Letter to President and CEO Michael Rapino

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer sent a personal letter to LiveNation President and CEO Michael Rapino, urging LiveNation to meet with Niagara Falls officials to explore hosting a world-class concert series in Niagara Falls. Schumer is seeking to build on the city's successful seven-event Hard Rock Café series, that drew approximately 60,000 spectators to Old Falls Street. In order to bring new economic activity and revenue to the City of Niagara Falls, Schumer is pushing to bring a marquee performer to the Falls, helping attract spectators from across New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario. Schumer is asking LiveNation to send representatives to meet with Mayor Paul Dyster's office and the USA Niagara Development Corporation to discuss bringing a concert series to the city in the near future.

"The Niagara Falls waterfront is a stunning and unique place to hold a concert series, and I can think of no better outfit than industry leader LiveNation. They could book marquee acts that would be a magnet to attract thousands of new visitors to Niagara Falls and would synergize with existing attractions like the Falls themselves, the casino and the emerging culinary institute," said Schumer. "LiveNation has been a success in cities across the country, leaving a good time and economic success everywhere it goes. Why not bring it to Niagara Falls? We have the hotels, casinos, and infrastructure that could make this series a wild success. Niagara Falls has long been one of the top tourist destinations in the entire country, and LiveNation could build upon that legacy and turn the Falls into a destination for the next generation. I strongly urge LiveNation to consider coming to Niagara Falls and bringing a headliner, much-needed revenue, and a fantastic concert series along with it."

"Bringing LiveNation to Niagara Falls would be an important part of reconnecting local residents and tourists alike with the waterfront," said Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. "I'm grateful for Senator Schumer's effort to bring LiveNation to Niagara Falls, and stand eager to help do everything I can to make the city a welcome home to this outstanding concert series."

Schumer writes, "I strongly believe that LiveNation has an historic opportunity to bring marquee entertainment to one of the nation and the world's great natural marvels. While the development history of Niagara Falls has a tortured legacy, the tide is clearly turning in favor of the tourist and the local economy as new development and planning means greater access to the recreational opportunities the City has to offer."

Schumer also notes that the LiveNation concert series on Old Falls Street could complement the casino-based tourism industry driven by the Seneca Niagara Casino. A LiveNation concert series could drive tens of thousands of patrons into the nearby casino, restaurants, and hotels throughout Niagara Falls. Creating demand for these services could be a critical step on the road toward Niagara Falls' development plans.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter appears below:

Dear President and CEO Michael Rapino,

I write to urge you to explore the feasibility of a first-ever LiveNation concert series in historic downtown Niagara Falls on Old Falls Street. As you may know, downtown Niagara Falls is undergoing a major transition -- new hotel construction, smart growth planning, and a commitment to enhancing access to the waterfront. Niagara Falls is a world-class attraction, drawing over 8 million visitors per year to the city's downtown. Since LiveNation is already actively involved in bringing major entertainment to the Seneca Niagara Casino, this opportunity could be a natural extension of your work in this region to date.

Just this past year, the City of Niagara Falls, in partnership with the Hard Rock Café, drew approximately 60,000 people to seven concerts on Old Falls Street. Though these artists were not marquee performers, the events still drew a significant number of people to Niagara Falls' downtown and helped generate new economic activity for local merchants. As Niagara Falls transitions from an old industrial economy to a tourism, service-based economy, a key ingredient for their success will be cultivating regular activity in the City's downtown. The success of the Hard Rock Café efforts is early evidence that Western New Yorkers desire to be connected to the waterfront for entertainment and recreation. We need to keep this momentum going and that's why I am asking for your direct assistance in this effort. Niagara Falls' urban planning legacy of building highways and industrial facilities that cut off the city from the waterfront is slowly coming to an end -- and I am committed to working with the City to improving and rehabilitating the infrastructure needed to make the American Niagara Falls the great destination it should be. With an unemployment rate over 8.5%, Niagara Falls residents are yearning for employment opportunities and this could be a recipe for success.

This idea is simple: Western New Yorkers have shown their love for your concerts - from Kid Rock to Matchbox Twenty - and what better way to watch a grand musical performance than in front of New York's greatest natural wonder.

A LiveNation concert series on Old Fall Street could also be a complement to the casino-based tourism industry available in Niagara Falls through the Seneca Niagara Casino. The tens of thousands of visitors to the casino would have an additional world-class entertainment option on the waterfront, which could be a boon not only to the casino but could generate long-term demand for the hospitality industry and aid the City's efforts in bringing more hotel, retail and real estate development downtown. The City and the USA Niagara Development Corporation are committed to the long-term redevelopment of the City's downtown and are ready and able to work with you on the preliminary assessments you require in choosing new venues.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that LiveNation has an historic opportunity to bring marquee entertainment to one of the nation and the world's great natural marvels. While the development history of Niagara Falls has a tortured legacy, the tide is clearly turning in favor of the tourist and the local economy as new development and planning means greater access to the recreational opportunities the City has to offer. I implore you to be a part of this new history of Niagara Falls and work with us to make the next great LiveNation concert series at America's great Niagara Falls.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

U.S. Senator

Source