Rep. Brian Higgins is calling for the removal of yet another section of Western New York highway in a call to restore waterfront access. Higgins stood along the Robert Moses Parkway in Niagara Falls Thursday morning, where he said he is fighting for the city to "reclaim its waterfront."
The Buffalo Democrat say the Parkway is preventing the city from developing to its full potential. The congressman says the New York Power Authority has an "obligation" to remove it.
"Since the Power Authority constructed the Robert Moses Parkway, since the Power Authority evicted all of the people, since the Power Authority owns the land on which the Robert Moses Parkway sits, they should be responsible for removal," Higgins said.
Higgins say the Authority has the capacity to remove the road, citing a $309 million surplus in 2008.
The Robert Moses was constructed in the early 1960's. It stretches over 18 miles, separating Niagara Falls from its waterfront. Higgins says it would probably cost around $120 million to remove the parkway.
At the end of this month, an environmental impact statement will be released to examine options.
“We know the formula for waterfront success – remove the barriers to access, create the public infrastructure investments necessary to draw people to the water’s edge and with new public excitement and critical mass comes the private sector investment that holds the key to turn things around,” Higgins said in a statement.
Higgins has also been leading the fight to remove the Skyway in Buffalo, which he similarly calls a barrier to waterfront access and development.
