Other Projects

Aquarium of Niagara
The Aquarium of Niagara is important in Niagara Falls’ continuing efforts to create year-round business for the city’s hospitality industry. In 2011, the USAN Board approved a 22-acre expansion of USAN’s geographic area north of Main Street to facilitate a cultural district that includes the area surrounding the Aquarium of Niagara. Around that time, with $90,000 in ESD assistance, the Aquarium completed a master plan for a multi-year upgrade and expansion program of the facility. That was followed by USAN providing $66,100 in 2012 to the aquarium for a facilities assessment initiative. 

Building off the masterplan and facilities assessment initiative, the Aquarium has made important strides in its efforts to improve the guest experience, adding exhibits that support the organization’s mission while keeping visitors engaged and intrigued. New York State has provided grants for the following projects:

• Penguin Coast - In 2018, the $3.5 million Penguin Coast exhibit opened. The 3,500-square-foot exhibit and gallery includes living space and a rock beach modeled after the Humboldt Penguins’ native Peruvian coast. The New York Power Authority provided $1.75 million to support this project through its Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board. Other funding includes $300,000 from the WNY Regional Economic Development Council and $100,000 through Market New York.
• Aliens of the Sea – In 2019, the $477,147 Aliens of the Sea jellyfish exhibit opened. The darkened exhibit space with dramatic lighting houses about 100 jellyfish representing four species. A $68,000 WNYREDC capital grant helped with construction costs. 
• M&T Bank Shark & Ray Bay – In 2020, the $1.9 million Shark and Ray Bay opened. The interactive touch pool exhibit has a shallow tropical pool where visitors can experience the unique textures and movements of sharks, stingrays, and other marine invertebrates. ESD provided a $237,000 grant for this project. 
• Great Lakes 360 – In July 2024, the $5.2 million Great Lakes 360 project opened.  The project is in the former Niagara Gorge Discovery Center and features notable wildlife of the Niagara River and larger Great Lakes ecosystem.  The completed project has increased the number of living exhibits at the aquarium by 40 percent.  New York State funding includes a $1 million capital grant through Market NY and a previously announced $675,000 ESD grant. 
• Preferred Developer for Park View Site – In 2023, the USAN Board named the Aquarium as the preferred developer of a key parcel of land in downtown Niagara Falls. The project will redevelop a multi-lot property to include up to 31,000 square feet of programmable space and provide important visitor amenities that serve a full range of needs and interests, creating a robust cultural and educational hub for tourists and residents alike.   

Discover Niagara Shuttle (2016)
A funding agreement with the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, Inc. (NFNHA, Inc.) allowed  NFNHA to implement a two-year pilot program for a hop-on/hop-off shuttle service—to be known as the “Discover Niagara Shuttle”—connecting visitors to Niagara Falls State Park and multiple heritage destinations within the National Heritage Area.  USAN provided $120,000 towards the estimated $1,640,000 total cost of the pilot program. 

Rainforest Cafe Retail Renovation Project (2016)
USAN provided a $400,000 capital grant towards the $3.5 million retail renovation project at the Sheraton At The Falls Hotel.  The project created 14,000 square feet of retail space for a nationally known Rainforest Cafe® restaurant.  The tropical jungle themed restaurant seats 238 guests inside, with additional seating for 60 guests on an outdoor patio along Old Falls Street.