it's in the state's best interest to figure out a way to even out the dollar flow.

 

I think it's pretty clear that the OP was breaking the news that NF is being considered. That much (such as it was) is clear. But you and others have moved the discussion towards the merits of why it should be considered. I disagree with your reasoning as to why it is in the state's best interest. Nothing obtuse here. If the state had such a burning interest, it would have addressed it long ago. It wouldn't have waited for the serendipitous passing or Mr. Wilson to sudden bestow all sorts or public largess (well, whatever "full in" means) on NF in order to "even out the dollar flow". A convention center, as suggested, is a very bad idea.

Edited April 15, 2014 by Mr. WEO

[Delete This Account]

Do you? I keep a pretty close eye on what Empire State Development is doing and outside of the Rainbow Center project, I don't see any 'game changers' on the horizon...including a (transportation challenged) stadium proposal.

 

Including Dyster on the stadium panel is a nice shout out to regionalism, but I don't give Niagara Falls more than a 10% chance of winning the site selection sweepstakes.

 

so, let me get this straight. you don't see any "game-changers" on the horizon, while acknowledging NF has at least a 10 percent chance of winning the site selection sweepstakes. essentially, you're saying a stadium in Niagara Falls could essentially be on the horizon.

 

i'm not into arguing the merits for or against Niagara Falls, but all this talk about "transportation-challenged" Niagara Falls is a bit thin. let me get this straight: should NF, by the very slight chance, actually be selected as a location for a new stadium, this new stadium would materialize out of the Falls mist in virtually an instant before anyone has any iota of a time to plan for never mind improve the infrastructure.

 

jw

 

and who would the powers that be turn to if not, say, the NYState Thruway Authority, which would probably be completely caught off guard by these developments because, oh wait ...

Edited April 15, 2014 by john wawrow

[Lurker]

If the state had such a burning interest, it would have addressed it long ago. It wouldn't have waited for the serendipitous passing or Mr. Wilson to sudden bestow all sorts or public largess

 

Well, it does make some sense for the state to wait and see how the post-Ralph ownership situation will shake out, much as it's doing now.

 

While he was alive, Ralph wasn't looking for a new stadium, only improvements to the existing facility. IIRC, Every time a new stadium proposal came up, Ralph would poo poo it So New York State saying "hey, Ralph, how about a new stadium" wouldn't have been much of a starter.

 

Personally, I don't see a Niagara Falls location as logistically viable, but a new downtown Buffalo venue makes good sense, especially if it can leverage the Canalside investments already underway.

 

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=Canalside&fb=1&gl=us&hq=canalside&cid=3480545830268820180&ei=xrNNU7S4NdDnsAS744KYAw&ved=0CJQBEPwSMAw

[Prickly Pete]

Google is your friend.

 

Getting Canadian businesses to hold conventions in Niagara Falls, Canada, is a whole different thing than getting American companies to hold conventions in Niagara Falls USA. Obviously, Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, and for Canadians Southern Ontario is a real destination (and they certainly aren't going to book on the US side). For American companies, heading north to WNY is, well...not so appealing. WNY will never be a big area for conventions.

 

Obviously, one of the buyers is interested in moving the Bills to NF, but I don't believe it will happen for the variety of reasons people have posted here.

[Delete This Account]

Well, it does make some sense for the state to wait and see how the post-Ralph ownership situation will shake out, much as it's doing now.

 

While he was alive, Ralph wasn't looking for a new stadium, only improvements to the existing facility. IIRC, Every time a new stadium proposal came up, Ralph would poo poo it So New York State saying "hey, Ralph, how about a new stadium" wouldn't have been much of a starter.

 

Personally, I don't see a Niagara Falls location as logistically viable, but a new downtown Buffalo venue makes good sense, especially if it can leverage the Canalside investments already underway.

 

https://maps.google....ed=0CJQBEPwSMAw

 

there are questions regarding rising land prices in Buffalo, and that the chance for finding an ideal location in the city may have passed Buffalo by. ... note, i said ideal. i didn't say "any."

 

jw

[Lurker]

so, let me get this straight. you don't see any "game-changers" on the horizon, while acknowledging NF has at least a 10 percent chance of winning the site selection sweepstakes. essentially, you're saying a stadium in Niagara Falls could essentially be on the horizon.

John, I'm not sure why you're twisting my words. Anything's possible when it comes to New York State politics, but IMO a 10% likelihood is pretty slim, not something on the "horizon." Sort of like the Sabres making the playoffs next year (might happen, but nah...no it won't).

