Community Development
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Community Projects
At Niagara Falls Community Development, we are dedicated to completing projects and running programs that benefit all residents of our city. Below are some of our completed and upcoming projects. For more information about these projects, please contact Cliff Scott, Director of Community Development.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Gluck Park Improvements (June 2018)
The Niagara Falls Community Development created a new playground, basketball court and seating area at Gluck Park. The playground was assembled as part of a weekend community build event and the project was funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program and the improvements followed the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
Jerauld Park Improvements (June 2018)
The Niagara Falls Community Development created a new playground, seating area, public exercise station and ADA access at Jerauld Park, as a direct result on neighborhood input. This project was included in the 2015 Action Plan, funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program and the improvements followed the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
Hyde Park Youth Baseball Diamonds Upgrade (July 2018)
The Niagara Falls Community Development Department improved the existing baseball diamonds at Hyde Park , in order to accommodate a wider range of play. This project was included in the 2015 Action Plan, funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program and the playground design follows the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
Niagara City Lofts (October 2017)
CB Emanuel’s Niagara City Lofts project broke ground in April 2016, and is adaptively reusing the long vacant South Junior High School into 61 loft style apartments and 18,000 feet of commercial space on its ground floor, with assistance from Empire State Development and the New York State Department of Homes and Community Renewal. Niagara Falls voters approved the school district’s sale of the building by a five to one margin in 2013. In 2014, the Niagara Falls Community Development Department presented the City Council with a property tax agreement that produced revenue for the first time at that site and prevented a costly, government-sponsored demolition.
70th Street Park Improvements (August 2017)
Niagara Falls Community Development completed park improvements at 70th Street Park in August 2017. Improvements include a new playground, basketball court and seating as a direct result of neighborhood meetings hosted in 2014 and 2016. This project was included in the 2015 Action Plan, funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program and the playground design follows the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
The Walnut Avenue Homes (May 2017)
Housing Visions’ Walnut Avenue Homes project broke ground in December 2014, and has transformed vacant, government owned properties into quality in-fill housing. Not only are these properties back on the tax roll, they will actually become an asset to the neighborhood for the first time in a generation. The $12.2 million, 41-unit project is designed to meet LEED for HOMES and NYSERDA Energy Star certifications. The 8 building project features seven new construction buildings and the historic rehabilitation of a long vacant school administration building. Unit configurations include 12 one-bedroom units, 18 two-bedroom units, and 11 three-bedroom units, as well as resident amenities including a resident community center, computer lab, off-street parking, washer and dryer hook-ups and green space. This project was included in the 2014 Community Development Action Plan and was partially funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program.
Hyde Park Playground (October 2016)
The Hyde Playground was completed in October 2016 and is located in Hyde Park, next to the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion. (911 Robbins Drive) The modern playground, featuring five separate “play pods” and safety surfacing, replaced an outdated playground that was not easily reachable. The new Hyde Park Playground was designed in partnership with the Niagara Falls Youth Bureau Board, following the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). This project was included in the 2015 Community Development Action Plan and funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program.
NF Skate Park (October 2016)
The NF Skate Park was completed in October 2016 and is located in Hyde Park. (898 Hyde Park Boulevard) This completely concrete skate park, welcoming skate boarders, in-line skaters and BMX riders, was designed by Spohn Ranch Skate Parks, features street skating features specifically selected by local residents. The NF Skate Park is the result of successful community outreach and years of public advocacy for a skate park in Niagara Falls, planned in partnership with the Niagara Falls Youth Bureau Board, following the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). This project was included in the 2015 Community Development Action Plan and funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program and the Tony Hawk Foundation.
The Niagara Falls Art Alley (October 2016)
The Niagara Falls Art Alley, located at 425 Third Street, was completed in October 2016. The pedestrian walkway is lined with 19 local murals sponsored by local businesses and organizations. The well lit pedestrian walkway links the growing Third Street Commercial District to the surrounding residential neighborhood.
D’Amelio/Centre Court Park Improvements (2015)
The Centre Court pool fence was replaced and the park’s basketball court was resurfaced in 2015, as part of the 2014 Community Development Action Plan and funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program. In 2017, the City of Niagara Falls will install a new playground at Centre Court Park.
Gill Creek Park Improvements (Ongoing since 2014)
The City of Niagara Falls has completed several park improvements at Gill Creek Park in partnership with the Niagara Street Business Association and the Niagara Falls City School District, including projects funded by the Community Development Department. Recently, the 2014 the United States Department of Housing Urban Development Action Plan funded a new playground and park signage at Gill Creek, designed following the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
Annual Home Ownership Auction (Ongoing since 2013)
The Niagara Falls Community Development Department began the Home Ownership Auction Program in 2013. Each year, our department conducts an auction of tax-foreclosed properties, with the following requirements for successful bidders:
- Must live in the house for no less than five years
- Must renovate the house in a specified period of time
- Must pay due taxes at the time of purchase
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Highland Fire House Trades Training Center
With assistance from the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, the City of Niagara Falls is renovating the long vacant 3721 Highland Avenue Fire House. The firehouse will become a trades employment center, accommodating Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative and Isaiah 61 Project programming.
