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Published: August 18, 2008 08:46 pm    print this story  

NIAGARA FALLS: Residents make their case for Wintergarden

Public hearing marked by calls to save landmark structure from wrecking ball

By Rick Pfeiffer
E-mail Rick
Niagara Gazette

Geri Mitro’s voice was choked with emotion as she asked a hearing officer Monday to block USA Niagara Development Corp. from demolishing the Wintergarden.

The state agency charged with spurring development in downtown Niagara Falls wants to buy, for $1.6 million, the abandoned arboretum from businessman Joseph Anderson and tear it down. The agency is also looking to take over Anderson’s lease for concession rights on the Old Falls Street East Mall.

“Niagara Falls has a pattern of leaders doing what they think is right in their eyes over the years,” Mitro said. “But it has led to the destruction of our cultural assets.”

While USA Niagara proposes razing the Wintergarden as a means to connect the East and West malls and create a new opening to the Falls State Park, Mitro and a dozen other concerned citizens who filled a tiny City Hall hearing room, questioned the wisdom of that plan.

“We’re told tourism enthusiasts back this plan. We’ll I am enthusiastic about tourism, but my voice hasn’t been heard,” Mitro said. “It seems this will just be an open pathway to the casino.”

Many of those who spoke before a hearing officer, who will pass their comments on to the USA Niagara Board of Directors, urged the agency to solicit more public opinion before moving ahead with its plan.

“Before you wipe off the face of the earth this very unique structure, that is barely 30 years old, this calls for a new mindset open to input from the people,” Mitro said.

M. Jacquie Lodico said razing a “place on tranquility” would be a mistake. Lodico said she has traveled to the world and has marveled at Wintergarden like structure in Germany recently.

“Outside of the casino, our (Niagara Falls’) architecture is a hodge-podge,” Lodico said. “The Wintergarden didn’t fail, downtown failed.”

The 107-foot high glass and metal structure was contracted in 1977 as part of the Falls urban renewal project. Designed by famed architect Cesar Pelli, it won numerous awards and graced the covers of multiple magazines.

However, USA Niagara Project Manager John Risio said the Wintergarden appears to be beyond saving. The building was so severely damaged by the interior demolition performed when Anderson converted the structure into his failed Family Fun Center, Risio said it does not qualify for inclusion on either a state or federal registries of historically significant structures.

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