Published: March 09, 2008 10:47 pm      

GOVERNMENT: $7.6M capital project awaits approval

It’s not everything, but it’s a start.

That’s how Niagara Falls officials are describing a $7.6 million list of capital projects that awaits approval at tonight’s City Council meeting.

“It’s a balanced plan,” Mayor Paul Dyster said. “The object was to try and identify the most pressing needs.”

City officials began compiling a wish list of equipment purchases and improvements from department heads this past fall. While the completed draft contains several years worth of work, the council is expected to approve more than 60 items to address this year, ranging from more snow removal equipment to improvements for the ice rink in Hyde Park to completing road reconstruction on 77th Street.

Most of the $7.6 million needed will come from bonding and a capital project that will be paid down using the city’s portion of casino revenues. About $150,000 of the money is coming from interest the city has already accrued from casino cash.

Dyster credited all five City Council members and Controller Maria Brown for prioritizing the list and creating a “balanced plan” for the first year.

The city’s Department of Public Works will benefit the most from the capital project with more than $2 million in improvements, including buying nine new pieces of snow removal equipment, a $142,000 lift truck for forestry and a new $105,000 street sweeper.

Hyde Park will see a handful of capital projects, including resurfacing of the tennis courts ($150,000) and multiple improvements at the ice rink for $300,000. The golf course will receive $84,866 for the installation of a new sprinkler system.

“We took the needs and wants from every department and asked ourselves how do we better maintain streets and how do we improve the quality of life for residents,” Councilman Chris Robins said. “We know there’s going to be things we need to purchase next year, but this is a very good start for this year.”

Public safety needs also take up a large chunk of the $7.6 million. The police department is slated to receive $420,000 to purchase 12 marked cars and 8 unmarked cars, and another $65,000 for a prisoner transport vehicle. Police Superintendent John Chella said there’s also money to purchase an effective new fire arms training simulator at $75,000.

Close to $1 million is for the fire department to purchase an aerial ladder truck and a pumper.

The largest single project on the list is the expenditure of $1.2 million to complete reconstruction of 77th Street, which like a lot of city streets is riddled with potholes. Robins said the city has already started reconstruction efforts at the site and spending the $1.2 million to finish the job was an obvious choice.

“It’s rated as the worst street in the city,” he said.

The public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. today in council chambers at City Hall, 745 Main St. A worksession will precede the meeting at 4 p.m.

Contact reporter Rick Forgioneat 282-2311, ext. 2257.