Buffalo News: Federal Funds Anticipated for Several Projects

By Thomas J. Prohaska and George Zornick

Money to restore the original Erie Canal locks to working condition and extend Meadow Drive in North Tonawanda is included in a federal transportation bill that passed a House of Representatives committee this week.

The bill also includes money to pay for a hiking and biking pathway along the rim of the Niagara River Gorge from Niagara Falls to Lewiston, and another helping of cash for the planned new passenger train station in Niagara Falls.

The money still has a long way to go before it reaches its destination. The bill needs to pass a floor vote in the House, likely next week, before working its way through the Senate and a probable conference committee between the two chambers. Only then will it reach President Bush’s desk.

But if the funding survives, Lockport will receive $3.25 million for the Flight of Five restoration. Making the 19th-century canal locks work again is a goal of Mayor Michael W. Tucker, who sees the potential for a major tourist attraction.

“We’re very excited about it. Obviously (Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence) understands the importance of getting this done,” Tucker said Friday. “That could be enough for the whole project. We won’t know what it will cost until we get down in there.”

Last month, Tucker estimated the cost of restoring the original locks at $3 million to $5 million. “We also expect an announcement on funding from (State Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane),” the mayor added.

North Tonawanda Mayor David J. Burgio said the $2 million that Reynolds inserted into the bill “is more than enough” to extend Meadow Drive to Erie Avenue.

Meadow reaches a dead-end just east of Nash Road. The project aims to install 4,500 feet of new road. The city’s main business district is considered to be the Mid-City Plaza on Payne Avenue near Meadow Drive.

Common Council President Brett M. Sommer said the project will provide easier access to the plaza and alleviate traffic on surrounding residential streets.

“We open up economic development opportunities. You’re opening up prime real estate for commercial development,” he said. “It becomes a quality-of-life issue, where you’re funneling traffic down the right streets instead of cutting through purely residential sections.”

Sommer said the city would approach homeowners on Meadow Drive for additional money through special assessments.

“If it is improving the quality of privately owned land, you should share the cost,” Sommer said.

Sommer estimated that if the funds are approved, work on the project could begin as soon as September.

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, inserted $2.3 million into the bill for the gorge pathway.

Her spokesman, Karl Frisch, said this project is separate from the Niagara River Greenway that Gov. George E. Pataki is proposing to finance through New York Power Authority money as part of the terms of its new license to operate the Niagara Power Project.

Slaughter also lined up $5.6 million to continue work leading toward the new Amtrak station in Niagara Falls near the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge.

A 140-year-old customs house is to be restored as a border-crossing point, railroad tracks will have to be relocated and two railroad overpasses on Main Street repaired. Frisch said the total price tag of the project is $21 million.

March 5, 2005 | Filed Under News Mentions, Slaughter 

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