...NOTL Council supports Project Niagara traffic study...as residents requested, Town traffic committee will study and set parameters for detailed traffic management plan for Project Niagara....online

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Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution to Work with Project Niagara on Traffic and Parking Plan

Resolution seen as a “breakthrough”

(Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, November 23, 2009) – The Council of Niagara-on-the-Lake unanimously adopted a resolution tonight to work with Project Niagara on a plan to resolve residents’ concerns about traffic and parking resulting from the proposed 17-week international music festival, to take place on the shore of Lake Ontario just west of the Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

With tonight’s resolution, Town Council has directed the Town’s Parking and Traffic Committee to quickly “convene and work with Project Niagara, their consultants, Town staff and concerned residents in the development of terms of reference for a traffic and parking management plan for Project Niagara.”

“This is the breakthrough we needed,” said Bill Falk, Project Niagara Board Member and local resident, who was present at tonight’s meeting. “This is the middle ground where the residents, the Town and Project Niagara can work together. How parking and traffic is managed is of fundamental importance to us.”

Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Gary Burroughs told Council that, thanks to the adoption of the resolution, “our residents’ voices will be heard.”

"I am delighted that the process has borne out this result,” said Janice Thomson, Chair of Project Niagara’s Community Relations Committee. “I understand that Council has the responsibility to conduct due diligence on behalf of the public. The thoroughness of this process shows Council's commitment to balance the needs of residents with what could be a great economic opportunity."

A traffic impact study done last spring by Delcan Corporation determined that the existing road network in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake could handle the extra traffic by visitors to the festival. However, the study also recommended a number of measures to alleviate traffic on nearby roadways, including reducing the number of parking spaces at the proposed site from 2,000 to 1,500. The Board of Project Niagara accepted these recommendations while recognizing the need for more work to be done to address how traffic and parking will be managed in order to respect the existing ambience and heritage of the Town.

The adoption of tonight’s resolution was sparked by a November 10, 2009, letter from Robert Weese, Chair of the Project Niagara Board of Directors, to Lord Mayor Gary Burroughs and Council. In the letter, Mr. Weese requested the Town’s assistance in developing terms of reference for the preparation of a parking and traffic management plan. Mr. Weese stated that Project Niagara is prepared to have the successful completion of the traffic and parking plan included as one of the conditions attached to the overall funding for the international music festival.

A detailed feasibility study presented to Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Council last December estimated that Project Niagara will generate $106 million in one-time economic activity and create 500 full-time equivalent jobs during its construction phase. Furthermore, by Year 5 of operation, the festival will generate annual economic activity of $93 million and create 707 full time equivalent jobs.

To read the Project Niagara feasibility study, traffic impact study, or for more information about the initiative, visit www.projectniagara.ca. Project Niagara is also receiving comments, questions and suggestions from the public through its info@projectniagara.ca e-mail address.

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For more information, please contact:

Janice Thomson

Chair, Community Relations Committee

Project Niagara

(905) 651-6438

Bill Falk

Board Member

Project Niagara

(905) 651-1111