Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - While the City of Buffalo determines the fate of the heavily wind-damaged Great Northern grain elevator on Ganson Street in Buffalo, a local union is stepping forward and expressing interest in purchasing the property.
The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers Local 36G is announcing their interest in determining the feasibility of purchasing the elevator and re-purposing it as a union hall to serve their members as well as a public museum space.
"I've been a member of the union for almost 20 years now, and worked at ADM for 18 of those years right next door to the grain elevator," said Anthony Barker, President of Local 36G, representing workers at ADM, who currently owns the structure. "I recently became president of the union this year and one of our ideas was to get a union hall of our own. Instead of renting, we want to buy something."
Barker tells WBEN, after the unfortunate collapse of the wall, he talked with his executive board about the possibility of purchasing the building and revitalizing it.
“This building represents a profound part of Buffalo’s place as center of grain milling, and we would love to be part of bringing it back to life for a new use to serve Buffalo’s future,” said Barker. “We wouldn’t be able to do it on our own, but with the right community support, we think we can be part of the solution for saving this part of Buffalo’s history for future generations.”
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The building is large, roughly 38-thousand square feet. Barker said it's much more space than they would need, but they would be open to other union related businesses moving in. There is also interest is using part of the building for a grain elevator museum.
Does the union have the financial wherewithal to buy and repair the grain elevator?
"The union is financially stable and there are tax incentives and grants available," says Barker. He also said they're considering a fundraising effort.
"It's a giant project. It needs a whole remodel. But there's a lot of interest. My email has been flooded with interest from inside and outside the community."
In addition to last week's wind damage, the giant elevator has suffered damages from decades of neglect and ADM has filed a permit with the city to demolish the structure. Preservationists have spoken up saying the historic structure must be saved as a symbol of Buffalo's industrial past.
“Over the last two decades, preservationists have proven their case that saving rather than demolishing buildings is profoundly good for our community,” stated Jessie Fisher, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara. “Our historic structures have resulted in international press coverage, hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism revenues, and over a billion dollars in private investment.
Preservationists are urging the city to order ADM to make structural repairs to ensure the safety of the building and the people around it. The Great Northern has been a local landmark under Section 337 of the City Charter since 1990 and has been determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins is working to save the structure as well, saying he would work with ADM and the city to secure funds to assist in the preservation of the structure.