Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's only an idea, as of right now.
It hinges, though, on whether or not the Town of Tonawanda gets a waterfront park.
Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger tells WBEN's Brian Mazurowski the fiscal stresses on municipal governments make it imperative that leaders
look for other ways to raise revenue, other than putting it on the backs of
existing taxpayers.
"Nobody likes double digit tax increases, as we found out recently in one of our townships," he said.
Emminger points to the recreation project at Paddock Park as one of the ways the town is able to do that.
"We got a $4 million naming rights deal from Paddock Chevrolet. Without that commitment, that project would be very difficult to do," he said.
Noting the town is 99% built up, residentially, he said they are looking at another revenue source.
"This is just an idea, probably years away from fruition, if it ever comes to fruition. We're exploring a 12-hole golf course [at Brighton], something that golf legend Jack Nicklaus promotes."
The town would shrink the existing golf course to allow for construction of more single family homes in the town.
Emminger cited Nicklaus as saying that golf is a dying sport. Dying, because he said people don't have the time to play 18 holes.
"I'm a golfer", Emminger admitted. "I understand the angst of people at Brighton Golf Course." But he said the best thing that has happened is that the public is engaged.
"The town board could have kept this quiet for the next two years," he said. "But we don't operate like that. We like to be out in the open and be as transparent as we can."
The whole plan hinges on whether the town can create new parkland on the former Cherry Farm landfill site, comprised of 55 acres, on River Road.
Emminger admits there are a lot of hurdles. It would require permission from New York State Parks and Recreation and the federal government to swap
parkland at the waterfront for six holes at Brighton Park.
"It would afford us the opportunity to grow our tax base. We're always looking at ideas," he added.
