Ortt, Senate Pass Bill to Rename Robert Moses Parkway in Niagara County

ALBANY – Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) and his Senate colleagues today passed a bill (S6718) to rename the Robert Moses Parkway in western Niagara County as the Niagara Scenic Parkway. Under this bill, the entire stretch of the 18.42 mile highway – running from Niagara Falls to Youngstown – would be changed to the newly designated name.

“Community members overwhelmingly supported changing the parkway’s name to something more advantageous to tourists,” said Senator Ortt. “The name Niagara Scenic Parkway is more appealing and reflects the positive transformation the City of Niagara Falls is undergoing with the removal of the north section of the parkway. Once the project is completed, there will be more green space, access to the waterfront will be expanded and enhanced, and tourists will have more to do on the Niagara River gorge.” 

The legislation follows a resolution approved unanimously by the Niagara County Legislature on March 1 recommending the state rename the Robert Moses Parkway. The resolution stated in part, “the name Robert Moses means little to tourists and is no longer descriptive of today’s purpose of informing visitors this roadway will take you to the prime viewing areas.” The initial idea was prompted by Lewiston resident Mamie Simonson several months ago, whose Whirlpool Street home in Niagara Falls was demolished in 1959 in order to build the Robert Moses Parkway. 

The state highway was originally known as the Niagara Parkway. In the 1960s, it was changed to the Robert Moses State Parkway after public works developer Robert Moses.    

State approval is required to officially change the name of a state highway.    

The bill now moves to the Assembly.