The Seneca Nation plans to begin work on its proposed gas station and open it in time for the summer tourism season, despite local opposition.
The tribe intends to build the gas station on its sovereign property located within the city of Niagara Falls, but city officials and others oppose it, saying that while the tribe has sovereign rights, opening a gas station advances a slippery slope that gets away from gaming.
Niagara Falls Mayor Paul A. Dyster says there are better uses of the tribe’s land than building a gas station, which will compete with existing gas stations and convenience stores, but have the added competitive advantage of not being subject to local and state taxation or regulation.
The Seneca Nation has wanted to build the gas station for several years, but the state halted its progress in 2012, amid a local uproar. Having resolved its issues with the state, the tribe is moving forward with the project.
“Determining the future use and development of our sovereign lands is the right and responsibility of the Seneca Nation,” Seneca Nation President Maurice A. John said. “The project is in keeping with those sovereign rights as recognized by the federal government along the Niagara Street corridor.”
The tribe owns 50 acres of land within the city limits, and John said the tribe intends to “be a good neighbor and a strong partner with the city,” and the project will help improve the local economy by increasing consumer traffic and spurring additional development.
While the tribe and city officials deal with development issues in Niagara Falls, in Schenectady, local officials say they are concerned about potential construction and maintenance costs for new streets being built to serve the Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor.
The $480 million casino and retail project calls for construction of several new streets, but Schenectady officials say it isn’t clear who would pay to build the streets and maintain them afterward.
The proposal calls for many of the new service and access streets to become public property, and city officials said they will discuss its potential costs during the City Council’s February monthly meeting.
