Niagara Heritage Partnership has fought for over 12 years to restore the Niagara River gorge to its pristine state in the interest of creating a world class eco-tourist attraction. Local business interests in Lewiston have systematically and probably illegally obstructed progress toward the restoration of the gorge without any real concern for the greater good of the region and Niagara County. The following is an update by advocates for gorge restoration and the necessary removal of the Robert Moses Parkway of the obstacles thrown in their way by the myopic provincialism of the Lewiston business crowd:
ACCORDING TO PARKWAY REMOVAL ADVOCATE Michelle Vanstrom, a Niagara Falls businesswoman from Youngstown and member of the NF Tourism Advisory Board:
"I continue to find it interesting and appalling that decisions by elected and appointed leaders regarding the Robert Moses gorge parkway are continually made without EVER asking the removal advocates to make a presentation.
Why is that? I am perplexed, bemused.
How can anyone, especially when seated in a leadership/advisory position, expect to make an intelligent, well-thought out, informed decision without exerting any effort or desire to review or listen to all sides of an issue? To me, that's an imperative and crucial leadership role.
My statements made to the professor[Mr. Angus] and Mr. Ceretto were facts, not accusations. I don't recall seeing many of you at either Lewiston trolley meeting. Perhaps if had you attended, it might have become clear to you, also, that the trolley was all about Lewiston and only Lewiston and running it on the parkway. You would have heard this stated clearly by the owner of the Barton Hotel. Her statements (and my questions to Mr. Sloma and Mr. Ceretto) are documented, filmed by the local cable channel.
To date, Mr. Angus and Mr. Ceretto still refuse to provide a copy of so-called trolley "study" to the public.
This is an opinion I have as a parent who paid for several college educations: Since this was a graded project for the NU students, Mr. Angus, as a college professor, had an opportunity and a professional obligation to insist on accepted academic form. He did not encourage the NU students to conduct an genuine academic argument, a presentation of all sides. In the eyes of Mayor Soluri, at the second Lewiston trolley forum, that is an "unbiased" approach. Again, a statement on film.
Regarding the "spirited meeting":
Mr. Gromosiak's justified anger came from two situations. One he mentioned several times as he spoke, the on-going, snide remarks Mr. Nicols made in undertones not caught on camera to a woman seated next to him. Two, the disparaging remarks made by the Niagara University professor about Niagara Falls and Main Street, the roads in particular.
From what I witnessed, Mr. Gromosiak as he spoke to the EMC clearly stated he felt threatened and harassed by Mr. Nicols. As a follow up to the remarks made about the City, Mr. Gromosiak subsequently contacted the individual NF City Council members. No one from NU met or contacted the City Council about the trolley.
Why? Mr. Sloma and Mr. Ceretto mentioned regionalism multiple times during the first trolley meeting.
As a County advisory council, you might find this interesting: as we left, several people listening from outside the library meeting room, opened a closed door, and made a point to stop us and thank us for speaking up.
For your perusal, I'm enclosing a benefits to removal summary of the Robert Moses Gorge Parkway. It's a copy of an email sent to about 30 key leaders at local, regional, and state levels. It might have crossed your desk already.
I've also attached a copy of the resolution(s) signed by objective people who took the time to not only envision the concept of total gorge parkway removal, but took the time to become well-informed. I think you'll see the very clear reasons why they signed it. Perhaps, that's what terrifies the parkway preservationists.
Please read the attached resolution. We will provide and/or present the supplemental information to anyone who would like to hear the rest of the story, the counter response to those who say it (the removal of the Robert Moses GORGE Parkway) can't or shouldn't be done.
One of the reasons we advocate so hard for total gorge Robert Moses Parkway removal is to reclaim and protect our viewsheds (a key Smart Growth initiative), the old growth at DeVeaux and in the gorge walls, and to stimulate the economy in every Niagara Falls business district as well as the entire region (a key Economic/Business Survival initiative).
We have provided all the supporting documentation-- studies on road removal from unbiased, unsolicited experts proving the NHP proposal is not only the right thing to do, it's astounding--economically viable and feasible. The NHP report includes employment numbers (hundreds to thousands) and economic and quality of life benefits and tourism dollars (in the billions) all provided by the very successful, dozens of cities around the world that implemented the exact type of project NHP has advocated for over the last 12 years. We have an informal marketing study (www.niagaraheritage.org) where locals and potential tourists (millions) tell us clearly what they want to experience when they come to Niagara Falls.
The NHP proposal is visionary. It promotes Deep Change rather than incremental change which inevitably leads to decay. (Author, Robert E. Quinn, a Leadership Buffalo suggested reading book.) To quote Mayor Dyster, "We could have been pioneers. Instead, we follow."
Somebody benefits if the city of Niagara falls. The question, posed to the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, is who and why?
