City can assume ownership of Cobblestone District buildings, Scanlon says

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The city of Buffalo can now assume ownership of the buildings in the Cobblestone District, located at 110-118 South Park, after a judge denied the owner’s motion for leave in an eminent domain case, acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon announced Tuesday.

The ruling follows a decade-long legal battle between the city and owner Darryl Carr for eminent domain. Carr wanted to redevelop the properties to make a skyscraper with rental units called the “Unity Tower,” while the city wanted to preserve it.

Scanlon said the legal proceedings with Carr also concerned neglect of the building, which he said was worsened by a large fire that broke out last June, causing an estimated $1.1 million in damage.

Buffalo’s Commissioner of Permit & Inspection Services Cathy Amdur said Tuesday the cause of the fire is undetermined and that the investigation is now completed. At the time, former Mayor Byron Brown called the fire suspicious.

In terms of next steps, Scanlon said the city will order a new appraisal to determine the property’s current market value.

“Eventually the city will be issuing solicitation to find a responsible, future property owner who will undertake its revitalization with the ultimate goal to transfer the property from the city to a new, responsible owner as quickly as possible allowing for further stabilization, preservation and eventual reuse of the buildings,” he said.

Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski said preservation of the buildings, which have been around since before the Civil War, is critical. The council approved emergency stabilization of the buildings last September, which Amdur said has held up over the harsh winter months.

Nowakowski also cited historic districts being able to receive tax credits for redevelopment as a way of restoring the community.

“These were built by Buffalonians that helped build this city,” he said. “It’s important that we protect the character of our neighborhoods, the character of our city, and to not allow slumlords to evade the courts for years and to allow their buildings to be in disrepair, to allow them to fall down on everybody else’s head. It’s irresponsible, it’s ridiculous and we finally are granted the relief from courts to pursue and to move forward to brighter days in the Cobblestone Historic District.”

Scanlon said the city will move quickly to acquire ownership of the buildings. The next step in the eminent domain process is to file in the New York State Supreme Court.

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