Published: July 28, 2008 10:22 pm      

CITY COUNCIL: Basketball court plan fouled

Construction contract fails after 2-2 council vote

Plans for a basketball court at the new North Avenue playground have apparently been benched.

A motion to hire contractor Mark Cerrone to construct the court failed to receive approval Monday after City Councilmembers voted 2-2. Three yes votes are needed to pass a resolution. Council Chairman Samuel Fruscione is out of town and did not attend the meeting.

The council had previously voted to allocate $50,000 to include a basketball court at the Child’s Kingdom Nor-Loc Park at North Avenue and Lockport Street. Opened earlier this month, it is the city’s first handicapped-accessible park and includes rides and apparatus mostly geared toward young children.

Putting a basketball court at the park would attract older juveniles and bring unwanted problems, like vulgarity and fighting, said Councilman Robert Anderson Jr., who along with Councilman Steve Fournier voted against the construction contract.

Fournier agreed mixing young children and teenagers in one setting could lead to problems.

“I agree the city needs a basketball court, but I think it should go somewhere else,” he said.

The change of heart from the two councilmen was precipitated by calls and complaints they received from concerned residents.

Councilmembers Chris Robins and Charles Walker voted for the court’s construction.

“My concern is we don’t have enough activities for children ages 12 to 15,” Robins said. “It’s a community park.”

Walker admitted a court may attract problems, but that’s why it was being put in close to the road so police could patrol the area and identify problems.

“If things get out of hand, you dial 911,” Walker said. “We put money in place for a basketball court at that park, and all of a sudden we’re saying we don’t want it there. It’s really a disappointment.”

Walker also pointed out the city school district’s past successes in high school basketball.

“For some of these kids, (basketball) is their only way out,” he said.

Since the $50,000 has already been allocated, the council could vote to place a court in another area. However, Robins predicted similar concerns would arise in the future.

“No matter where you want to put it, nobody wants it next to them,” he said.

In other council action Monday:

• A request to give $500,000 to owners of the old Hotel Niagara was approved 4-0.

The money, being awarded as a city grant using casino cash, will assist in a $15.2 million rehabilitation project being completed by owners James T. Cook and his wife Judith of the Houston-based Amidee Hotels and Resorts, Inc.

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.

Once the project is 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.

Prior to Monday’s council vote, both Mayor Paul Dyster and USA Niagara President Christopher J. Schoepflin spoke in favor of the project and cited the economic impact it would bring.

According to USA Niagara projections, the city would see $3.4 million from the hotel over the first five years in additional bed, sales and property taxes.