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Last month a it was announced that Chinese investors were planning a $1 Billion “city within a city” development at the site of Thundering Waters golf course...

Bullet New Niagara: Investors planning 'city within a city'

By Kris Dube | October 28, 2015

Mayor Jim Diodati says a $1-billion project being undertaken in Niagara Falls by Chinese investors will be like a “city within a city.”

At Tuesday's council meeting, Diodati reminded councillors, staff and members of the audience about an upcoming trip he is making to China next week.

Premier Kathleen Wynne will also be in the country on other business but will join Diodati and two city staff members in Beijing for what he is touting as a major announcement.

At least two of Wynne's provincial cabinet ministers are also expected to be in attendance, according to the mayor.

It is expected that a $100-million commitment will be made by the Chinese government for a project to be built on lands already purchased in Niagara Falls – near Thundering Waters Golf Course.

Diodati said he and other officials are making the trip to support the investment team that has purchased the site.

“They are Niagara Falls taxpayers that we're representing in China – to bring back $100 million in seed money that will be a part of a $1-billion development,” Diodati said in an interview with Bullet News on Wednesday evening.

In September, an open house was held by the city and the project, part of an ongoing secondary plan for the area, was the focal point of the meeting.

Diodati said the project will be a “multipurpose” development with residential, tourism, entertainment and transit components attached to it.

The mayor also said he has been told this is one of the biggest investments outside of China for this type of development.

Five years ago, Diodati visited China to attract business. He said the conversations started with Chinese investors and government officials back then are starting to pay off.

“It has taken several years of ongoing trust and developing relations,” said Diodati.

Several ambassadors to China and other top officials have made visits to Niagara Falls, a place Diodati says is important to the Asian community.

“It's a place that's at the top of their agenda,” said Diodati.

And today it was announced that the Chinese government are contributing $100 million to the development...

Bullet News Niagara: Niagara Falls Mayor calls trip to China a 'huge success'


Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Mr. Yuan from CITIC Group, Xincheng Real Estate as well as CAO
Ken Todd and Director of Business Development Serge Felicetti.

By Kris Dube | November 13, 2015

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati says his recent trip to China was a “huge success.”

In an email to Bullet News, the mayor confirmed that the real estate arm of the Chinese government has announced it will be a shareholder in a $1-billion development at the site of Thundering Waters golf course.

Diodati spoke publicly about the development two weeks ago as he prepared for the trip, which he was joined on by the city's chief administrative officer Ken Todd and Serge Felicetti, the municipality's director of business development.

“The trip was a huge success, with multiple meetings with many potential investors and businesses that are looking to establish a presence in Ontario, using Niagara as their base,” said Diodati.

The investors are in the midst of a secondary planning process, anticipated to be completed by the end of 2016.

Diodati said this will “help fine-tune the final elements of the components of the land use plan.”

The mayor also pointed out that Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has at the announcement.

The development, which Diodati previously described to Bullet News as a “city within a city,” will include commercial, business and residential components.

“It was pretty obvious to us that the Chinese people really love Niagara Falls and acknowledged that we are a global brand,” said Diodati.

“We were well received,” he added.

Five years ago, Diodati visited China to attract business. He said the conversations started with Chinese investors and government officials back then are starting to pay off.

“It has taken several years of ongoing trust and developing relations,” he said in late October.

The commitment made by the Chinese government is part of a 'global investment strategy' to spend $2-billion abroad, according to Diodati.

Part of this plan, Chinese officials will spend $100 million on the Niagara Falls project.