Feds reject application for Center Court project
By Mark Scheer
Wednesday, June 09, 2026

A federal agency has denied funding for the reconstruction of Center Court, leaving the $60 million project on hold for now.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rejected a request from the Niagara Falls Housing Authority for $20 million to support the demolition of 134 existing units at the North End public housing development and build 282 new ones in their place.

Officials from the authority viewed HUD’s decision as a temporary setback Tuesday, saying they plan to submit another application for funding later this year.

“The project is not lost because the Niagara Falls Housing Authority still has a commitment to the community and still has a commitment to Center Court,” said Stephanie Cowart, the authority’s executive director.

HUD left the housing authority off its list of recipients for funding through the 2003 Hope VI program, a federal funding initiative that will provide $487 million to affordable housing projects throughout the country this year.

Cowart said her agency has not yet received any official word from HUD as to why its application was rejected.

William Paterson, chairman of the authority’s board of commissioners, said he felt the agency’s application was a strong one.

“We certainly did all we could,” he said. “It wasn’t for lack of effort.”

Cowart said she plans to meet soon with HUD officials in Washington, D.C. to discuss the authority’s application and ways to strengthen it in time for the next round of funding. HUD is expected to announce the availability of 2004 Hope VI dollars later this year.

“Whatever it is they say we are in need of, that’s what we’re going to give,” she said.

The housing authority has secured $6.5 million for the project from area community organizations and social service providers. The agency also has received $1 million from the city’s share of revenue from Seneca Niagara Casino. Under a spending plan approved earlier this year by the city’s casino cash commission, the authority is entitled to a total of $3 million in casino funds, with another $1 million to be allocated next year and the final million to be released in 2006.
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