The City is starting the process of acquiring properties at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue from long-time owner Darryl Carr. It had better hurry. Last week’s storm took its toll on the backside of the buildings where significant portions have collapsed. The inept City has been pushing (and begging) owner Carr to repair the properties for more than a decade. Despite these efforts, the buildings have continued to deteriorate causing health, welfare and safety issues for the area residents and visitors.
In September, Mayor Byron W. Brown invoked eminent domain powers in an effort to obtain and save the two historic properties. Carr reportedly wants the buildings demolished to construct a high-rise hotel on the site. Many people believe he is only interested in adding parking to the already parking-saturated district. Carr has continuously snubbed his nose at the City, the public, and housing court Judge Patrick Carney.
The properties are the most iconic and most historically significant structures remaining in the Cobblestone Historic District which was established in 1993 by the Buffalo Preservation Board and certified by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the federal standards for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. 110 South Park originally housed Muggeridge’s Steam Bakery which made hardtack for the Union army during the civil war. As late as the mid-nineties, 118 South Park was home to Rudnicki’s blacksmith shop.
The Common Council Committee on Community Development is scheduled to set a hearing for the eminent domain action at its meeting tomorrow. Don’t delay.
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