Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Bernice Radle, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, called Sunday's devastating fire at Mulligan's Brick Bar in the Allentown neighborhood "a tragedy."
The building dates back to 1897, and has been a gathering place since shortly after Prohibition.
While Buffalo's Fire Commissioner discussed, at least, a partial demolition of the building along Allen Street, Radle told WBEN that efforts are underway to retain as much of the structure as possible.
"It's a historic building in a national historic district. It's not easy to get that designation," she said on Monday.
With it's next door neighbor, The Old Pink, torn down from an arson nearly seven months ago, the entire block is gone.
"This is the only remaining façade," explained Radle. "If we can save it, it's very important."
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Structural engineers have been on site to determine the integrity of the structure.
"They gave options to stabilize it, and to retain the façade. Carmina Woods also looked at it, not on site, but they said it could be saved. We worked with them on the Cobblestone Buildings after that owner said they couldn't be saved. They've been stabilized. So the experts that work in preservation are saying that it can be done. It's just going to take some love and dedication and attention from the City of Buffalo," Radle added.
The line of communication between preservationists and the City of Buffalo on the Brick Bar is wide-open, something Radle called "a breath of fresh air."
Is there much of a difference between saving the façade, versus recreating it with a new structure?
"Anytime we recreate things, it's not done as well, the materials are not as strong," Radle said. "But the biggest argument is, if the façade is retained, the owners can tap into historic tax credits and get 40%-to-50% of the rebuilding paid for."
She calld that a big incentive with construction costs so high today.