Latest news with #CentennialPark
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Falls accepts NFR data center proposal for further review
The Niagara Falls City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to 'accept as complete' an application filed with city planners by Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR) to establish a Negotiated Planned Development District, also known as a Planned Unit District (PUD) for the purpose of developing a proposed $1.5 billion data center campus in the South End. Council members also approved taking on the role of 'Lead Agency' in the environmental review of the project. NFR's application was also referred to the Niagara Falls and Niagara County planning boards and the city's Zoning Board of Appeals for further consideration. Members had a few questions for acting City Corporation Counsel Thomas DeBoy regarding the application. DeBoy told Member Brian Archie (D) that NFR does not own all of the roughly 53 acres of land that would comprise the total project. 'But that doesn't prevent them from filing the application,' he said. The first stage of the project, which NFR has dubbed 'Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus PUD,' is projected to occupy the same parcel of 12 to 15 acres of prime South End tourist district land that the city has proposed to use for its Centennial Park project. Control of that land has already been awarded to the city through the courts by an eminent domain proceeding. The city has also recently filed a claim that asserts that roughly 5 acres of the disputed land, formerly the 10th Street Park, was never properly transferred to NFR as part of a 2003 settlement of an earlier lawsuit between the Falls and the South End land owner. The resolution, approved by the council, specifically states that nothing contained in it 'waives any rights of the city to recover the park property.' Asked by Council Member Donta Myles if approving the application could lead to 'more litigation', DeBoy told him, 'You could be sued either way you vote.' NFR has said its data center campus project 'is anticipated to bring 5,600 jobs to Niagara Falls during construction, as well as more than 550 permanent jobs when all phases of the data center are up and running.' NFR's original project application, filed in October, was determined to be incomplete by city planners. At almost 500 pages then, the application called for the Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus to be developed in five phases. The campus would include eight two-story buildings and one one-story building, for a total of 1,232,715 square feet of space. The full development would cover approximately 53 acres of what NFR has described as 'mostly vacant land.' The property would be bounded by John B. Daly Boulevard, Falls Street, 15th Street and Buffalo Avenue. Included in the application is a rezoning request, copies of traffic and noise studies, an environmental and energy impact plan, a full environment assessment form, a verified ownership petition, a survey and legal description, a historical property assessment, and aerial maps showing the placement of the data center and various other key elements of the plan. The project application was originally filed just over a month after New York's highest court, the Court of Appeals, rejected a second appeal by NFR seeking to have its justices weigh in on the legality of the use of eminent domain to take NFR's land, described as 907 Falls St. and an adjacent portion of property along John Daly Memorial Parkway, for the proposed Centennial Park project. After the appeals court ruling, Mayor Robert Restaino said the city would move forward with 'a valuation and acquisition' of the property where NFR wants to build its first proposed data center building. The city council is currently weighing an appraised bid on the property of more than $4 million.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Niagara Falls City Council will consider accepting NFR data center application
The Niagara Falls City Council will consider a resolution at its meeting tonight to 'accept as complete' an application filed with city planners by Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR) to establish a Negotiated Planned Development District, also known as a Planned Unit District (PUD) for the purpose of developing a proposed $1.5 billion data center campus in the South End. Council members will also be asked to approve taking on the role of 'Lead Agency' in the environmental review of the project. If approved, the resolution would refer NFR's application to the Falls and Niagara County planning boards and the city's Zoning Board of Appeals for further consideration. The first stage of the project, which NFR has dubbed 'Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus PUD,' is projected to occupy the same parcel of 12 to 15 acres of prime South End tourist district land that the city has proposed to use for its Centennial Park project. Control of that land has also been awarded to the city through the courts by an eminent domain proceeding. The city has recently filed a claim that asserts that roughly 5 acres of the disputed land, formerly the 10th Street Park, was never properly transferred to NFR as part of a 2003 settlement of an earlier lawsuit between the Falls and the South End land owner. The resolution specifically states that nothing contained in it 'waives any rights of the city to recover the park property.' NFR has said its data center campus project 'is anticipated to bring 5,600 jobs to Niagara Falls during construction, as well as more than 550 permanent jobs when all phases of the data center are up and running.' NFR's original project application, filed in October, was determined to be incomplete by city planners. At almost 500 pages then, the application called for the Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus to be developed in five phases. The campus would include eight two-story buildings and one one-story building, for a total of 1,232,715 square feet of space. The full development would cover approximately 53 acres of what NFR has described as 'mostly vacant land.' The property would be bounded by John B. Daly Boulevard, Falls Street, 15th Street and Buffalo Avenue. Included in the application is a rezoning request, copies of traffic and noise studies, an environmental and energy impact plan, a full environment assessment form, a verified ownership petition, a survey and legal description, a historical property assessment, and aerial maps showing the placement of the data center and various other key elements of the plan. It was originally filed just over a month after New York's highest court, the Court of Appeals rejected a second appeal by NFR seeking to have its justices weigh in on the legality of the use of eminent domain to take NFR's land, described as 907 Falls St. and an adjacent portion of property along John Daly Memorial Parkway, for the proposed Centennial Park project. After the appeals court ruling, Mayor Robert Restaino said the city would move forward with 'a valuation and acquisition' of the property where NFR wants to build its first proposed data center building. The city council is weighing an appraised bid on the property of more than $4 million.