As it appeared feuding factions in Niagara Falls would destroy plans for a $25 million hotel complex, Governor Andrew Cuomo's long political reach may have saved the development.
Well-known developer Mark Hamister, of The Hamister Group, is the preferred developer of a decades-long vacant lot at 310 Rainbow Boulevard for a hotel across the street from the Culinary Institute.
The project has been stalled in the City Council, with three members saying the deal wasn't good enough for the city.
Hamister had called a news conference for Thursday, apparently to announce that he was ending his effort.
Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said the governor called him and said the developer had been persuaded to stick with the plan.
"He (Cuomo) wanted all of the stakeholders to push it forward to get it together and get it done," Dyster told WBFO News.
"He wanted everybody to know that he's solidly behind this project. He says a lot of time and effort has gone into it by his staff. He believes it's an important part of his strategy for economic revitalization in Niagara Falls and this region."
The project has been the target of an anonymous mailer sent out from Erie County to households across Niagara Falls attacking Hamister personally, the deal and its terms.
The printer isn't identifying who paid him to print and distribute the mailer.
