The goal of USA Niagara supporting mixed-use development projects is to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with commercial, retail and residential development elements that service several market segments and ultimately result in capturing more of the tourist visitation to downtown Niagara Falls.

USA Niagara has focused on the Third Street corridor, which represents a transitional zone between downtown and city neighborhoods to the north and east.  With its connection to Old Falls Street and the Niagara Falls Convention Center, Third Street is a natural extension of the new urban neighborhood that is being created by the redevelopment on Old Falls Street.  USA Niagara, in partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, completed a $3.7 million comprehensive streetscape and road reconstruction initiative for the Third Street Business District in October 2005.  With financial incentives available through the USA Niagara Development Corporation Grant Program, USA Niagara has helped leverage private investment by assisting with facade and capital improvements to several Third Street buildings, which in turn has led to new commercial, retail and residential developments. A few recent projects include:

• 223 Ferry Avenue – A $700,000 renovation project to a formerly vacant two-story building on the corner of Ferry Avenue and Third Street. Renovations created two second-floor apartments, retail space for a locally-owned craft-beer theme restaurant and retail space for two storefronts.
• 421 Third Street – A façade restoration and retail renovation project. Renovations of $90,000 upgraded a locally owned and operated restaurant.
• 451 Third Street – An $843,000 restoration and rehabilitation project of an existing 13,000-square-foot, 1920s-era, mixed commercial/retail structure. Formerly vacant for nearly a decade, the building is one of the largest structures in the heart of the Third Street Business District. The project included renovations towards four commercial storefronts and eight residential units.

Grants available through The Niagara Falls Small Business Property Improvement Program are intended to create commercial, retail, and residential development elements that will service several market segments and ultimately result in capturing more of the tourist and resident visitation to Niagara Falls. A few recent projects within the USA Niagara Development District include:

• 324 Niagara Street – Retail Renovation Project ($39,681) – Grant funds were used for build-out of tenant retail space on the first floor of the historic Tugby-Lennon building.
• 1 Prospect Street – Niagara Falls Magic Theatre ($62,378) – Grant funds were used to transform the existing basement space at Comfort Inn The Pointe into a high-end theatrical experience.  
• 300 Third Street – Steelbound Brewery & Distillery ($100,000) – Grant funds were used to renovate vacant retail space into a full-scale restaurant and brewing operation. Improvements include an expanded outdoor patio along Old Falls Street.