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Centennial Park feasibility study expected to be released this month
Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino says he expects to release a feasibility study on the proposed Centennial Park project later this month. He also said Monday that the study supports the project and 'its ability to be successful.' Restaino spoke to the Gazette after making an 'informal presentation' on the project to mayors from across New York at last week's New York Conference of Mayors meeting in Albany. The mayor said he is arranging to meet with the 'stakeholders who paid for the study' prior to publicly releasing its findings. 'One of the things we will do is meet with the stakeholders (representatives of Empire State Development and the National Grid Strategic Economic Development Program) who paid for the study and show it to them,' Restaino said. 'And then we'll release it to the public. This month everything is going to be out in the open.' Restaino did not discuss any specific findings of the study, indicating that it was still 'being completed.' But he did say that the findings of the study were 'supportive' of the Centennial Park proposal. Empire State Development (ESD) and the National Grid Strategic Economic Development Program are reimbursing the city up to $140,000 for the cost of the study which has been prepared by Sports Facilities Advisory LLC, a Florida-based sports facilities consulting company. An additional projected $5,000 to $6,000 in expenses for travel and travel-related costs is being covered by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. The contract with Sports Facilities called for the preparation of a 'market analysis and feasibility study' of the Centennial Park plans which call for the construction of a 'multi-faceted, year-round event campus' that would include a 6,000 to 7,000-seat arena for sporting and entertainment events, a smaller multi-purpose facility and a splash pad that could be converted into an ice-skating rink during winter months. The project also calls for the construction of a parking ramp with exterior walls that could be used for rock climbing and a roof that could be used as a location for concerts or movie screenings. The estimated cost of the project is between $150 million to $160 million. The park would be constructed on up to 12 acres of South End property described as 907 Falls St. and an adjacent portion of the property along John Daly Memorial Parkway. That property had been owned by Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR), and an affiliated company, Blue Apple Properties. The city was awarded the property as a result of a successful eminent domain proceeding against NFR. Restaino said during his discussion of the project with other mayors the city leaders were focused on the Falls' use of eminent domain. Eminent domain refers to the right of 'a government or its representative to take private property for public use, as long as the land owner is fairly compensated.' The use of eminent domain has been enshrined in American law for more than 150 years since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Kohl v. United States in 1875. 'Some (of the mayors) wanted more information on eminent domain so I did provide that,' Restaino said. 'I think they were happy to have a conversation and some of them had (expressed) a fear of the length of time to make eminent domain work. But in our case, it only took 21 months.' The mayor expressed disappointment that the city council, at its last meeting, tabled his request to begin the process of purchasing roughly 5 acres of the proposed Centennial Park project site. Restaino had asked for authorization to submit a $4.029 million offer to NFR and its affiliate, to purchase the property based on an independent appraisal of the land. Several council members objected to authorizing the offer without having a chance to first review the appraisal and the feasibility study. The mayor said council members could review the appraisal, but it would not be publicly released because it is part of the ongoing litigation with NFR. 'We're waiting to make (NFR) an offer,' Restaino said. 'We've put a number forward. It's more a question of if the council is going to approve going forward with it.' The purchase offer is based on the acquisition of only slightly more than half of the land the city originally sought in its eminent domain action. In January, the city began legal proceedings against NFR claiming that 5 acres of the contested South End property, already subject to the eminent domain action, was never legally transferred to NFR's ownership. The city is claiming that property formerly known as the 10th Street Park, at the intersection of 10th and Falls streets, was never properly deeded to NFR as part of a deal in 2003-2004 between the South End land owner and former Falls mayors Irene Elia and Vince Anello. Restaino has said the city's special counsel for the Centennial Park project has determined that NFR never completed the process of taking control of the land by gaining approval of the property transfer from the New York State Legislature. The city and NFR are currently contesting that claim in New York State Supreme Court.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Orland Park mental health event organizer: ‘I needed to do something positive'