Please read the attached resolution. This was signed by the Main Street Business and Professional Association, Niagara Falls City Council, the Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board.
We have personally handed the complete Niagara Heritage Partnership proposal and report to:
the Buffalo News,
the Niagara Gazette,
NYS Parks Commissioner Carol Ash,
Governor Patterson,
Mayor Paul Dyster,
Senator Antoine Thompson,
the Niagara Falls City Council,
the Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board,
to the entire Niagara Co. Legislature - which includes representation from the Niagara County IDA,
the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper,
the Buffalo Niagara Partnership,
and to anyone else we could think of that is in a position to and might actually help, presenting and providing them with the complete NHP package.
Senator Gillibrand (D) was also personally handed the NHP proposal with all its supporting documentation when she was in town attending a luncheon hosted by the County Democratic Committee. (This was after the convention center meeting with local governments, including Mayor Soluri (R). Senator Gillibrand stated she'd contact me by phone the next day. She didn't.
Now what's sad: everyone, especially after reading the NHP documents and seeing the proposal presented in actual economic dollars and numbers, knows the NHP proposal is the right thing to do for the greater good, for the most people, with minimum impact on neighborhoods. It shows everybody profits.
Here's the wrinkle:
What's being proposed by Niagara Falls master plan, removal of RMP up to Findlay Dr., is to, yes, remove the RMP, BUT join it to Whirlpool Street AT Findlay Dr. In other words, remove one road and replace it with another. This does absolutely nothing to support the city business districts, yet it's in the city's current, proposed comprehensive plan, as yet not passed. In picturing that scenario, it appears that another slice of DeVeaux Woods will be sacrificed.
The NH proposal for RMP gorge removal would REJOIN the DeVeaux Old Growth with the Old Growth remaining at Whirlpool State Parks. (Standing in parking lot, facing Whirlpool and the gorge - see the few remaining trees on your right.)
NHP, and supporters of their proposal, advocate total RMP removal to the north city line. That's a compromise, something Lewiston et all claim the NHP doesn't or won't do.
Well, as stated to Mr. Cerreto and the Niagara Co. EMC. NHP and advocates did compromise. We want the RMP gorge section totally removed to Lewiston and replaced with a natural landscape for ecotourism, but have, in the interest of compromise, backed up to the North City Line.
Now, we want Mr.Ceretto and the northtowns to compromise and send the proposed trolley down Main St, into Niagara Falls, via Hyde Park Blvd and Highland Ave to North St. to Main Street. This route, if coming from Lewiston, starts at the intersection light by Niagara University. It bypasses the entire DeVeaux residential neighborhood. This alternate route was presented to the DOT two years ago. It's also pothole free.
In case you're wondering why this isn't being considered? Well, drive it. Come to your own conclusions.
This is why NREC was asked to stop Lewiston's incomplete proposal presented to the Niagara River Greenway. It's another attempt to circumvent the removal of the RMP.
We have provided this information to county Legislator John Ceretto, and to the Niagara University students who are attempting to undermine all efforts for RMP removal by promoting the trolley on the gorge parkway, which is illegal. (According to DOT laws, the only traffic allowed on the RMP are cars. No school or tour buses, no trucks, no bikes, no horses, no commercial traffic. Why aren't the state, and local police issuing tickets? I saw a semi on it the other day and tour and school buses.)
NU professor Angus has refused to share the trolley study with the public, despite the fact they presented it in two public forums. I asked for a copy, even offered to pay for copying it. He refused, claiming it belonged to the County. I had a county legislator make the request and was refused. I asked again, at the NCEMC meeting, and was told it belonged to the County as "they" hired him. I stated the county was in attendance (Mr. Ceretto and Mr. Jason Murgia.) Would he please give it to Mr. Murgia?
So, we now know: it belongs to Mr. Ceretto. NU still refuses to provide the public forum information, and Professor Angus and Mr. Ceretto refused to say they wouldn't send the trolley down the parkway. [Note in 5/14/09 Gazette, the NFTA omitted sending the FREE-but-supported-by-NF-bed-tax trolley down Main Street, Niagara Falls.]
We want to make it clear that NHP and their advocates support the trolley. We do not support the proposed Robert Moses Gorge Parkway route. The trolley could be and should be beneficial for the entire region,e very business district. We are on record, in both public forums, in newsprint, and television media as stating this. I attended both trolley presentations. NHP was presented in the NU power point as an obstruction to the trolley. A blatant fabrication and lie.
I also attended a meeting - Re-imagining Youngstown - and listened to key tourism people state that "Youngstown needs traffic on Main St." The NU students suggested the closing of the RMP and redirecting traffic down Youngstown's Main St. Ironic, no? Same meeting: How key people intend to support regionalism: "they were going to go to Niagara Falls and just take the tourists." and at a different meeting, last Saturday, I heard another, different key leader state: "Niagara Falls is no longer. It's gone." A recent letter writer to the Gazette, yet another leader, stated removing the RMP is "repugnant."
