Council voted for a committee that'll look into events, beautification
Another attempt at Niagara Falls city council at improving the downtown core, especially Queen Street, after the BIA was disbanded.
Councillor Mona Patel's idea of a committee with councillors, businesses, and stakeholders was passed, to deal with events, cameras, and beautification.
She says businesses lost out last Christmas and this summer is passing by. "For some businesses they might not survive, if they miss another season. So, this is just to get those businesses the business they deserve, and to get the traffic downtown. And, another thing, people coming off the GO-train in the summertime... we have thousands of people coming off that every weekend."
Councillor Lori Lococo voted against, saying businesses must first decide what to do with money left from the old BIA.
"I think it's a pre-mature thing for us to make a decision. A lot of people don't trust council because we dissolved the BIA, and some of their feelings are if a committee is formed with council on it, how is that going to be different?"
Councillor Ruth Ann Nieuwesteeg suggested residents could also have input, different than a BIA.
A number of people spoke at the last council meeting for and against the committee idea.
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