Cuomo Scraps Proposal To Build Lodge On Niagara Falls Island

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has backed away from a proposal to build a privately operated lodge on a state-owned island near the brink of Niagara Falls.

The Democrat last month said he wanted Empire State Development to put out a request for proposals to build a lodge on Goat Island, part of Niagara Falls State Park.

The idea quickly drew criticism from preservationists and local officials who say such a project would spoil the island's beauty and take business away from nearby hotels.

Scores of people turned out during Tuesday night's Niagara Falls City Council meeting to voice their opposition to the governor's proposal. During the meeting Council Member Kristen Grandinetti's said she received a text message from Cuomo's office saying he was backing off the Goat Island proposal.