Webster defines "repugnant" as inconsistent, incompatible, and contradictory. Key people have made major decisions and statements about removing the RMP without ever looking at or considering the NHP proposal and their subsequent report. Please read the attached resolution. Some one, please, explain how the NHP proposal is "repugnant."
In light of these facts, whose guidance would you suggest?
In summary.
We, NHP and the NHP advocates, have systematically researched every opposition argument and successfully documented that four-lane removal of the Robert Moses Gorge Parkway from Niagara Falls to Lewiston,NY and the subsequent reclamation and restoration of natural landscapes not only includes the tri-nation area, (Seneca Nation, US, Canada) it embraces cultural celebrations (Underground Railroad and the Native Americans), it has value, a net worth in hundreds of thousands of jobs, and it can and will stimulate our economies, generating profit margins in the billions for Niagara Falls, for the county, for the western NY region.
We did our homework. We met with people and organizations. We listened and responded. We provided a well researched, articulate, economic and factual report.
Now, in the interest of fairness and for the regional greater good, the State needs to do the same and they need to include all the Stakeholders.
We ask for and trust we will receive the same complete, thoughtful and objective response backed with facts irrefutable figures."
.............
THE FOLLOWING IS THE ADVISORY BOARD'S RESOLUTION FOR PARKWAY REMOVAL:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS: The lower Niagara River and the Niagara gorge is a natural wonder of international botanical, cultural, ecological, geological, and historical significance and remains a unique corridor of wilderness within our urban region; and
WHEREAS: The Robert Moses Gorge Parkway bypasses the entire Main Street Business District, Pine Avenue Business District, Niagara Street Business District, Third Street Business District, the Niagara Falls Downtown Business District, and the City’s core; and
WHEREAS: The Niagara Falls’ City Master Plan calls for miles of parkway removal and the Niagara Falls’ December, 2008 “A View of the Falls Final Report,” (page 51), USA Niagara has proposed the 6.5 mile section of the Robert Moses Parkway along the lower river gorge from Niagara Falls to Lewiston be removed with traffic channeled through the city’s center; and
WHEREAS: Eco-tourism is one of the fastest growing major trends in the U.S. and over 55 million U.S. travelers can be classified as eco-tourists who can be drawn to the area to create new economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS: Green Infrastructure Planning College Curriculum (page 10) notes there are economic reasons to protect “viewsheds” since they are important to attracting what are known as Heritage Tourists who come to see historic or culturally important sites spending, on average, two-and-a half times as much money than do other tourists; and
WHEREAS: The 32 member, Smart Growth Network’s (page 43-44) economic analysis concluded owners of small companies ranked recreation, parks, and open space as the highest priorities in choosing new locations for their businesses; and
WHEREAS: Niagara Falls and the Niagara River Region has been designated a National Heritage Area and removal of the Robert Moses Gorge Parkway is consistent with its goals; and
WHEREAS: Removal of the Robert Moses Gorge Parkway is consistent with the Niagara River Greenway Plan for the Region and New York State; and
WHEREAS: the New York Natural Heritage Program concludes the Niagara Gorge calcareous cliff community harboring some of the oldest trees (500-1,000 years old) in the state are threatened by adjacent upslope development (e.g. residential, agricultural, utility right-of-ways and roads) and its associated runoff and other habitat alteration (NYNHP Conservation Guide – Calcareous Cliff Community -page 2); and
WHEREAS: When land adjacent to a historic site is developed, it can mar or even destroy the integrity of the historic site and when these scenic vistas are lost, visitors may stop coming and residents will lose aspects of the landscape that they most value; and
WHEREAS: The people of our region as well as the people around the world should have an opportunity to experience this wonder in its natural and restored state, unmarked by destructive and unsightly development; and
WHEREAS: The Niagara Heritage Partnership’s online petition (www.niagaraheritage.org) and list of supporting organizations represents an informal marketing study of over 1 million people who support total gorge parkway removal; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board strongly endorses the Main Street Business and Professional Association resolution for four lane removal of the Robert Moses Gorge Parkway from Niagara Falls, north, to the city line and the subsequent restoration of this land as a heritage natural area, as described herein with the supporting documents attached; and therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board strongly endorses demapping the Robert Moses Gorge Parkway, remapping it as parkland, as the road is neither environmentally sound nor economically feasible, and notes that such closure is financially sound, more cost effective, a more sensible tourism strategy, and a timely economic stimulus for city tourism.
Representing: The Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board
745 Main Street, PO Box 69
Niagara Falls, NY 14302
716-286-4303
No comments:
Post a Comment