 

So Duffy say "Niagara Falls" and we're supposed to think he's doing anything more than being courteous to Paul Dyster--who's a good guy by Niagara Falls mayoral standards and a team player in the regional planning environment that Cuomo's pushing across the state. Not much of a commitment, more like an off hand comment from a guy who's got one foot out the door on his way back to Flower City to run the Rochester Business Alliance.

 

As I said in a previous post, I don't think the transportation infrastructure to and from downtown Niagara Falls is anywhere near capable of handling a game day scenario. The Robert Moses is a parkway, not a high volume highway. It would take years of planning to build a new highway (take the Route 219 extension as an example), and involve significant money from Washington--where the appetite to send dollars to a Democratic state led by a potential 2016 or 2020 presidential candidate would be next to nil.

 

Connecting the dots from the Thruway Authority to Milstein is a stretch in my opinion, since that's just a figurehead office. He has no power to commit multiple millions of dollars to a new highway that's not currently part of the Thruway system anymore than you or I do.

 

Lastly, even if the idea of a Niagara Falls location somehow managed to get a little traction, the backlash from the Erie County political establishment would be enormous and Cuomo would never want to get on the wrong side of that...the "Buffalo Billion" is all about winning Erie County, which Andrew's fixated on a whole lot more than it's little neighbor to the north.

 

I'm not going to change your mind, you're not going to change mine. Let's just let this discussion go and save SDS some server space...

[Delete This Account]

John, I'm not sure why you're twisting my words. Anything's possible when it comes to New York State politics, but IMO a 10% likelihood is pretty slim, not something on the "horizon." Sort of like the Sabres making the playoffs next year (might happen, but nah...no it won't).

 

So Duffy say "Niagara Falls" and we're supposed to think he's doing anything more than being courteous to Paul Dyster--who's a good guy by Niagara Falls mayoral standards and a team player in the regional planning environment that Cuomo's pushing across the state. Not much of a commitment, more like an off hand comment from a guy who's got one foot out the door on his way back to Flower City to run the Rochester Business Alliance.

 

As I said in a previous post, I don't think the transportation infrastructure to and from downtown Niagara Falls is anywhere near capable of handling a game day scenario. The Robert Moses is a parkway, not a high volume highway. It would take years of planning to build a new highway (take the Route 219 extension as an example), and involve significant money from Washington--where the appetite to send dollars to a Democratic state led by a potential 2016 or 2020 presidential candidate would be next to nil.

 

Connecting the dots from the Thruway Authority to Milstein is a stretch in my opinion, since that's just a figurehead office. He has no power to commit multiple millions of dollars to a new highway that's not currently part of the Thruway system anymore than you or I do.

 

Lastly, even if the idea of a Niagara Falls location somehow managed to get a little traction, the backlash from the Erie County political establishment would be enormous and Cuomo would never want to get on the wrong side of that...the "Buffalo Billion" is all about winning Erie County, which Andrew's fixated on a whole lot more than it's little neighbor to the north.

 

I'm not going to change your mind, you're not going to change mine. Let's just let this discussion go and save SDS some server space...

 

here's the thing, we were going to report the Niagara Falls angle with or without Duffy and with or without Dyster.

their comments did not prompt the story.

 

jw

[Gugny]

John, I'm not sure why you're twisting my words. Anything's possible when it comes to New York State politics, but IMO a 10% likelihood is pretty slim, not something on the "horizon." Sort of like the Sabres making the playoffs next year (might happen, but nah...no it won't).

 

So Duffy say "Niagara Falls" and we're supposed to think he's doing anything more than being courteous to Paul Dyster--who's a good guy by Niagara Falls mayoral standards and a team player in the regional planning environment that Cuomo's pushing across the state. Not much of a commitment, more like an off hand comment from a guy who's got one foot out the door on his way back to Flower City to run the Rochester Business Alliance.

 

As I said in a previous post, I don't think the transportation infrastructure to and from downtown Niagara Falls is anywhere near capable of handling a game day scenario. The Robert Moses is a parkway, not a high volume highway. It would take years of planning to build a new highway (take the Route 219 extension as an example), and involve significant money from Washington--where the appetite to send dollars to a Democratic state led by a potential 2016 or 2020 presidential candidate would be next to nil.

 

Connecting the dots from the Thruway Authority to Milstein is a stretch in my opinion, since that's just a figurehead office. He has no power to commit multiple millions of dollars to a new highway that's not currently part of the Thruway system anymore than you or I do.

