After years of looking like the 20th-century world wide web, the Falls has taken a bold leap into the 21st-century internet.
On Monday, the city launched the newest version of its website: https://niagarafallsusa.org/
Mayor Robert Restaino says the early reviews of the new site have been positive.
“On balance it’s been met with a favorable response. We’ve had positive reviews,” the mayor said. “We think (the website) is fresher and brighter.’
The process of updating the website began with an RFP a little less than a year ago. City officials met with several vendors to “audition” their ideas from improving the internet experience for city residents.
Restaino said he told the vendors, “I just want something that residents will be proud of.”
The home page of the newly launched website features panoramic pictures of the falls with links to a welcoming video. The page also features a continuously updated calendar of community events, links to recent news impacting the city and side and upper navigation bars designed to provide a wide range of information for residents and visitors.
“There is more build-out coming,” Restaino said. “we’re looking to get people to use the web page, to make it their point for engagement with the city. We hope more people will engage with (the page).”
Navigating from the sidebar, residents will find a one-stop ability to access information on employment, certificates and licenses, the property tax and assessment rolls, pay taxes and other fees, submit bids on projects, or request more information on city services and operations.
Restaino said the new website boosts the city’s ability to allow residents to “complete applications, get permits, and do it without having to travel to city hall.”
The mayor said he’s hoping that residents will get online to check out the new site so “we can show people the amount of information that is there.”
The project was coordinated by the city’s Department of Management Information Systems (MIS). Every city department has been directly involved in building out its own pages within the website.
Visitors to the city can also make use of the web page to find lodging, places to dine and attractions, while also learning about the history of the Falls.
“We wanted to make it a (website) that is useful to both our residents and visitors,” the mayor said.