Developer doesn’t think Cobblestone sites are worth saving

Buffalo, New York (WBEN) – The fight for the future of historic properties in Buffalo’s Cobblestone neighborhood continues days after a fire gutted much of the brick structure at the corner of Illinois Street and South Park Avenue.

In an interview with WBEN last Friday, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said that of the six properties affected by last Tuesday’s fire, the city was considering stabilizing 110 and 118 South Park Avenue, which are among the oldest remaining structures in Buffalo, dating back to the Civil War.

Meanwhile, property owner Darryl Carr told WBEN Friday that he remains optimistic about his plans to build a 55-story complex in the Cobblestone District. However, he says the only way to accomplish that is for the buildings to be demolished and the property cleaned up.

Local developer Gerry Buchheit has followed the battle between the city of Buffalo and Carr from afar and is aware of Carr’s plans with that property in the Cobblestone District.

Buchheit had the opportunity to observe the site with WBEN last week and noticed the mess the fire left in its wake.

“Trying to protect it and bring it back to its original state is going to be impossible, from what I can see. Trying to restore that is just crazy,” Buchheit said.

Buchheit adds that while he was observing the site before our interview, he saw a pile of bricks falling from the structure.

“There are limits, how far can you go? It’s like the (Great Northern grain elevator) that they were trying to preserve and save. As a developer, you have to be able to make money ‘money, and you have to do it.’ it’s worth it because it’s not built in a state or in a form where there are crutches and you’re still fighting to try to break even,” Buchheit said. “I don’t don’t really think the integrity of what’s left is worth saving. Sometimes you just have to let it go.”

A few years ago, Buchheit was working on the development of the Queen City Landing project, which would construct a 20-story building along Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. However, he ran into a roadblock similar to Carr’s while attempting to demolish the old Frieza Queen building on his property.

“We encountered some problems with the Common Council who ultimately were not in favor of this proposal, even though they said they would do it sooner. Additionally, we fought against the preservationists for the demolition of the site Frieza Queen and we actually won the battle, and it cost a lot of money to get there,” Buchheit recalls. “But saving this dilapidated building was just a ridiculous idea. We had to fight the preservationists for it, and why they wanted to save such a building is beyond me. But it’s broken down and it looks better now than ever before.”

For years, Carr has been working to advance a massive project to bring a 55-story building called “Unity Tower” to the Cobblestone neighborhood. He believes such a project will bring the city of Buffalo into the 21st century.

While many felt the project was not worthwhile or could not realistically work, Buchheit believes the Cobblestone District would be a very good location for a project of this magnitude.

“I don’t know the developer’s means, to be honest with you. It seems like a pipe dream, but it’s an ideal location for a 55-story building, if it’s feasible,” he said.

Buchheit adds that if a brand new structure were built on site and the rest of the Cobblestone District followed suit by continuing development, it would be a great place to meet and tour the city of Buffalo.

“We’re on the water, the terminal (DL&W Terminal) that we’re talking about improving is right next door. The Inner Harbor is right here, that would be a great idea. But it costs a lot of money to to do such a thing. You have to work with the contractors and the developers, and I don’t feel like they are, at this point, to make that happen,” Buchheit said.

In the development work Buchheit has done locally and across the country, he has noticed a big difference between a city like Buffalo and others he has worked in over the years.

“I see a lot of very progressive cities going in a positive direction. I love Buffalo, but I don’t see those good things happening here. You just can’t keep preserving old buildings. You have to move on You “We need to be progressive and start doing new things, and that’s not the case here,” Buchheit said. “People who prevent this kind of thing are stupid, in my opinion, because Buffalo doesn’t. will never get better if you don’t do it this way. You don’t see cranes everywhere like you do in so many others. in other cities. This is the No. 1 factor, when you see cranes everywhere. We only see them in the new stadium, Highmark Stadium (in Orchard Park). I wish this would happen in Buffalo, but it doesn’t seem like the people are there. I have a real interest in making this a progressive city and moving forward. »

Buchheit adds that people who continue to fight and push back on any potential development in Buffalo, no matter how old or new a property is, only scare off interested developers.

“What people need to understand, especially politicians, is that the demographics of Western New York and Buffalo are not those of other places. The average income is not as high as other regions, so you have to be creative and you have to help developers by doing such a thing, it’s really important.