Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The City of Buffalo has granted the owner of the Great Northern grain elevator a permit for emergency demolition. The elevator on Ganson Street was heavily damaged in last weekend's wind storm.
Mayor Byron Brown tells WBEN the city fire department and permits department conducted a drone inspection of the damage earlier this week and found the structure to be an "immediate danger to the public."
Brown has contacted the structure's owner, ADM, to ask if they are willing to consider preserving all or part of the structure.
"They were receptive," Brown told WBEN following the permit issuance. "They did not give me an immediate answer."
Mayor Brown said he has intervened following the issuance of an emergency demolition permit previously with some success. The most recent example, says the mayor, is White's Livery on the city's west side where demolition had been ordered prior to his intervention and now the property is continuing to operate.
Brown point out ADM has no obligation to preserve any portion of the property and currently has the right to demolish the building if it chooses. "They have the ability to move forward an emergency demolition."
Mayor Brown tells WBEN the demolition of a structure of the size of the elevator could take up to six months and during that time efforts for preservation could still be ongoing.
Since word of the possible demolition percolated, preservationists have fought the idea and a local union has stepped forward with interest in buying the structure.
"I'm a little saddened and disappointed by the decision," said Anthony Barker of the millers union Local 36G. "I'm a little bit at a loss for words......I'm not sure there's anything else we can do."
Barker says in the short time since the union announced it's interest in gaining control of the property, community support has been overwhelming.
Like Mayor Brown, Local 36G plans to reach out to ADM to discuss their plans. "We might still have some time," said Barker.
The Campaign for a Greater Buffalo has been opposed to demolition of the structure and is considering legal action following the granting of the permit.
WBEN has reached out to ADM for their response to the permit decision and has not yet heard back.
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