Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As the long-vacant Buffalo Grand Hotel sits vacant only one thing has emerged: Frustration.
The 10-story Church Street building has been dark since March 2020 when it shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic and yet to reopen, despite broken promises by owner, Canadian investor Harry Stinson.
Reviving the Buffalo Grand is one of the top economic development priorities downtown business and hospitality industry leaders say.
Not only is a key gateway into Buffalo, it could help fill an immediate need for more downtown hotel rooms.
"We all want something to happen there," said Joel Feroleto, Buffalo Common Council president.
A December 2021 fire severely damaged portions of the building and Stinson spent more than three years fighting with insurance companies for a settlement fee.
Since then, there has been nothing but promises from Stinson and threats of legal action from various city administrations.
"It is frustrating to me, but also to so many others in Buffalo," said Chris Scanlon, South District councilman and former interim mayor.
Scanlon, in 2025, initiated abandonment proceedings to acquire the hotel but that legal action - to date - has not be followed by by Mayor Sean Ryan and his administration.
Ryan, when he took office in January, gave Stinson 90 days to come up with a viable plan for the 486-room hotel.
Stinson, at the eleventh hour said he had a Florida--based investor willing to help revive the hotel but just a few days later, the investor backed out of the deal.
Talks between city officials and Stinson continue but in July, Stinson was fined $175,000 for various building code violations.
For now, the stalemate continues.
Deputy Mayor Thomas Baines did not respond to repeated calls regarding the hotel.
Stinson also declined to respond..
As for members of the Common Council, their frustration continues.
"It is just sitting there and it could be used for some good purposes," said Ellicott District Councilwoman and Council Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope.
Visit Buffalo and others in the local hospitality industry say restoring the 486 hotel rooms could be a major boost when it comes to landing more conventions, meetings and special events.
"We know we need between 400 rooms and 500 rooms right now," Scanlon said.
Scanlon said he will be asking Ryan and Baines for an update and why legal proceedings aren't advancing.
"There is such an obvious need to get this building back on line," Scanlon said.
Frustration mounts as the hotel sits empty
Frustration mounts as the hotel sits empty
