By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The American side of Niagara Falls is in line to get a much needed make-over.
United States Senator Charles Schumer was in Buffalo Monday to talk about problems with passports. But he brightened considerably when asked about Niagara Falls' chances of winning the much-coveted National Heritage Area designation.
Schumer said a law granting the designation is almost assured. The legislation was approved in Senate committee and Schumer said full passage is expected by both houses of Congress by October.
The Bush Administration and some Republican lawmakers had previously opposed the legislation. However, Schumer said they expect easy passage.
The law will not make Niagara Falls a national park, as some had hoped. But Schumer said the Heritage Area designation gives Niagara Falls the best of both worlds, bringing in more than $10 million in federal funding for planning and revamping the area, while allowing the municipality to maintain local control.
Planners say the designation would help them link points of interest and promote the region more effectively, attracting more visitors and economic development.
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