Gateway Park

"Webster Street becoming a cultural center" by Tonawanda News

We’re not sure which is the more appealing sound — the construction when the Suzuki Strings building on North Tonawanda’s Webster Street was renovated or the music created by the students since the construction ended.

With the Gateway Harbor project bringing much-needed attention to the Tonawandas, we’re ecstatic the school is starting to get its roots into the downtown area.

On today’s front page, Michele Reaves highlights the school’s rise to success and the woman whose passion helped make the school a reality.

A view of Gateway Harbor during the summer months, North Tonawanda at left, Tonawanda at right, the Cantilever Railroad Bridge in the distance.

And the project might just be one piece in an important puzzle. With art studios, craft shops and, of course, the historic Riviera Theatre, is it really that far-fetched to think of the Tonawandas as a cultural center?

With cheap storefronts and four consecutive months of large crowds, we think we’re seeing an evolution by the canal that could totally revamp the area.

Still, pieces need to fall into place. For example, the area needs a major destination restaurant, something that will bring folks from outside the community into the canal region.

And while we’re at it, why not some upscale apartments?

Gateway Place — the former Packet Inn —could be a perfect place to entice younger people with disposable cash to stay in North Tonawanda. With more and more activities being added to the area, the center already has some shops, bars and eateries within walking distance.

Gateway Harbor during Canal Fest of the Tonawandas .

Although the complex, owned by Kenmore Development, currently has studio apartments, we’d be willing to bet bigger apartments would be a big hit, something on the scale of the Raintree Island developments in the Town of Tonawanda.

Hopefully, with additions like Suzuki Strings, demand will force positive changes.

Credit: Tonawanda News - Thursday, October 16, 2003