Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The historial Great Northern grain elevator continues to stand with a large gaping hole in its wall, but for how much longer will it stand and could it still stand? A crane has arrived on-site today.
Tim Tielman, Director of the Campaign for Greater Buffalo says that there is still avenues he and his team can pursue to save the elevator, but the case has still not been closed, so they can not appeal.
"We had a conference, final arguments in State Supreme Court on Friday and Judge Colaiacovo did not make a decision at that time to dismiss the case, which means we can't appeal and demolition preparations can go forward," said Tielman.
Related
Archer Daniels Midland, the company that owns the elevator says that they could have all their equipment sent to them in about a week and assembled in another week to commence demolition, described by the campaign in court on Friday. WBEN sources show that a large crane was on-site today, it is unknown if all equipment is present for assembly. According to Tielman, if they have every part of they crane boom, they have everything else they need to start assembly.
The only real chance according to Tielman to save the elevator is the hope that the judge reaches his decision soon, having an idea of the demolition timetable. He is sure that the judge will not vote in his favor, having ruled against the campaign twice. Once in January, which allowed the campaign to appeals court, where they found it was unlawful for the campaign not to testify and then again in July.
If demolition was to pursue, Tielman says that there is another avenue that their team can pursue, "There is a possibility of a legal path that's not yet been tried. We're not sure the chances of success but we'll leave no stone unturned, but the sure path is to have this judge, in a very timely manner, dismiss the case and allow us to appeal. The status quo what's going on right now, we feel is justice denied. Justice delayed is justice denied."
Tielman said he currently does not have anything he can share with me right now as to what that legal avenue entails.
To hear the full interview, see the player below: