Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - For the first time in the longest of periods of time, Darryl Carr is realistically optimistic about the future of his fire-ravaged and heavily damaged South Park Avenue cluster of pre-Civil War era buildings.
Carr is hoping to meet with Mayor Sean Ryan and his development team, led by Deputy Mayor Thomas Baines, about the long-stalled project.
"I'm hoping we can work things out," Carr said.
However, Ryan is taking a more cautious approach.
"Right now, I need to see a good plan," Ryan said.
It has been nearly two years since a fire caused more than $1.1 million in damages to the Cobblestone District buildings.
And the fire has re-ignited (no pun intended) a debate in downtown circles about the fate of the buildings.
Preservationists - and others - say the collection of buildings can be saved and revived, while Carr thinks the damage runs too deep and the structures must be razed.
Buffalo refuses to issue a demolition order and Carr has challenged that ruling, even getting the backing - this past fall - from the Appellate Division.
Buffalo has appealed the decision, and the legal stalemate continues to stall the project.
"All I want to do is make things better," Carr said.
Carr is proposing Unity Tower - a residential anchored project for the site - but to move forward he needs to demolish the buildings.
"It is a long-term project," Carr said.
Located adjacent to KeyBank Center and the DL&W Terminal only adds to the angst and concerns about the future of the buildings.
"If developers aren't hitting their goals, then maybe we should look at a different road," Ryan said.
Ryan said the buildings are one of a trio of derelict downtown buildings that need to be addressed and addressed soon.
One - the long vacant Buffalo Grand Hotel - is under a 90-day period where owner Harry Stinson has to either secure financing needed to renovate and reopen the 486-room hotel or the city will take over ownership and issue and RFP to the development community.
The other is the vacant former AM&A's department store building that is embroiled in a series of legal challenges including attempting to determine who actually owns the 10-story Main Street building.
Ryan said he wants answers on all three buildings this year.
"Ignoring things doesn't make them go away," Ryan said.
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