Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The owner of the fire damaged Cobblestone properties near South Park and Illinois Street downtown says he's in a holding pattern right now.
"I had a team in place to explore demolition, but now we're discussing our options," Darryl Carr told WBEN on Friday.
Carr says he remains optimistic about his plans to move forward with a 55-story complex, but added the only way that can happen is if the buildings come down and the property is cleaned up.
"Once we get past eminent domain, I can continue with submittals(sic). Some people say I didn't submit anything, but I did. Everything stopped when they said they're going to take the properties," added Carr.
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Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says of the six properties affected by the fire, the city is eyeing two of them, at 110 and 118 South Park, as salvageable.
"These are historic in nature. The oldest structures remaining in the city of Buffalo. We believe that stabilization of some of these properties can be accomplished," he said during an interview on WBEN.
The city is working with experts from the preservation community to develop a plan.
Brown cites Carr for allowing the properties to fall into neglect and disrepair with the goal of demolishing the structures.
No demolition can occur until an eminent domain hearing next week.
Carr says he's heard from a couple of hundred supporters in the last couple of days.
"Anyone who is not in the preservation arena has told me they want development in Buffalo, and they want things to move forward. They don't like the way the city is treating me," he said.
Does Carr think he is being treated fairly?
"How can you be treated fairly when they won't even talk to me?," he said.
He also finds it ironic that people who never put a dollar into the area are speaking out, adding "it's disheartening."