State Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I-North Tonawanda) today issued the following statement regarding Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to build a world-class lodge on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park. Last week, Senator Ortt sent a letter to the governor voicing his opposition and concerns with the plan. 

 Senator Ortt said, “I fully support much-needed public-private investments in the City of Niagara Falls. In the past several years, we’ve taken concrete steps to enrich the Falls tourist experience by improving the landscape and protecting the environment. We’ve done this while also focusing on rebuilding the economy and enhancing the quality of life for Falls residents. The proposal for a lodge on Goat Island runs contrary to the steps we’ve taken and the overall master plan for Falls development. A state lodge within the park would create unnecessary competition for hotels in the downtown corridor and divert revenue directly from the city to the state – all while discouraging tourists from extending their stay in the city. This is simply the wrong project in the wrong location.”