Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "As the owner, I'm completely blindsided." Buffalo Grand Hotel owner Harry Stinson reacting to reports that his Church Street property downtown is being eyed for a new modernized prison in Erie County.
Stinson said he heard a rumor and has not been approached by anyone. He's more perplexed that a day after the story broke he still hasn't heard anything. "You would think as a courtesy they would give us a call," he said.
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Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz laid out plans for a new modern
prison that would consolidate the downtown Holding Center and the Correctional facility in Alden into one site during his state of the county address Thursday.
"Erie County's nearly 100 year old holding center is outdated, dangerous and expensive to staff and maintain. It is time to combine the two facilities into one modern center," said Poloncarz.
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The County Executive has allocated $2.5 million dollars for site acquisition, engineering and architectural work to plan and build a new modern holding center.
Is the hotel for sale? Stinson was asked. "No, not at all. I bought his hotel to run this hotel. The unexpected pandemic and unexpected fire certainly put some bumps in the road. But the plan hasn't changed."
Stinson bought the waterfront hotel in 2017.
In 2021, a fire broke out destroying the hotel's ballroom and kitchen. The hotel has been closed ever since.
"We are in the midst of a rather intense negotiation on an insurance settlement to get the hotel back in operation. This has gone on a lot longer than I expected but our claim has not been denied," added Stinson.
The initial damage estimate by fire officials was $3 million dollars. But Stinson said the cost is closer to $50 million. "There was heavy smoke and water damage as well as damage to the mechanical and electrical systems. It's certainly repairable but there's a lot of cost involved." He said the building is structurally sound.
He finished the interview with WBEN by saying, "if you hear anything, please let me know but there's no 'for sale' sign on the hotel and our intent is to get it back open this year."