The trying times Josette Songco and her two sons went through years ago taught them the importance of bringing more attention to mental health. The Songco family came out to volunteer Saturday at the Be Kind to Your Mind Mental Health/Wellness Fair and Walk to let other people know there is help out there for depression and other forms of mental illness. The event at Centennial Park in Orland Park was held the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month. The family helped put together bird feeder kits and planters donated by Home Depot and do face painting for attendees. The three received emotional support from Michelle Maxia, who organized the event and who runs Toy Box Connection in Orland Park, a charity that donates toys and used books, clothes, food and furniture to shelters, nursing homes, veterans' children and other with people in need. They remembered being volunteer gift-wrappers for the nonprofit at Orland Square mall years ago on a Christmas eve, when they had no place to go. 'We ran into some tough times,' said Songco. 'This set up a tradition for us.' She said Maxia taught them there are always a lot of people here with less. A main attraction was a 2K Drop the Rock walk, a meditative stroll where walkers picked up a rock that represented their problems, found 'positive affirmations' as they walked and then dropped the rock at the end, letting go of their distress. There were 30 mental health/wellness vendors, including Personal Balance Counseling and Aligned Modern Health, two sponsors both from Orland Park. Uniquely You Behavioral Health, and the Orland Fire Protection District also participated. There were food trucks, a bounce house, teen obstacle course, games, arts and a craft tent. Maxia, who lives in Orland Park, said she hoped the first-time event caught on. 'We decided to give something a little different back to the community,' said Maxia, a former Cook County sheriff's police officer. It was during her years in that job that she saw many people struggling with mental health problems, including battered women and the homeless. 'Because of what I saw … I knew where the struggle was and the need was,' she said about starting Toy Box Connection. 'I saw a great many homeless people who clearly did not have the resources or insurance to get the help they needed.' She was reminded about the need for mental health help when her nephew took his own life four years ago, a good friend died by suicide two years ago and a close friend in September 2024. 'I felt like I needed to do something positive,' said Maxia. 'I wanted to capture a day when there would be help, resources and people lifting each other up.' Elizabeth Frantz, a counselor with Healing Hearts Equine and Animal Assisted Mental Health Therapy in New Lenox, and Brooke Shawaluk, of Sarah's Stables in Willow Springs, brought a pony for attendees to pet and learn about the therapy. 'Mental Health is something there's a stigma around and not everybody wants to talk about it,' said Frantz, a counselor who uses animals in her therapy. 'Everyone at some point suffers from something.' She said simply having a pet can teach people mindfulness. Angel Espinosa and his dad, Oscar Espinosa, said they attended because they know the importance of getting help. 'Mental health is a key thing,' said Angel Espinosa. 'You have to speak clearly and communicate well with people to help you succeed in life. … It takes a lot to think clearly every day when you have mental health struggles.' Another mental health event this month is a seminar about diagnoses, treatment and recovery, self-care and resources by the National Alliance for the Mentally ill South Suburbs of Chicago. It will be held at 9:30 a.m. on June 7 at the Bremen Township Senior Complex, 15350 Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest. The Dolton Park District recently had a program on upcoming mental health services coming to the community with information from Envision Unlimited on The Living Room, the Drop-in Center, and Cultural and Faith Based Empowerment Program, in addition to NAMI South Suburbs. The Park District has a Teen Dating Violence Conference from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 7, at its fieldhouse, 721 Engle St., Dolton.
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Albany students have a kick at Centennial Park with All Abilities Football WA
More than 70 students from Spencer Park and Albany education centres enjoyed a day of footy fun on Thursday thanks to an inclusive AFL carnival hosted by All Abilities Football WA. All Abilities Football inclusion specialist Rob Geersen said the Centennial Park carnival was a great opportunity to get children of any ability on the field. 'We've come down to Albany to basically give the opportunity for children from education support schools across the region living with disability to play football, and they've come together at the carnival just to get out, have some fun and experience something I think that many of us take for granted, but for the kids living with disability is not so easy,' he said. Mr Geersen said the schools carnival was aimed at opening families' eyes to the possibility of getting their kids into regular football. 'Traditionally in times past, there haven't been these options, and children with disability were being segregated from community and opportunities,' he said. 'We want to break down those barriers, and it's important for the community to embrace it as well, it's a two way street. 'These families that are local here, they all deserve the same opportunities to make those decisions for their kids, to be part of it. 'It's a tough life for many families, but just to get that opportunity to engage, I think it's priceless.' 'We've had kids down here at the carnivals that have never experienced football before, we've got kids today using mobility devices, walkers and wheelchairs. 'I saw a young lady today, she uses a walking frame and she kicked a goal, and the smile on her face when she achieved that was massive. 'That is the best thing about today, it's all the smiles from the kids and the fact that they feel they've achieved something, and they have, they have achieved something.' All Abilities Football runs the statewide program Star Kick, which creates an environment for children of all abilities to play AFL.
