Printed from the Review
Whatever happened to Aaron Lichtman?
COREY LAROCQUE
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 – 02:00
Local News – City officials need to know “sooner rather than later” what to do about the Historic Niagara downtown revitalization project, says Coun. Vince Kerrio.
“I want to get on top of it. I want to know where we are with Mr. Lichtman, at this point,” said Kerrio.
Aaron Lichtman, the New York businessman who began promoting the Historic Niagara project more than a year ago, has kept a low profile since the municipal election in November. He could not be reached this week to talk about Historic Niagara’s progress and has not returned phone calls from The Review since December.
A question-and-answer session Lichtman held at the public library in late November was the last time Kerrio said he had heard from him.
Lichtman said he represents investors willing to put $170 million into downtown Niagara Falls to create a retail shopping district. The plan would require an estimated $36 million in public money to be spent sprucing up public spaces around Queen Street.
It was a big issue during the campaign leading up to November’s municipal elections.
But the election signalled a shift in city council’s support for Historic Niagara. Three councillors who had backed the idea were replaced with three who publicly stated they weren’t keen on increasing the city’s debt.
“We shouldn’t let it go on the back burner because of a council change,” Kerrio said.
One reason for Lichtman’s low profile could be changes within Historic Niagara, Coun. Jim Diodati speculated.
“I’ve heard through the grapevine, there might be some changes to the group. They’re still aggressively following their plan of following our (Community Improvement Plan),” Diodati said. “They’re just going to tweak things.”
Lichtman has said Historic Niagara has purchased about 60 downtown properties worth about $20 million.
“They’ve got a huge, vested interest in Niagara Falls. Their objective is to make that work for them,” Diodati said.
Regardless of Historic Niagara’s status, councillors want to see something happen downtown. If not Lichtman’s project, then something else, Kerrio said.
But Diodati, one of Historic Niagara’s supporters who was re-elected, said there aren’t a lot of other revitalization plans in the works.
“You’ve got a bird in the hand. You don’t throw that away,” Diodati said.
The sooner city officials get their hands on a report about the viability of the project, the sooner council can decide what to do, both Kerrio and Diodati said.
They’re eager to see the results of the independent business plan and market study city hall commissioned last year. The city hired a consultant to prepare a market study and business plan to evaluate how successful a retail district would be and to look at what benefits would result from spending public money to help make it happen.
The city commissioned its own studies after Lichtman said he would not share results of his studies with city officials.
Some councillors were upset Lichtman wouldn’t provide his research to them, but Diodati said an independent study is better. Lichtman’s research would look at things from his point of view, not from taxpayers’, Diodati said.
During last fall’s election campaign, Mayor Ted Salci said the reports would be completed early in 2007. But last week, the city’s chief administrative officer said progress on the study has been “slower than expected.”
“We expect that it will be finished and to council by the end of March,” John MacDonald said.
clarocque@nfreview.com
ID- 423493
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Is it any wonder that things have gone silent? Mr. Lichtman goes full force with such an incredible plan and ideal for a city who’s known for their ‘biggest ball of twine’ which is sad because the city is incredible. The falls amazing…the historic Niagara area was once so thriving. Mr. Lichtman promises to bring in not only business, but a wonderful cultural district that will benefit the locals as well as tourists. Council changed and now that idea has had to chill it seems. i do not think Mr. Lichtman has pulled his interest back at all. More like having to rethink how it can be done. With a council like we have now….is it any wonder? Not willing to even put forth an effort to give Historic Niagara a bit of help. They ask that we widen the streets and build a parking garage. Wow…seems like a small price to pay to gain such an awesome area that will thrive and bring in so much to a city that is wasting down to what seems like a circus side show. Flashing lights…ohhh yeah they are pretty to look at. What is it bringing to us though?
i for one..will be very disappointed if council allows this wonderful man and his group to slip through their fingers. Shame on you all….
Comment by a d'alessio — February 28, 2007 @ 6:34 pm