Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) A court battle continues over the fire ravaged Cobblestone buildings.
The city is trying to take the property through eminent domain.
Owner Darryl Carr wants to demolish the buildings for a 55 story tower. Carr told WBEN Thursday that he remains hopeful with a new administration, under Mayor Sean Ryan. He said with two events coming up this year, the NCAA tournament and the NHL Draft, something needs to happen.
"I would hope cooler heads would prevail with a new administration. I think (Mayor) Sean Ryan is very intelligent and I believe when he sits down with me that we'll figure out a solution." Adding, "I'd like to get to work on it tomorrow."
The buildings at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue have been at the center of legal battles, between the city and Carr, for 15 years.
The brick commercial buildings date back to before the Civil War in the 1850's.
A fire ripped through the properties in June of 2024, leaving more than a million dollars in damage.
Carr said he has paid close to a quarter million dollars in legal fees over that time.