From the June 3, 2005 issue of Niagara This Week:
Artist’s rendition of new development for Clifton Hill.
Cranking up fun factor on the Hill
$100-million development features amusement rides, hotelRobert Lapensee
Jun 3, 2005NIAGARA FALLS — His proposed new amusement park for Clifton Hill will not have a carnival feeling, promises Harry Oakes, president of HOCO Ltd. Instead, the ambitious new project will be an upscale urban entertainment centre.
And it won’t make as much noise as residents fear it will, either.
City politicians unanimously gave the nod to Oakes’ application to build a 20-ride amusement park, which will include a 53-metre Ferris wheel and two roller coasters, along a 28-storey, 300-room hotel building on Clifton Hill after a public meeting on Monday. The project is expected to cost over $100-million and will stretch from Clifton Hill to Robinson Street.
“We are looking to be more of a Disney level,” said Oakes, after being asked if there will be any similarity to the now-defunct Maple Leaf Village. “It’s on a totally different level.”
Oakes, whose company owns hotels and a number of businesses along Clifton Hill, believes his proposal of integrating the midway on Clifton Hill will help reverse the tourist area’s decline in recent years. He said the new development will help increase the length of stay of visitors on Clifton Hill and keep attracting visitors back.
“The relationship of amusement rides, restaurants and retail is the key component,” said Oakes.
“It will be a reason for the travelling family to stay on Clifton Hill,” added Victor Muratori, Oakes’ lawyer. “It is an extremely important piece of the entertainment puzzle in attracting and maintaining people.”
At first blush, the thought of having a Ferris wheel by the Falls didn’t sit well with Alderman Selina Volpatti. But Oakes explained this won’t be your normal carnival-type Ferris wheel: the new project will feature year-round cabins that are heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer.
“Ferris wheels are the international symbol of fun,” said Oakes.
Mary Buckingham of Eastwood Crescent and Linda Manson of Cookman Crescent were both on hand to air their concerns about possible noise the new development will bring.
“No matter how quiet you can make your machines, you can not dim the excited squeals of the patrons,” said Buckingham, adding she can already hear late night karaoke from the Hill.
But Oakes said noise will be kept to a minimum thanks to the positioning of the coasters and other rides in the rear part of the property.
Buckingham was also concerned the development will take away green space from the tourist area, but Oakes said his project features a landscaping program that will blend the development in with neighbouring Queen Victoria Park as well as provide access linkages to the park. Oakes said he’d also like to see the Jolley Cut, a trail at the southern border of his property, improved.
An artist’s rendering of the project shown at the public meeting showed only the hotel tower and the Ferris wheel could be seen from the park.
“One third of the site (31 acres in total) is landscaping,” said Oakes. “Twelve per cent will be streetscaping.
Muratori added the development is important for the city and the tourist area because the property links Clifton Hill area with the Fallsview sub district.
“It is a key property that, along with the People Mover, will provide a linkage between the two sub districts.”
The first phase of the project will start in October with completion of the Ferris wheel expected next year. Oakes is looking at a five to 10 year range for the total completion of the development.