Niagara Falls Redevelopment

Niagara Falls Redevelopment, LLC

Type	Private
Industry	Real Estate
Founded	1997
Founder(s)	Edward Cogan
Headquarters	1625 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, New York, United States
Area served	Niagara Falls, New York
Key people	Anthony Bergamo, President/CEO; Roger Trevino, Executive Vice President
Owner(s)	Howard Milstein
Parent	Milstein Properties
Website	URL

Niagara Falls Redevelopment, LLC, commonly known as NFR is a private company based in Niagara Falls, New York. NFR currently owns 145 acres (0.59 km²) of land outside of downtown Niagara Falls and has been planning to develop it for years. In addition, NFR owns two other properties. Originally, NFR planned on casino development, but the development of the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel and the fact that gambling is prohibited in New York state have been factors in NFR's lack of progress since its founding in 1997

History

The company was founded by Edward Cogan, a developer from Toronto, in 1997. Initially, NFR proposed building a casino in the Falls Street section of Niagara Falls, which was then suffering severe economic woes. Cogan was the original owner of the company, but sold 50% interest to Howard Milstein, a prominent New York City developer.

In 2003, Howard Milstein bought Cogan's 50% share in the company, becoming the sole owner, after Cogan ran into severe financial problems. Cogan died unexpectedly of a heart attack later that year. The company has not moved on any of its plans as of April, 2011.

Criticism

NFR and Milstein have been accused of "squatting" on land in Niagara Falls with no intention of development. Milstein has been called a land speculator, and NFR President Anthony Bergamo has been called a "political mouthpiece" by prominent community members. Milstein has also been attacked for his unwillingness to be interviewed by local newspapers.

Properties

• 142 Acre site, an area stretching from John B. Daly Boulevard to Portage Road between Niagara Street and Buffalo Avenue in the 14303 ZIP code of Niagara Falls.
• Former Nabisco site, the former Nabisco bakery, a 202,000-square-foot (18,800 m²) commercial building and a 172,000-square-foot (16,000 m²) distribution center located on 11 acres (45,000 m²) of prime real estate in the 1000 block of Buffalo Avenue in the 14303 ZIP code.
• The Turtle, a round building built in the shape of a turtle located on Old Main Street, formerly the Native American Center for the Living Arts.