subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Jul 04 2009 

Published: July 28, 2008 10:22 pm    print this story  

CITY COUNCIL: Basketball court plan fouled

Construction contract fails after 2-2 council vote

By Rick Forgione
E-mail Rick

Niagara Gazette

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.

print this story  



Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

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

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Featured Jobs

Medical Office Assistant
MED. OFFICE ASST, PT, exp pref but not necessary, Med-Dent know- ledge helpful. Email resume to: mary paones sa@yahoo.c...>MORE

Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable
Must be experienced. Must have excel/keypunch knowledge. Must be a team player. High volume enviro
...>MORE

Secretary
Secretary- F/T, Exp. Clerical, Comp., Acct. Skills. Send resume to St. Peter R.C. School, 140 N. 6th St. Lewiston, NY ...>MORE

Truck Driver
TRUCK DRIVER: Local /OTR 200 mile radius. Must have dump trailer experience. 867-4663...>MORE

Nursing
NEED MONEY?
RN’s, LPN’s,
HHA’s & PCA’s
Needed Immediately
HIGH PAY RATES!!
For Staffing & ...>MORE

Sales support
20 yr old industry leader, is expanding thru-out USA. Sales support position in our N. Falls, NY office. Salary, 8:30-5...>MORE

Lead Carpenter
LEAD Carpenter for Pole barn builder/steel roofing company Exp. req. Call 716-438-7720....>MORE

waitress
Waitress will train. Apply at Christos Restaurant, 2117 Military Rd. Niagara Falls, NY
...>MORE

Technicians
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
Exam Date: 9/12/09
Filing Period:
7/6/09 -7/22/09
EXAM FEE: $20.00
N.F. WA
...>MORE

LPNS
LPNS, Certifid HHA's and Certified PCA/s needed. Several shifts available. Full and part time hours. Must be able to wor...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Ford 1999 150 Truck
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE

Dodge 1996 Grand Caravan
Niagara Falls
2753 NIAGARA ST.
FRI. SAT.
9AM-4PM
oriental rug, old tools, antique car parts, toys,
...>MORE

1990 Chevy 2500
1990 CHEVY 2500 pick up, fresh paint, 160k mi, good runner, 4WD, ext cab, $2500, 716-572-9153...>MORE

Olds 2001 Intrigue
Olds 2001 Intrigue, 130k runs great, leather, sun roof clean inside/out. $3000or BO. 628-6295...>MORE

2000 Chevy S-10
CHEVY 2000 S-10 pick up, 2.2L, 5 spd, ext cab, EC in & out, CD, cold AC, great gas mi. $2750. 523-7102...>MORE

Ford 1993 Taurus
FORD 1993 Taurus, just inspected, runs good $900 or best offer,
284-0244
...>MORE

Pontiac 2004 Grand Prix GT
PONTIAC 2004 Grand Prix GT 4 door, good cond, $8000, 998-5596...>MORE

FORD 1999 150
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE

1994 Pontiac Sunbird
PONTIAC 1994 Sunbird conv. V6, EC in & out, red w/blk top, wht int., CD, real sharp. $2850. 523-7102...>MORE

1997 Ford Taurus GL
FORD 1997 Taurus GL, good condition, cold A/C, cruise, 1 owner, white. $1995 or BO. 990-6187....>MORE

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