The USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) Board of Directors yesterday approved the selection of Uniland Development Company as the preferred developer of the former Rainbow Centre Mall. Uniland’s partners on the project are Delaware North and Cannon Design.

“USAN’s efforts to expand the quality lodging, entertainment, restaurant and meeting facilities downtown are coming together to support the tourism industry and make Niagara Falls stronger than it’s ever been,” USA Niagara Development Corporation Chairwoman Francine DelMonte.

The board authorized USAN to designate Uniland Development Company as the preferred developer to undertake an adaptive re-use of the former Rainbow Centre Mall. A two-step competitive selection process to select the preferred developer was conducted with the proposal of Uniland Development Company ultimately being determined as best able to meet the evaluation criteria as stated in the Request for Proposals.

Uniland will transform the former mall into the “Wonder Falls” Resort, an estimated $150 million new complex featuring a hotel tower with world-class amenities, restaurants and entertainment facilities including a waterpark, and various other retail and food and beverage venues.

With eight million tourists traveling to Niagara Falls each year, the resort is designed to encourage visitors to extend their stay in the City and extend the tourism period of Niagara Falls to a year-round destination.

The project will create more than 300 permanent jobs, as well as more than 1,500 jobs during construction. The level of public investment will be determined as part of a subsequent approval of the development agreement for the project.

“Uniland and its partners thank USA Niagara for having confidence in our team so that we now may work toward a developer agreement with the State of New York,” said Uniland Vice President Michael Montante. “There are several steps in this process to ensure the project is successful and contributes to the economic well-being of the Cataract City.”