Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Discussions and inspections stepped up Tuesday in advance of the planned demolition of Mulligan's Brick Bar, now set for Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon paused the demolition for 24 hours to allow preservationists to explore stabilization options.
Tim Tielman, a Board Member with the Campaign for Greater Buffalo and Principal at Central Place Urban Designers, told WBEN there is precedent for such an effort.
"A lot of buildings have been successfully saved. I'm thinking about the White Livery Stable on Jersey Street. The roof fell in and the walls were saved. That has been transformed into much needed apartments," said Tielman.
Also, when Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield built its corporate headquarters on West Genesee Street downtown in 2005, it occupied the longtime home of Buffalo Gasworks Company. Architects incorporated the 1848 façade into the design of that new building.
Tielman said the walls and the façade of an historic building add value to properties. Old buildings provide people with a tangible connection to historical events.
He is optimistic, not just for saving the façade, but for saving other parts of the burned out building on Allen Street.
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Is 24 hours enough time to make that determination on whether or not it can be saved?
"I don't know," answered Tielman. "But this is something that the city has to look at very closely."
He considers the challenge an opportunity.
"A lot of people don't know that The Old Pink that burned last summer, as well as Mullligan's, are properties owned by the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency. That's been the case for over 50 years. This is now an opportunity for our Mayor and Council members to be more directly involved in turning
around strategic blocks in Buffalo."
Tielman believes Allentown needs housing and small retail spaces.
"This is a great opportunity for the city to look into creating, maybe with a state agency, some housing and retail." Adding, "the private market has not been able to do that."