NFTA updates county on air cargo facility

by Dan Hager
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 25, 2006

In an effort to update the Niagara County Legislature and area residents in attendance, members of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority offered a presentation at Tuesday evening’s county Legislature session in Lockport to discuss the progress of the air cargo facilities eyed for the Niagara Falls International Airport.

NFTA Aviation Director Bill Vanecek began by explaining that the purpose of the new air cargo facility is to attract international cargo into Western New York, as opposed to Canada. As of now, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport has the biggest air cargo facility in the world at 400,000 square feet, and is set to expand another 50,000 square feet.

Vanecek went on to explain the financial difficulties of the contract and the project in general, but also pointed out that the deal was well on its way. In a nutshell, it provides for a 20-year contract with air cargo, which includes a five-year renewal option.

The construction of the planned cargo facility must begin by the end of the agreement’s second year and would likely require an expansion or new building after five years. At first, the new project will hire four full-time employees and seven temporary employees, but should add more as the years go on.

A targeted goal of the project is to bring in one 747 aircraft into the region each day, most likely traveling from either India or China.

Air Cargo is a partnership between Canadian-based Vista Cargo International and Atlas International Freight Forwarding and Buffalo-based Speed Transportation.

Other Projects

The NFTA representatives also discussed two other projects that are directly connected to improving the region’s public transportation as well as tourism.

First, the representatives discussed the need for a new terminal at the Falls airport to attract more tourism as well as help reach the requirements of the air cargo contract. The new terminal is a $23 million project, with funding expected to come in a variety of ways.

The NFTA told legislators they furnished the first million in order to complete the design of the new terminal facility, which will include two new gates, jet bridges and what’s envisioned to be “a tremendous gateway” to Niagara Falls and the surrounding region.

Funding is also expected to come from casino proceeds ($9 million), which should be in place as soon as a commitment is reached. The NFTA also requested a $1 million funding commitment from the City of Niagara Falls, leaving roughly $9.6 million in needed funds. There is a chance the NFTA could get some of that money from the county, but they hope to gain support from the county legislators to convince the state for funding the rest of the project.

New Bus Facility

The final topic brought up by the NFTA representatives was the completion of a new bus transportation center to help both public transportation needs in Niagara Falls as well as in the transport of tourists to and from some of the area’s most prolific landmarks.

Legislators heard that the money for the new transportation center is not the issue, but rather the location. The NFTA had been eyeing an area between Niagara Falls Boulevard and Military Road, namely the site of the recently closed John’s Flaming Hearth restaurant on Military Road, but soon learned that most community members disagreed with the location.

When asked why the new transportation center wasn’t being constructed in downtown Niagara Falls, NFTA quickly responded, telling legislators of their plan for a new facility plus four smaller stations also under consideration in the Falls area.

They explained the purpose of one main bus center and four smaller centers is that it would fit the needs of both community residents who need to use the system for everyday activities, as well as tourists looking to commute throughout the region.

“The old system was too institutional,” said Vanecek. “The new system with make it more efficient for people going to and from work for example. They won’t have to wait as long for transportation and the overall process will cut down on gas throughout the region.”

A color-coated exhibit detailing the proposed bus transit system was also provided. In that system, for example, green buses will travel to shopping centers while the red buses will take tourists to destination sites of interest such as Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara.

As for the three projects put forth by the NFTA, each has its setbacks, legislators heard. The bus transportation center and air cargo facility at the Falls airport have the needed funds, but both lack a location, while the new Falls airport terminal’s location and design are completed, but the facility doesn’t have the needed funds.