NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - TelAve -- Clifford Scott, former community development director and code enforcement director for the City of Niagara Falls and former executive director of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, is calling on city leaders to support the Centennial Park project and the land acquisition needed to advance it.

Scott said the project represents an important opportunity to support long-term economic development, tourism, recreation and neighborhood investment in Niagara Falls.

"Centennial Park is more than a land acquisition," Scott said. "It is an opportunity to shape the future of Niagara Falls and create a development asset that can benefit residents, businesses and visitors for generations."

Scott has an intimate understanding of the Centennial Park project, the properties involved and the potential development opportunities connected to the acquisition. His previous work in community development, housing, code enforcement and neighborhood revitalization gave him direct experience with large-scale redevelopment efforts and the challenges of assembling land for future public use.

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"The city has a limited number of opportunities to assemble land in a way that can support a transformational project," Scott said. "Once strategically important property is lost or developed for another purpose, it may never again be available."

Scott said Centennial Park could help attract private investment to surrounding areas, increase recreational opportunities, support tourism and create new possibilities for housing, hospitality, retail and mixed-use development.

He also said a major public space could improve the quality of life for residents and help the city compete for new businesses, families and visitors.

"Public spaces can serve as economic development tools," Scott said. "A well-planned park can create activity around it, increase confidence in nearby neighborhoods and encourage additional public and private investment."

Scott urged city officials to evaluate the project based on its long-term value rather than focusing only on the immediate cost of acquiring the land.

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"The city must look beyond one budget year or one administration," Scott said. "This is about whether Niagara Falls is willing to make a strategic investment that can produce benefits over the next several decades."

Scott said the project should also be viewed as an opportunity to connect downtown development, tourism activity, neighborhood revitalization and recreational planning.

"Niagara Falls needs projects that build on the city's existing strengths while creating new reasons for people to live, work, invest and spend time here," Scott said. "Centennial Park has the potential to do that."

Scott called on elected officials, business leaders, community organizations and residents to support the acquisition process and work together to ensure the project reaches its full potential.

"This is a chance for Niagara Falls to invest in itself," Scott said. "The city should move forward with vision, urgency and a clear understanding of what this project could mean for its future."