By Joyce Kryszak
Niagara Falls, NY – As the ripple effects of the Spitzer scandal spread, some are wondering what it will mean for Spitzer's agenda to revive upstate cities.
Spitzer once likened the state's depressed upstate cities to Appalachia. It was a comparison actually welcomed by some elected leaders, such as Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. He knew that assessment could mean a long- overdue infusion of state dollars to keep Niagara Falls from going down the drain.
Dyster was right. In October, Spitzer arrived in Western New York with big promises of money in hand. Niagara Falls was to be a centerpiece of those efforts. But Dyster said the scandal has, at least temporarily, put some of those plans on hold.
Dyster said the roughly eight million dollars Spitzer had earmarked for the Old Falls Street project is secure. Planning for the transformation of the pedestrian mall is slated for spring.
But Dyster said there are other projects that are now less certain.
Spitzer recently requested a project list that the state could help fund. Topping Dyster's list was roughly twenty million dollars for the Experience Niagara Center to boost tourism. Dyster said he is optimistic that once the dust settles, his list will get back on someone's desk.
A spokesperson for Gunderson confirmed that Empire State Development, along with all state departments, is continuing with business as usual. Click the "listen" icon above to hear Joyce Kryszak's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.