Buildings Falling Throughout Downtown
50 High Street is not the only building coming down. The former AM&As warehouses are also crumbling, albeit at a much slower pace. Downtown regulars were alarmed to see barricades go up at Washington and Eagle streets this week. Rightfully so. Portions of the building’s façade are falling onto the sidewalk.
According to today’s Buffalo News, the City has cited the property owner for a laundry list of violations including crumbling masonry and broken windows. A portion of East Eagle Street has been closed out of fear that the façade could fall.
Workers were on site Friday securing the building by removing loose terra cotta tile and bricks.
New Horizons Acquisitions will be arraigned in Housing Court on June 25th for the violations. Meanwhile the owner has the properties up for sale with a $3.99 million asking price. Rumors of an emergency demolition orders appear to be unfounded. For now.
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hashma
Well, while it is a shame that the building is falling apart, at least the city is taking notice, unlike the Mascellio Adm. Hopefully, whoever purchases the property can do one of two things; renovate the structures or, more likely, propose a demolition and start construction on a new tower. We'll have to wait and see!
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joey
Too bad we cant get Masiello and Ray McGurn to pull guard duty alongside this building... a LITTLE POETIC JUSTICE FOR 2 major players of why this building is status quo!!
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sbrof
so here is a question? What has the brown admin done differently? The only thing that is happening is he got wrote up for housing court, something that happens all the time under every mayor. The truth is they will go through court, pay their 2500 fine and sit on the property for another year until they go through this cycle again. Brown doesn't seem to have t done anything differently, yet...
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kelly
Hopefully this will come to a head if only because we've now had to close off a public sidewalk. That kind of thing isn't easily ignored. (also, didn't they just buy this building recently and then decide to turn around and sell it?)
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hashma
You do bring up an interesting point sbrof. I have to admit that Brown has yet to change in this instance, but, hopefully we will find changes once more action is taken. Only time will tell, I guess.
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RonR
While I normally like smaller government, difficult times call for difficult measures.
A crazy idea I would like to see the city acquire any and all properties that are blatant code violators. Sell these properties to investors for $1.00 and 10 year tax break, provided they redevelop the building within 24 months. Or something like this.
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gaustad
RonR - good idea - city hall needs to get a little more creative -
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MRodgers
RonR, I agree! there are many who could do so much with a break. Utilizing the new "Revolver" loan for rehab through the Community Preservation Corporation could provide the platform of ability and finance for a "crazy idea" like yours.
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Bizzles
its called eminent domain and in other cities it is acually used
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