Published: July 23, 2008 08:19 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Grand plans for Hotel Niagara

The new owners of the old Hotel Niagara have lofty expectations of what the building will be by this time next year.

“We’re going to do everything we can to create a four-star hotel,” said project architect David Giusiana. “The intention here is to be the finest hotel in Niagara Falls.”

Built in 1924, the historic 12-story, masonry structure on Rainbow Boulevard had been a social and civic hub of Niagara Falls for several decades before undergoing numerous ownership changes and falling into disrepair. James T. Cook and his wife Judith of the Houston-based Amidee Hotels and Resorts, Inc., purchased the building through an auction last July for $4.6 million and plan to spend another $15.2 million to transform the hotel back to its glory days.

Interior work started this past week, Giusiana said, and a soft opening is anticipated by next April. Once completed, the hotel will feature all of the original 193 rooms refurbished, along with a 4,500-square-foot grand ballroom, boutique retail, spa and fitness center, multiple restaurants and a rooftop club overlooking the Falls.

To assist in the renovation, a $3.5 million incentive package is being provided by USA Niagara, a subsidiary of Empire State Development Corp. In addition, the Niagara Falls City Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to provide the owners with a $500,000 grant.

The $500,000, which would be taken from casino money set aside by the city to award business grants, is the same amount being proposed for a renovation project at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel just down the road from Hotel Niagara. Councilmembers tabled that request last month.

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said the $500,000 allocation for Hotel Niagara is a wise use of casino money as it will spur economic development and create upwards of 100 construction jobs and 130 full-time jobs and 190 seasonal part-time jobs once the hotel opens.

“The long-term benefit to the city is tremendous,” he said.

The Amidee project team, including Giusiana Architects & Engineer of Lewiston and KTA Preservation Specialists, will also seek state and national historic preservation status for the building, which will make it eligible for other grant money and tax credits. Hotel Niagara is one of the few remaining structures that pre-date urban renewal-related demolition activities in downtown Niagara Falls.

Giusiana gave an overview of the project Wednesday to the city’s Planning Board. Another presentation, which will include details on how the renovation will increase the tax base, will be made at Monday’s council meeting prior to the vote.

City Planner Thomas DeSantis said the city and Amidee have been working together for the past year in bringing the project to fruition.

“The more quality rooms we can add downtown the better off we will all be,” DeSantis said. “The owners are very excited to be here and very excited to get this project under way.”

Contact reporter Rick Forgione