New Development Highlights
New investment and development occurs across all industry sectors and business districts in Niagara Falls. But the projects are far from ‘regular’. These are exciting times for business owners and residents in the City’s tourism and hospitality, commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors. Look who’s investing in Niagara Falls!
Tourism Sector Developments
World-Class Scotiabank Convention Centre Opens
The new $100-million, 280,000 sq. ft. Scotiabank Convention Centre opened in April 2011. Located just 500 yards from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, the convention centre will help bring over 500,000 additional visits to Niagara Falls each year and help generate more than $93 million in new local expenditures annually.
www.fallsconventions.com
$150-million Hilton Hotel Expansion: Canada's Largest Hotel Tower
A massive, $150-million, 53-storey, 464-room expansion of the Niagara Falls Hilton Hotel on Fallsview Boulevard is the latest investment by an international brand name hotelier in Niagara Falls. Completion of the first phase in 2009 helped create 450 new jobs. Upon completion of the second phase in 2011, the Hilton will be home to a new 1,000 person concert facility, a new spa, and additional entertainment and retail areas.
www.niagarafallshilton.com
$11-million Lundy's Lane Battlefield Legacy Project
The $11-million Bicentennial Lundy’s Lane Battlefield Legacy Project will enhance existing historically significant sites located within the City’s Historic Drummondville district. Once completed in 2012, visitors to the area will be able to experience and appreciate the significant impact that battles waged in Niagara Falls during the War of 1812 have had on the history of our great nation.
www.niagarafallsmuseum.ca
Laurcoat Inc. Opens
Michael Laur decided to open the 7,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art powder coating operation after his employer of ten years closed its Niagara branch factory. Currently employs five people at its 8100 Dorchester Rd. location. www.laurcoat.com
DA Media Group - New Media Studio
DA Media Group opened a new digital media studio and creative agency at 4530 Drummond Rd. in 2010. The new company employs a team of 12 media professionals, several of which are Niagara College and Brock University graduates. www.damediagroup.com
Institutional Sector
$1-billion Ontario Power Generation Niagara Tunnel Project
Construction of Ontario Power Generation’s new 10.4 km tunnel under the city of Niagara Falls will help create enough hydroelectricity to power a city twice the size of Niagara Falls. The $1-billion Niagara Tunnel Project will generate an additional 1.6 billion kilowatt hours of clean power — enough to meet the needs of 160,000 homes annually. Between 2005 and completion, the project will create up to 350 full-time jobs.
www.opg.com
Historic Drummondville Farmers' Market set for Redevelopment
The 30-year old Farmers’ Market at Sylvia Place located in the Historic Drummondville Community Improvement Plan district will undergo significant renovations. Plans include a new 8,000 sq. ft. building capable of hosting vendors year-round. The redevelopment will be staged in phases, coinciding with the City’s Bicentennial War of 1812 Celebrations.
See whats available here
Gale Centre Arena Complex Opens
A new state-of-the-art four-pad arena complex opened in June 2010 at the site of a former industrial factory in Niagara Falls. Construction of the Gale Centre Complex will help transform a 16-acre industrial brownfield site into a multi-function arena facility. The complex boasts four NHL-sized ice surfaces, including one 2,000-seat arena.
More information can be found on the Gale Centre page.
Commercial Sector Developments
Oakwood Drive and McLeod Road SmartCentre
In March 2010, Smart Centres broke ground on a new $70-million Super Walmart store project on Oakwood Drive. The new 38,700 sq. m. shopping centre will be anchored by a Super Walmart store and will also include a 6,300 sq. m. second anchor tenant along with an additional 15,660 sq. m. service and retail area which will open mid-2011.
Revitalized Downtown Commercial and Cultural District
Downtown Niagara Falls is the new location of choice for artisans, boutique retailers, and specialty restaurants who are joining forces with commercial, professional, and public service providers to help redevelop Queen Street and breathe new life into the city’s former commercial core. Downtown is one of several designated districts under the City’s Community Improvement Plan.