Buffalo Common Council approves "emergency stabilization" of buildings in Cobblestone District

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Buffalo Common Council voted 8-1 Tuesday to approve funds for emergency controlled demolition and stabilization efforts for 110-118 South Park Avenue, a property in Buffalo's Cobblestone District that caught fire back in June and caused an estimated $1.1 million in damage.

The estimated total cost of the demolition and stabilization efforts is $395,000, the council said in a news release, which will aim to "preserve public safety" and "address longstanding issues" with the property.

The building’s owner, Darryl Carr, had been fighting the city in an eminent domain case. Carr wanted to redevelop the space while the city wanted to save it.

Parts of the buildings started to collapse in recent months, the council said, and a judge sided with the city in August to move forward with its eminent domain. Carr told WIVB News 4 last month he was going to appeal the decision.

According to the council, the "struggle" between the city and Carr dates back to "at least" 2019. They said the buildings have been "plagued by neglect" and that Carr failed to maintain the properties.

"The buildings at 110-118 South Park Avenue have been a source of concern for several years, marked by ongoing legal battles and extensive neglect by the property owner," the council said. "Despite numerous attempts by the City of Buffalo to enforce maintenance and repairs, the situation has deteriorated to the point where emergency intervention is necessary."

Carr told News 4 Tuesday that the selection of a contractor for demolition and stabilization is "merely a bandaid" on the project.

"A huge waste of taxpayers money when we put forth a demolition plan and are currently in and completely open to discussions with the city while still pursuing all of our legal remedies," he said.

Local preservationists have been fighting to save the buildings, which have been around since before the Civil War, for 15 years. The city wants to save the property, but the council said "continued inaction" by Carr "forced the city's hand," which led to its decision of demolition.

Nowakowski said the city needs to preserve its historic buildings.

"What one person told me was very poignant and strong, 'Well what's a historic district if there are no historic structures within that district?' and that's the fight we have on our hands here," he said.

Carr told News 4 in June that he purchased the buildings “demolition ready” and planned to develop something new.

In late June, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was called in to investigate the cause of the fire at the request of the Buffalo Fire Department. Erie County Judge Sheila DiTullio had reversed the decision on the same day it caught fire after a previous order to demolish the building.

At the time, Brown said they had concerns, calling the fire suspicious.

There is currently no timeline on when the city will begin the stabilization efforts.