 

Lastly, even if the idea of a Niagara Falls location somehow managed to get a little traction, the backlash from the Erie County political establishment would be enormous and Cuomo would never want to get on the wrong side of that...the "Buffalo Billion" is all about winning Erie County, which Andrew's fixated on a whole lot more than it's little neighbor to the north.

 

I'm not going to change your mind, you're not going to change mine. Let's just let this discussion go and save SDS some server space...

You sure have a lot of posts for a lurker.

[Lurker]

You sure have a lot of posts for a lurker.

You're right. I gave this place up a long wile back, but Ralph's passing seems to have sucked me back into TSW's gravitational pull. Better hit the afterburners and scram back out of here...

[Gugny]

You're right. I gave this place up a long wile back, but Ralph's passing seems to have sucked me back into TSW's gravitational pull. Better hit the afterburners and scram back out of here...

Why? It's fun. Especially when Beerball isn't around.

[Mr. WEO]

John, I'm not sure why you're twisting my words. Anything's possible when it comes to New York State politics, but IMO a 10% likelihood is pretty slim, not something on the "horizon." Sort of like the Sabres making the playoffs next year (might happen, but nah...no it won't).

 

So Duffy say "Niagara Falls" and we're supposed to think he's doing anything more than being courteous to Paul Dyster--who's a good guy by Niagara Falls mayoral standards and a team player in the regional planning environment that Cuomo's pushing across the state. Not much of a commitment, more like an off hand comment from a guy who's got one foot out the door on his way back to Flower City to run the Rochester Business Alliance.

 

As I said in a previous post, I don't think the transportation infrastructure to and from downtown Niagara Falls is anywhere near capable of handling a game day scenario. The Robert Moses is a parkway, not a high volume highway. It would take years of planning to build a new highway (take the Route 219 extension as an example), and involve significant money from Washington--where the appetite to send dollars to a Democratic state led by a potential 2016 or 2020 presidential candidate would be next to nil.

 

Connecting the dots from the Thruway Authority to Milstein is a stretch in my opinion, since that's just a figurehead office. He has no power to commit multiple millions of dollars to a new highway that's not currently part of the Thruway system anymore than you or I do.

 

Lastly, even if the idea of a Niagara Falls location somehow managed to get a little traction, the backlash from the Erie County political establishment would be enormous and Cuomo would never want to get on the wrong side of that...the "Buffalo Billion" is all about winning Erie County, which Andrew's fixated on a whole lot more than it's little neighbor to the north.

 

I'm not going to change your mind, you're not going to change mine. Let's just let this discussion go and save SDS some server space...

 

Good points. I suggested similar to what I bolded above. It raised the indignation of the 4th estate.

 

here's the thing, we were going to report the Niagara Falls angle with or without Duffy and with or without Dyster.

their comments did not prompt the story.

 

jw

 

The article entitled "Niagara Falls possible home for Bills" appears days after Duffy's comments about NF and leads with his comments about NF , but....it was not prompted by his comments. Got it.

[Delete This Account]

Good points. I suggested similar to what I bolded above. It raised the indignation of the 4th estate.

 

 

 

The article entitled "Niagara Falls possible home for Bills" appears days after Duffy's comments about NF and leads with his comments about NF , but....it was not prompted by his comments. Got it.

 

funny, given i had the byline. you really are obtuse.

 

jw

[Mr. WEO]

funny, given i had the byline. you really are obtuse.

 

jw

 

No jw. Just incredulous.

[jimmy10]

Loud noises.

[dave mcbride]

 

 

I know you like to be intentionally obtuse to stimulate an argument, but it doesn't fly with me. The OP story was not to discuss the merits of putting the stadium in Niagara Falls, it was about the state recommending other sites for consideration, because the state obviously wants joint use facilities if it is going to throw in development funds.

 

Now you can continue with your circle fest on why Niagara Falls NY hasn't lived up to its promise, but that doesn't lessen the fact that NF is the second most popular tourist destination in the state, yet most of the tourism dollars go to the Canadian side. It doesn't take a genius to understand that it's in the state's best interest to figure out a way to even out the dollar flow.

 

Just throwing this out there, Gerry -- the reason why the Canadian side gets so much more traffic is because, well, the view of the Falls from that side is at least ten times better. If you're a tourist going to NF, you're probably going because of the Falls. The Canadian side is far superior in terms of the view, and it has the cave of the winds. That's never going to change, and that's why the Canadian side will always be the preferred destination of a tourist with half a brain (although there is a benefit flowing from the lower traffic on the US side -- shorter waits in the Maid of the Mist line).

 

 

You're right. I gave this place up a long wile back, but Ralph's passing seems to have sucked me back into TSW's gravitational pull. Better hit the afterburners and scram back out of here...

