Niagara University Launches Online Interactive Community Assessment and Mapping Tool

Innovative Tool Will Significantly Enhance Revitalization Efforts in Mid-City Area of Niagara Falls

Niagara University, in collaboration with local stakeholders, announced the release of the "Within Mid-City Niagara Falls Housing and Community Assessment and Public Web Mapping Tool," on Sept. 13, 2024, in the Russell Salvatore Dining Commons on the university's campus. This innovative tool, developed through a partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, LaBella Associates, and other key community organizations, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the mid-city area of Niagara Falls.

"At Niagara University, we seek to create systemic change to improve the lives of the people around us. At the core of who we are, and what we do, is our Catholic and Vincentian mission, which uses the tools of teaching, research, and service to seek out the causes of poverty and propose short- and long-term solutions that are efficacious, that are lasting, and that transform the lives of our citizens," said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. "This project's rich data has incredible implications for how we can improve the quality of life and create lasing change for the people who live in the City of Niagara Falls."

The assessment provides comprehensive data on housing market conditions, neighborhood characteristics, and community assets within the mid-city area. This information will be invaluable for guiding future development initiatives, policy-making, and community engagement efforts, and serve as a model for similar initiatives in other communities.

"The information in this report has already started to pay dividends," said Robert Restaino, mayor of the City of Niagara Falls. "We have used the information gathered from this data collection process to help us drive some initiatives along the Main Street corridor, as well as in other areas in the mid-city section of our community."

"This tool represents our commitment to data-driven community development," said Dr. Karen Kwandrans, associate vice president of strategic and external relations at Niagara University. "By making this information accessible to the public, we are not only fostering transparency, but also empowering residents, developers, businesses, and policymakers to make informed decisions that will contribute to the long-term revitalization of Niagara Falls. Our goal is to create a vibrant, equitable, and inclusive community that reflects the aspirations and needs of all its stakeholders."

Niagara University students played a key role in the collection, analysis, and visualization of the data under the mentorship of Dr. Yonghong Tong, associate professor in the university's computer and information sciences department. The students gained hands-on experience with innovative GIS technology through coursework, practical assignments, and field trips.

"This project not only enhances their academic journey, but also opens doors for their future careers," said Dr. Tong. "By participating in this initiative, students gained valuable skills in spatial data analysis, mapping, and geospatial problem-solving-competencies that are highly sought after across various industries-while learning how technology can address real-world challenges and how data can drive meaningful change."

Mary Minix, a sophomore studying international business management and minoring in data analytics, was one of the students who participated in this project.

"My class assisted LaBella GIS specialists with data collection for this study," she said. "By walking with them, I learned how data collection is processed, what factors and bias go into data, and saw actionable results of data. This experience inspired me to see how GIS and community service experience can be combined."

In addition to the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC), Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and other dedicated organizations also collaborated on this effort.

"At LISC New York, we're focused on working with partners to establish programs that support economic development designed to close the racial wealth gap, and we're so proud to support this initiative," said Tyra Johnson Hux, WNY operations director, LISC. "This tool will set a new course where housing and development decisions are made through data-driven processes, which is really important. It's very exciting to see Niagara University leading the way and engaging the students to help deliver this opportunity. It's critical that the rising generations carry the banner of equity forward."

"This partnership exemplifies the power of collective action in community redevelopment," said Kevin Forma, director of planning and environmental for the city. "The data we have gathered will help us direct resources effectively, ensuring that our efforts to stabilize and revitalize this community are thoughtful and productive."

The online interactive community mapping tool can be accessed at https://levesqueinstitute.niagara.edu/mapping-tool.

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