August 14, 2014
By Stephanie West
Niagara Falls, NY – Uniland Development Company, a Western New York-based development business, has been selected as the preferred developer to rebuild and transform the former Rainbow Centre Shopping Mall in Niagara Falls.
The public-private partnership of up to an estimated $150 million, to be supported by Buffalo Billion funding, will transform 200,000 square feet of the former mall into the “Wonder Falls” Resort, a new complex featuring a hotel tower with world-class amenities, restaurants and entertainment facilities including a waterpark. With eight million tourists traveling to Niagara Falls each year, the resort is designed to encourage visitors to extend their stay in the City and view Niagara Falls as more of a year-round destination.
“This is the next big step in the transformation of not only the former Rainbow Centre Mall, but Niagara Falls as a whole,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Falls are one of our State’s most valuable tourism assets, drawing visitors from around the globe with unparalleled views, and a revitalized downtown will help the city build on this strength to not only attract more visitors, but visitors who stay longer and do more in the area. Our administration made a commitment to rebuilding Western New York’s economy through the Buffalo Billion, and this announcement is another example of how that approach is creating jobs and bringing investments back to communities that had been stagnant for too long. Today, it cannot be denied – Niagara Falls is on the move.”
The project is estimated to support approximately 1,500 direct and indirect jobs during construction, and create more than 300 direct on-site jobs after completion.
