“I’m excited to see investment in community, public safety, city-owned properties, and small business,” Kennedy said. “I don’t think anyone can dislike any of the proposed options because Niagara Falls needs upgrades in every department. We need to bring ourselves congruent with the times we are living in.”
The largest single expenditure would be the $10.5 million LED street light conversion, followed by $7.5 million for paving streets and grading alleys.
The NFC Development Corp., the city’s development agency, will receive $3 million to make loans and grants to minority and woman-owned businesses, while $500,000 is earmarked to reimburse small business owners who install security cameras.
Restaino proposed to spend $2 million on new police cars, which would be a new concept for the Falls.
“Typically, what we get are used vehicles from other agencies,” Restaino said.
He also called for spending $1.8 million for new portable radios and $790,000 for new body cameras for every officer.
“They’re critical from the officer’s point of view and the public’s point of view,” the mayor said.
A $4.8 million investment in the Fire Department will yield five new fire trucks, seven thermal imaging cameras for use inside burning buildings, new air packs and defibrillators. All firehouses will receive new furniture, bedding and lawn mowers.