Reimagining Niagara Falls City Market is a planning process sponsored by the Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP) to develop a business plan and design concept that reinvigorates the city’s historic market district as a thriving community asset.
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Learn about the planning process, project objectives, funding, and timeline for City Market.
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Modernize the Market’s design and make it more visible from Pine Avenue
Support long-term sustainability of the Market
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Re-establish the Market as a neighborhood anchor
Increase attendance, especially by regional residents and tourists
Induce new spin-off economic activity along Pine Avenue
Increase access to fresh, wholesome food for all residents and visitors
Create better connections between the Market and Niagara County’s agricultural industry
Build new authentic food and agritourism experiences in Niagara Falls and Niagara County
Support new food-based entrepreneurship opportunities, commercialization support, and workforce development
Your answers to this survey will help ensure that the City Market meets the needs of area residents.
The Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP)—a partnership between Empire State Development, local governments, and a host of Western New York foundations— recognizes the potential of historic Niagara Falls City Market to improve the quality of life for local residents and offer economic opportunities to independent businesses and the region’s food producers.
At one time, thousands of local residents visited City Market each week and the Market anchored a vital commercial district. Other cities around the country have recently invested in their public markets and the results have been impressive, attracting new customers and breathing life into surrounding communities.
To maximize benefits to the community and ensure long term sustainability, national experts in public markets and community revitalization were retained to create an in-depth plan for improving City Market. The plan, Reimagining Niagara Falls City Market, will include proposals for new and upgraded facilities, options for changing the operating schedule, recommendations for additional types of vendors, and innovative programs.
$20 million in funding has been identified to implement the plan.
The Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP) is a $300M comprehensive economic development strategy and public-private partnership that maximizes impact and leverages additional investment for Buffalo’s East Side, Niagara Falls and Rochester. This community-driven, collaborative strategy takes a holistic, inclusive approach to economic development and is designed to build community wealth through multiple paths. The RRP was developed in collaboration with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development (ESD) and is supported by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the Farash Foundation, ESL, KeyBank/First Niagara Foundation, M&T Bank, the Center for Regional Strategies, and partners in the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester.
The team of national experts is led by Market Ventures, Inc., a firm that specializes in public markets, and includes WXY architecture + urban design, KK&P, and Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect. The project team has deep experience with revitalizing historic public markets, activating public spaces, supporting the local food systems, and creating vibrant mixed-use districts.
Niagara Falls City Market was established in 1893 by city government ordinance. Originally located in the City’s North End neighborhood, City Market moved to its more centrally located current site on Pine Avenue in 1913. The Market has continuously operated for 130 years.
Initially, the Market catered mostly to the wholesale trade, but as the city’s population ballooned in the post-war era, retail business grew as well.
By the 1950s, a host of other businesses had sprung up, including banks, stores selling paint, hardware, dry goods, shoes, and groceries, and a host of restaurants. At its height, City Market attracted 15,000 patrons a day who purchased poultry, eggs, butter, cheese and every fruit and vegetable that local farms had to offer.
A number of factors led to the Market’s decline, including changes in shopping habits, rapid depopulation, and the city’s decision to lease the Market to a private operator. Inadequate resources for management, marketing, and maintenance compounded the challenges, leading to a downward spiral of fewer vendors and fewer customers.
We want to hear from you! All comments, questions, and ideas are welcome and encouraged. Messages submitted to the below email address are received and reviewed by members of the project team.
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