USA Niagara Development and Niagara Falls city officials announced Wednesday that five building restoration projects, housing small businesses and tourist attractions, have been completed.
The restorations were funded through the Niagara Falls Small Business Property Improvement Grant Program, which uses state and local funds to assist buildings in certain city business districts.
The five completed projects are:
• 1313-1319 Main St. — Received $44,141 for a partial roof replacement, masonry repair, and exterior painting for this building at the intersection of Main Street and Portage Road.
• 650 Park Place — Received $100,000. The former First Church of Christ, Scientists, is being restored and turned into the Kashmir Museum, housing the world’s largest collection of Kashmiri art and artifacts outside of the South Asian region.
• 1717 Pine Ave. — The building housing an O’Reilly Auto Parts store used its $71,685 in grant funds for a roof replacement, fencing, and landscaping.
• 745 East Market St. — Containing the Dosa Place Indian Restaurant, its $52,971 in grant funds went toward roof replacement, exterior and interior painting, new flooring, fencing, countertops, and doors.
• 1 Prospect St. — The Comfort Inn space housing the Niagara Falls Magic Theatre used its $62,378 for improving illusionist Leon Etienne’s theatrical experience, including installing new sound, lighting, video and special effects equipment, along with new exterior signage.
“These five completed projects represent the tangible momentum we are building in Niagara Falls,” said USA Niagara President Anthony Vilardo. “By partnering with local small businesses and building owners — from the restoration of a historic church into a world-class museum to essential upgrades for small businesses — we are ensuring that the governor’s vision for a revitalized, mixed-use downtown for both residents and visitors is reflected in our business districts.”
So far, this grant program has distributed more than $370,000 in funding to six projects on Pine Avenue, Main Street, and downtown Niagara Falls, worth around $758,600.
The $5 million program that Hochul first announced in November 2023 provides small businesses with grants to help revitalize traditional mixed-use business districts. The grants can cover up to 50% of total eligible costs, up to $100,000 per property.
Funding for this comes from the Regional Revitalization Partnership, a $300 million multi-year collaborative between Empire State Development, local municipalities, and philanthropic partners like the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. The program funds other restoration efforts in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Rochester.
“Investing in our business districts creates a more vibrant city and these awards continue the commitment by Governor Hochul to invest in structures that are key to revitalizing our downtown,” said Mayor Robert Restaino. “We urge other businesses and developers to take advantage of the opportunities provided through the funding program created by New York State to continue the momentum of reinvigorating our various business districts.”