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Ceretto: Redesign of Robert Moses Parkway needs to get moving

by jmaloni

Press release

Fri, May 10th 2013 07:00 am

Assemblyman John Ceretto is calling on the state to get moving on the redesign of the Robert Moses Parkway. Ceretto said every day that passes without breaking ground on the project is another day that Niagara Falls does not get to reap the economic benefits of a redeveloped waterfront.

To date, several plans have been discussed, but no agreement has been made. Ceretto wants to see officials come to an agreement and start the redesign.

"We have spent a lot of time discussing how we are going to redesign the Robert Moses Parkway and how we are going to pay for it. I fear that we are suffering from 'analysis paralysis' that is stopping any meaningful action from happening," he said. "It is time to come to a final agreement on a redevelopment plan and complete the project. The sooner this happens, the sooner we can open the waterfront to commercial development."

Ceretto argues that redesigning the Robert Moses Parkway to move it away from the waterfront is key to the economic future of Niagara Falls. The parkway, he said, is currently blocking an area that has the potential to be a major economic driver if properly tapped. Commercial development would attract new businesses, tourism and increase revenues for the financially stressed city. However, none of this can happen until the redesign of the Robert Moses Parkway is started.

Ceretto has previously written a letter to Gov. Cuomo asking that $50 million from the "Open for Business" fund and $20 million from this year's NYPA sweep should be devoted to the project. Other possible sources of funding include the Buffalo Billion and Greenway money.

"As a financially stressed city, Niagara Falls needs the economic boost that a commercially developed waterfront would provide," Ceretto said. "The residents of Niagara Falls need the jobs that a commercially developed waterfront would provide. We have had more than enough discussion. For the benefit of all the residents of Niagara Falls, we must finalize a plan and get moving on the redesign."

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