BRC Imagination Arts and Nick Winslow to Lead Niagara Experience Center Design Charretts

release date: March 30, 2004

Burbank, Calif. -- USA Niagara Development Corporation ("USA Niagara") Chairman Charles A. Gargano announced today that USA Niagara and the Niagara Experience Center ("NEC") Executive Board have selected BRC Imagination Arts ("BRC") to lead the NEC design charrette. The design charrette will be an intense multi-day work session for key Niagara Falls cultural, heritage and tourism representatives to share creative thoughts and opinions and select the themes, exhibits, and storylines for the NEC.   Following the Charrette, a viable development plan will be prepared and formally presented to the public.

 "Today's selection of BRC continues to move the NEC project toward reality," said Chairman Gargano.   "Our investment in this first-class facility will ensure that the natural and cultural history of the Falls continues to be a part of the tourist experience.   This nationally renowned firm is being asked to create an attraction worthy of the new Niagara Falls," he added.

NEC Board Member Paul Dyster said, "For years we've all known that we need more family-oriented entertainment in Niagara Falls and that a project like this could be a key part of downtown revitalization. USA Niagara is helping to move our vision toward implementation. For the NEC to be a success, it will need to both educate and to entertain visitors. BRC has what it takes to move our efforts to the next level," he explained.  

Bob Rogers, Chairman & CEO of BRC said, "We are excited to see the Niagara Experience begin and develop into a world-class project. Our team sees great potential in Niagara Falls, New York and we are looking forward to developing an experience that will touch many lives."

BRC of Burbank, California, is an internationally renowned themed entertainment attraction design firm. Their areas of expertise lie in exhibit design, theme development and building programming. Previous BRC projects include the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Apollo/Saturn V Center at Kennedy Space Center, and Universal's Animation Celebration.   Leading the effort will be veteran attractions expert, Nick Winslow.   "This is a unique opportunity to re-establish Niagara Falls, New York as the must-see heart of the Niagara experience," said Winslow.

The completed NEC project will be a state-of-the-art, themed entertainment attraction for the City of Niagara Falls.   The NEC will serve as the portal to the Niagara Frontier Region and its numerous historical and cultural attractions. The NEC concept emerged from a grassroots effort by noted local historic, cultural, tourism and academic groups and individuals.   The concept was further developed as a catalyst project for USA Niagara's overall Development Strategy for downtown Niagara Falls.

The NEC Executive Board has concluded that in order to ensure long term success and vitality for the NEC project, additional work is necessary in the areas of market/financial analysis and thematic programming. After a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, BRC was chosen as the most qualified candidate. BRC, along with market analysis sub-contractor Economics Research Associates, will bring the NEC project to the next level, which includes establishing size, scope, cost, theme, and exhibit program for the facility. The initial feasibility study estimated the facility to be roughly 100,000 square feet at a total cost of $40 million.

USA Niagara has made a significant amount of progress in developing the NEC project for the past two and half years. During that time, Governor George Pataki committed $10M in capital funding, an initial feasibility study was conducted, an interim Executive Board of Directors was put together and the NEC was established as a non-profit, 501 C 3 Corporation. In 2003, Empire State Development Corporation Board of Directors' approved $100,000 for phase one development funding, which will go toward funding the BRC contract.

"The NEC will welcome and orientate visitors by showcasing to them the magnificent examples of the "Niagara Experience". The NEC will entertain, inspire, educate and serve to protect and interpret the rich diversity of heritage resources in the Niagara Region," said Merideth Andreucci, President of USA Niagara.

Members of the interim Executive Board of Directors for the NEC are Bonnie Foit Albert, Foit-Albert and Associates; Robert Shibley, Urban Design Project, University of Buffalo; Dr. Gary Praetzel, Niagara University; Paul Gromosiak, local historian and author; Robert Emerson, Old Fort Niagara; Paul Dyster, business owner and former Niagara Falls City Councilman; Steve Brown, Brown and Company, and Thomas Desantis, Senior Planner for the City of Niagara Falls.

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