BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - After the last tenant was evicted from Shoreline Apartments nearly two years ago, there are finally plans for the dilapidated complex to be demolished in the coming weeks.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Buffalo Common Councilman Mitch Nowakowski both said the building will be demolished in a few weeks, though no concrete date has been announced.
"I know it's going to take a few months to take them down with construction starting in the spring," Nowakowski said.
JANUARY 2018: Judge evicts final Shoreline Apartments tenant
Shoreline Apartments served as subsidized housing for years until a judge ruled in 2018 to evict its final tenant. The property remains standing, though squatters have still entered the complex for various reasons. A fire broke out at the site on Wednesday afternoon that is believed to have been started by someone there.
"The city has been pushing the owner to move forward with the demolition," Brown said.
Brown said the fire didn't expedite demolition of the building.
In its place will be affordable housing. Brown said there's a need for cheaper housing in Downtown Buffalo, something Nowakowski echoed.