You're a good poster! Don't go back to lurking!

 

 

 

No jw. Just incredulous.

Why wouldn't you trust JW? That's bad faith.

 

Edited April 16, 2014 by dave mcbride

[Mr. WEO]

Just throwing this out there, Gerry -- the reason why the Canadian side gets so much more traffic is because, well, the view of the Falls from that side is at least ten times better. If you're a tourist going to NF, you're probably going because of the Falls. The Canadian side is far superior in terms of the view, and it has the cave of the winds. That's never going to change, and that's why the Canadian side will always be the preferred destination of a tourist with half a brain (although there is a benefit flowing from the lower traffic on the US side -- shorter waits in the Maid of the Mist line).

 

 

You're a good poster! Don't go back to lurking!

 

 

Why wouldn't you trust JW? That's bad faith.

 

It's not a matter of trust....

[Gugny]

It's not a matter of trust....

If it was ... you could very well be Billy Joel.

[dave mcbride]

 

 

It's not a matter of trust....

It's hard to read what you wrote and interpret any other way. Just sayin' ...

[Mr. WEO]

If it was ... you could very well be Billy Joel.

 

Damn!

[Delete This Account]

It's not a matter of trust....

 

i'll finish the answer for you. it's quite clear that you're incapable of comprehending that someone might have more answers on certain topics than you, which you find to be incredulous.

how could it be that someone actually learned something before you did? impossible as that may sound, it happens, bubba.

 

to suggest that you know what i know is the height of ego, because i might not know much except for the fact that you're incapable of reason on this issue and you continue to prove it with each post you make.

 

to suggest that i didn't learn something that i didn't learn is the height of blather.

 

let's make a deal, then: prove to me that you know what i know. read my mind (ok, beyond that middle finger).

 

no, it's not a trick question, it's the corner you've essentially painted yourself into by calling me out and by not only suggesting i reveal what i know, but the preposterous notion that the story i wrote was inspired by one comment. and it's quite evident that you've pegged your entire argument from the beginning based on the belief it was a result of Duffy's statement, to which i say, and i quote: OOOOPS.

 

but please, enlighten us with your brimless wealth of knowledge, karnac.

 

jw

 

ADD: and please, enjoy the attention that you're bringing upon yourself by going up against "the reporter," because unless you fail to work yourself out of this little picadillo of unwarranted accusations without an apology and retraction, i'm blocking you and calling you out as a charlatan (though, the latter has become quite evident). so i'd suggest you cut your losses.

 

ADDII: please don't find it odd, too, that i'd stake my reputation on this.

Edited April 16, 2014 by john wawrow

[Mr. WEO]

i'll finish the answer for you. it's quite clear that you're incapable of comprehending that someone might have more answers on certain topics than you, which you find to be incredulous.

how could it be that someone actually learned something before you did? impossible as that may sound, it happens, bubba.

 

to suggest that you know what i know is the height of ego, because i might not know much except for the fact that you're incapable of reason on this issue and you continue to prove it with each post you make.

 

to suggest that i didn't learn something that i didn't learn is the height of blather.

 

let's make a deal, then: prove to me that you know what i know. read my mind (ok, beyond that middle finger).

 

no, it's not a trick question, it's the corner you've essentially painted yourself into by calling me out and by not only suggesting i reveal what i know, but the preposterous notion that the story i wrote was inspired by one comment. and it's quite evident that you've pegged your entire argument from the beginning based on the belief it was a result of Duffy's statement, to which i say, and i quote: OOOOPS.

 

but please, enlighten us with your brimless wealth of knowledge, karnac.

 

jw

 

ADD: and please, enjoy the attention that you're bringing upon yourself by going up against "the reporter," because unless you fail to work yourself out of this little picadillo of unwarranted accusations without an apology and retraction, i'm blocking you and calling you out as a charlatan (though, the latter has become quite evident). so i'd suggest you cut your losses.

 

ADDII: please don't find it odd, too, that i'd stake my reputation on this.

 

This is getting too...bizarre. I will let your last post stand as it is. Peace, jw..

[GG]

Just throwing this out there, Gerry -- the reason why the Canadian side gets so much more traffic is because, well, the view of the Falls from that side is at least ten times better. If you're a tourist going to NF, you're probably going because of the Falls. The Canadian side is far superior in terms of the view, and it has the cave of the winds. That's never going to change, and that's why the Canadian side will always be the preferred destination of a tourist with half a brain (although there is a benefit flowing from the lower traffic on the US side -- shorter waits in the Maid of the Mist line).

