Council plans vote on deal to demolish glass walkway

From the Buffalo News: Take a walk down Old Falls Street, and you’ll see plenty of state-built infrastructure designed to spur private development. Largely missing are the type of walk-up storefronts suited for pedestrians and tourists. City officials, after stalled efforts this summer, hope the demolition of a downtown eyesore will help fix that. The…

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Will Niagara Falls become a winter wonderland?

From the Buffalo News: In March, Ellicottville native and Idaho developer Mark Rivers revealed his plans to make downtown Niagara Falls a winter tourism haven, complete with a strip of speciality international and regional vendors. Rivers has been busy securing vendors and marketing the festival, but not without questions from City Council Chairman Sam Fruscione….

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Council amends billboard law to aid tourism promotions

From the Buffalo News: In an effort to expand promotions and increase tourism- related advertising, the City Council amended its billboard ordinance to allow electronic digital billboards downtown. The billboards, which require special permits that must be approved by the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, will hopefully mirror successful electronic billboards in Niagara Falls, Ont.,…

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Improving tourist signs in city becomes priority

From the Buffalo News: The generations- old debate over the best use of street signs to direct tourists to local attractions may be nearing a settlement — but not quite yet. City Council Chairman Sam Fruscione and Mayor Paul A. Dyster said they plan to discuss the issue during a private meeting today, and the…

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New tourism tax in the Falls discussed

From the Niagara Gazette: A new “tourism tax” is in the works in the City of Niagara Falls. City Council Chairman Sam Fruscione and members of the Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board on Monday discussed plans to impose a 50-cent tax on tickets sold by area attractions and tour operators. Supporters say the effort, modeled…

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