Street Vendors on Old Falls Street?



Canal St Vendors in New York City



Washington D.C Street Vendors

     To build or not to build... This is the question that is burning in the minds of many local Niagara Falls citizens like myself when we heard the latest development proposal. City officials would like to allow Street Vendors to set up shop along Old Falls St before the tourist season in 2011. Street Vendors have their place in downtown districts but do they belong along the newly constructed and highly sustainable Old Falls Street? Do we really want these businesses clamoring up our beautiful street? Does it make more sense to renovate and reopen an area specifically for Street Vendors? I believe these Street Vendors belong in downtown Niagara Falls, but definitely not on Old Falls Street. Leave this tract as a  quintessential sustainable street design model free from the obstruction of Street Vendors. Designate and develop a plot of land like "Smokin" Joe Anderson's underutilized lot beside his ill-fated Snow Park Niagara into a vendor plaza and embrace the unique atmosphere they bring to the area. 

     If Niagara Falls is to not follow through with their current plans, then they better take the necessary precautions in administering strict permits and enforcing building codes. Meanwhile they should be looking into permanent locations for vendors along the Old Falls Street Station. The last thing we want is for Old Falls Street and downtown Niagara Falls to become another version of Canal Street in New York City.

Pros and Cons of Street Vendors in a Community