Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Some Cobblestone District business owners and operators are fed up with the lack of progress for the old and historic properties at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue, and hope for preservation.
"We just want to see something done, it's time to put this to bed," says Josh Holtzman, owner and operator of Buffalo Iron Works.
"We want to see some sort of progression, some sort of growth. For so many years, we felt like we are one of the only things that are on the street. We're putting personal time, money, sweat, blood, tears, all of it into that neighborhood, and we just want to see something positive come out of it. And unfortunately, the owner of those buildings, apparently feels the complete opposite."
Contention exacerbated between Cobblestone property owner Darryl Carr and Buffalo elected officials as a two-alarm fire struck the buildings located at 110-118 South Park Avenue Tuesday night, properties that the City of Buffalo will continue to attempt to acquire from Carr via eminent domain in the name of preservation, as the buildings are some of the oldest buildings that still stand in the city.
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Carr, who is also a co-owner of the Cobblestone Bar & Grill has big, ambitious to tear down the old buildings that were already in fairly rough shape prior to a Tuesday night fire and turn it into 55-story, luxurious skyscraper.
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Holtzman has strong opinions on this project, calling that idea a "farce."
"I think that it violates numerous codes, and it's also taking place on property that he doesn't own. So I think that it's all been used as a smoke and mirrors tactic to try to delay this issue further. I think, ultimately, he wants to knock down these buildings turned into a parking lot and just collect on arena nights and make money that way," said Holtzman. "It does nothing, it does nothing for Buffalo. It's just one man with a very big ego, who unfortunately is just a little bit lost in space and doesn't realize that this project will never happen. It'll never get approved, and it'll do nothing positive for the community."
Carr on Wednesday denied allegations of his intentions of turning the space into a parking lot.
Holtzman adds that the City of Buffalo is a historical city and historical properties that the city represent need to remain, he notes one of the properties was a bakery during the Civil War and would serve Union soldiers and 118 South Park Ave used to be an old blacksmith shop, the oldest buildings to remain in the historic district.
Sam Mallare, manager of The Draft Room on Perry Street, echo similar sentiments of Holtzman, adding she enjoys the architecture and history of Buffalo.
"I would love something that, you know, helps build up Buffalo. I do love that Buffalo has a lot of old historic buildings. It's something that I love. I mean, the Draft Room is an old factory, and I love telling the story to customers that come in. So I do enjoy the old architecture, but something that Buffalo can benefit from. So if they can find a way to preserve it and still put something in that can contribute to the Cobblestone District and Buffalo, that would be something and that would be great."
Holtzman and Mallare both acknowledge that the building must have a certain level of safety in order to be preserved, they are optimistic that if not all of it can be saved, some portions may be able to be reused or repurposed.
Holtzman challenges people to look up pictures of the old Cobblestone District on the internet.
"It was a really beautiful, cool neighborhood, and I hope that it can get back to that. I can just hope that with this, there is a silver lining and today's the first day that change starts to take place."