 

The advantage of the Canadian view is undeniable. But the traffic flow still favors the US side and the goal should be capturing more of that traffic flow. Like the classic Chevy Chase Vacation scene at the Grand Canyon - Yup, wow, that's nice. People probably spend 30 minutes max viewing the falls, and the rest of the day on other activities. The Canadian businesses have done a much better job of creating a carnival atmosphere around the falls that keeps people around after the view. The US side has obviously failed miserably in that regard (and for a broader discussion on that, the topic should move to PPP)

 

PS - Cave of the Winds is on the US side

[K-9]

This is getting too...bizarre. I will let your last post stand as it is. Peace, jw..

 

That was a class act. Seriously.

 

GO BILLS!!!

 

The advantage of the Canadian view is undeniable. But the traffic flow still favors the US side and the goal should be capturing more of that traffic flow. Like the classic Chevy Chase Vacation scene at the Grand Canyon - Yup, wow, that's nice. People probably spend 30 minutes max viewing the falls, and the rest of the day on other activities. The Canadian businesses have done a much better job of creating a carnival atmosphere around the falls that keeps people around after the view. The US side has obviously failed miserably in that regard (and for a broader discussion on that, the topic should move to PPP)

 

PS - Cave of the Winds is on the US side

 

Where would we fit the world's LARGEST ball of yarn?

 

GO BILLS!!!

[Metal Man]

Just as a quick side note after browsing through this thread...

 

1. I'm not sure why everyone thinks viewing is so much better on the Canadian side. The US side is definitely a hole in every other possible way but I think the view is very debatable. You can get right next to the american and horseshoe falls on the US side and there are a lot of different views available on goat island that make for great photos. I'd take the US side just for viewing over Canada every time.

 

2. Where does all of this Niagara Falls being one of the 7 wonders talk originate from? I definitely remember always hearing that as a kid growing up in the Buffalo area but after doing some googling yesterday I can't find any 7 Wonders list with Niagara Falls on it.

[dave mcbride]

 

PS - Cave of the Winds is on the US side

You are right. It has been a LONG time for me.

[Bufcomments]

The advantage of the Canadian view is undeniable. But the traffic flow still favors the US side and the goal should be capturing more of that traffic flow. Like the classic Chevy Chase Vacation scene at the Grand Canyon - Yup, wow, that's nice. People probably spend 30 minutes max viewing the falls, and the rest of the day on other activities. The Canadian businesses have done a much better job of creating a carnival atmosphere around the falls that keeps people around after the view. The US side has obviously failed miserably in that regard (and for a broader discussion on that, the topic should move to PPP)

 

PS - Cave of the Winds is on the US side

 

I wonder why the Cave of the Winds is not more hyped up when talking about the Falls.

 

Used to go on these fields trip while I was a kid in Summer Camp, I remember finding it and it was pretty cool.

[dave mcbride]

I wonder why the Cave of the Winds is not more hyped up when talking about the Falls.

 

Used to go on these fields trip while I was a kid in Summer Camp, I remember finding it and it was pretty cool.

 

Yeah, it's actually very cool.

[RJ (not THAT RJ)]

Cave of the Winds rocks.

 

In defense of an earlier poster, though, the Canadian side does have Table Rock, which you access through a cave, so he may have been thinking of that.

[TXBILLSFAN]

It's impossible to write a story that Niagara Falls is a possible location for the stadium and not launch into the debate on whether it makes sense or not and what is the real probability of it happening or not. I just as soon see a more investigative piece on the actual sale process and roles and responsibilities of each constituent in that process than more of the same speculation that has been on these boards for months, if not years. As for my thoughts on NF; I was born and raised there and it will always have a special place in my heart, but putting a stadium in that city would be a BIG mistake for Niagara Falls AND Buffalo. If the state wants to help WNY, invest money for a stadium and associated infrastructure in or very near to downtown Buffalo. The recent revitalization of downtown Buffalo creates the right backdrop to add a stadium and the associated infrastructure including additional restaurants, hotels and shopping similar to what other cities are doing or planning to do around their football stadiums. Downtown Buffalo is where the stadium belongs. As for Niagara Falls, it needs help. Plopping a stadium down and having to build supporting infrastructure will not help what ails that city. NF needs investment from the state to create tourist related industries that are viable 365 days a year. They don't need more highways to support 20-30 events per year, the highways they have now are empty, and bigger highways would be even more empty except on event days. A combination of public and private investment in tourist related enterprises akin to what NF, Canada has done will do more to improve that city than any stadium.