subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Published: July 06, 2009 12:39 am    print this story  

NOTEBOOK: Cordish responds on mall

By Mark Scheer
E-mail Mark

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

Developer David Cordish sent me a short response to last week’s notebook.

Mixed reaction is about the best way to describe it.

On the one hand, he said it wasn’t as bad as another local publication’s take on the state of development in Niagara Falls.

On the other hand, he said I missed the mark on the Rainbow Centre mall his company has been leasing from the city since 1981.

The e-mail included a letter from one of Cordish’s associates, a guy named Zed Smith who offered a brief review of the mall’s history and several reasons why the shopping center finds itself in its current condition.

He says two “macro” economic factors fueled the mall’s demise, including the rapid decline in Canadian customers following a drop in the currency exchange rate and the severe economic malaise that gripped the city years ago and really hasn’t really let loose since.

Smith notes that at one point mall tenants were allowed to stay rent free, but none could make it.

In many ways, he suggests the mall agreement was worse for the developer than it was the city.

Despite a poor economy and other factors, Smith notes that the mall operated as a fully functioning retail center under Cordish’s watch for 18 years.

The letter closed on an optimistic note, saying Cordish does not cut and run and wants to work things out in the Falls.

In his letter, Smith asks an intriguing question: “If downtown Niagara Falls is a sure thing, then why aren’t developers lined up to develop?”

It’s the same one people around here have been asking for decades.

I don’t have an answer.

I did see some tangible signs of progress at the new-look West Pedetrian Mall last week.

The state recently completed a $7.9 million redevelopment project in that area. There’s a new cobblestone road stretching from the Prospect Street entrance to Niagara Falls State Park to Rainbow Boulevard. There’s fresh concrete seats, reconditioned lampposts, fresh landscaping and a pair of mist fountains. Across Rainbow Boulevard, the old Wintergarden building continues to come down. Eventually, the area where the atrium once stood will become a pedestrian-friendly connection of its own, making the dowtown area more inviting to visitors who wander out of Niagara Falls State Park, looking for something more to do in Niagara Falls.

It is hoped locally that the public improvements will make properties like Cordish’s Rainbow Mall more attractive to visitors.

Here’s hoping Cordish views it as a welcome sign of progress.

As I said last week, I don’t imagine he enjoys leasing an empty mall anymore than the residents of Niagara Falls like having to explain to newcomers the long and painful history behind how it got that way.

Demler update

The New York State Attorney General’s Office has confirmed receipt of a letter from the Town of Wheatfield Republican Committee which has called for an investigation into Supervisor Timothy Demler.

Lee Park, a spokesperson for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, said his office has received the letter requesting the investigation. Park would not discuss any specific allegations contained in it.

“We have received the letter and we are reveiwing it,” he said before declining further comment.

The Town of Wheatfield GOP Committtee sent a letter requesting an investigation into Demler’s conduct as supervisor following its decision to pull its endorsement of he long-time supervisor. The committee has not released copies of the letter, nor will any members discuss the specific nature of the allegations involved.

Demler insists the committee’s allegations are bogus and are part of a larger effort to smear his reputation and attack his character for political reasons.

The committee pulled its endorsement of Demler for supervisor earlier this year, selecting former Town Justice Robert Cliffe as its preferred candidate.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

Cosmetologist teacher
Cosmetologists NYS lic., will train to teach NYS cosmetology curriculum 836-6240 or fax 836-3571...>MORE

automotive service technician
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

Telemarketers
CASHIERS

Looking for dependable people with good customer service skills for afternoons and overnights at con
...>MORE

Nursing
NURSING. ElderWood Senior Care, "Care Without Compromise". We invite you to stop by and learn how you can become part of...>MORE

Substitute School Nurse
SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL Nurse, Lockport City School District, Up to $20/hr. 478-4820 ...>MORE

Coach
COACH, Men’s Soccer. Niagara County Community College is seeking a head coach for the men’s soccer team. Please see web ...>MORE

Registered Nurse First Assistant
REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT. Per diem position. Current NYS RN license with accredited RNFA course required. Must p...>MORE

FLOOR ASSISTANT
Floor asst. needed for approx. 30-35 hrs/wk in a podiatry office, no exp. nec., will train, call between 12-2:30 pm for ...>MORE


MEDICAL SECRETARY: FT for Lkpt primary care office. Exp. preferred. Call/msg 807-1618...>MORE

service greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Buick 2005 Lesabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE

Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199
...>MORE

Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE

Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala
25,600 miles, loaded
Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo
297-2199
...>MORE

Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE

Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer
531-3548, 297-1526
...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index