Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A decision on the future of the Great Northern Grain Elevator appears to be heading back to court.
Mediation, as ordered by a court earlier this week, has concluded, according to one person hoping to preserve the elevator. The Campaign for Greater Buffalo, ADM and the City of Buffalo finished mediation Tuesday, as ordered by Judge Emilio Colaiacovo.
The campaign's Tim Tielman says the sides completed the mediation process. "The judge's instructions were if there were no resolution to refer it back to him," says Tielman, who says that was done Tuesday. He says he could not share what was discussed, but believes all sides acted in good faith, but referred the matter to Colaiacovo.
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TIelman says he's not sure whether the judge will seek further arguments in court. "He's free to suggest that or he could ask for more information by mail before he renders his decision. As of right now, there's no indication he will call us back into court," says Tielman.
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The Campaign also released renderings of what the Great Northern could look like if repaired and restored. "The Great Northern has a huge ground floor—almost an acre—on the City Ship Canal that could conceivably house dozens of small enterprises and offices," said Campaign president and architect Paul McDonnell. "Not only is there a 400-foot wharf on the canal, there is also a filled-in canal boat slip that we'd like to see re-watered. Add that to the 4-story workhouse at the top, and you can begin to imagine the potential. We'd definitely like to see the word "BUFFALO" on it in letters three stories high. That would be the city's calling card."
After a windstorm December 11 damaged the grain elevator, the city of Buffalo granted owner ADM an emergency demolition permit, asking ADM to consider preserving as much as possible.