Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's finally all systems go for the demolition of the Perry Projects in Buffalo's First Ward community for future redevelopment.
City of Buffalo's Office of Strategic Planning Executive Director Brendan Mehaffy tells WBEN on Monday morning equipment is on-site and ready to go for demolition.
"It's a big day for Buffalo," said Mehaffy. "The buildings that have long been blighting that area in that neighborhood that are vacant and abandoned are coming down today. There is a huge amount of equipment that is on-site and the first building is, at this very moment, on its way to being demolished."
Mehaffy notes the demolition process could possibly take four or five months not only because the site is over 19 acres in size, but there is a lot of underground infrastructure associated with the site as well.
However, similar to the Marine Drive apartment demolition and redevelopment strategy, the city will be doing the demolition in sections.
"There'll be some construction of new housing at the same time this old housing is being demolished, with a very ambitious timeframe of trying to get some of these apartments available in 2025," Mehaffy said.
Mehaffy adds there shouldn't be any road closures or traffic disruptions while the demolition takes place.
So what's in store for the future of the site once the buildings are down?
"Mixed use is primarily focused along South Park," Mehaffy said. "And that's where there'll be a number of commercial activities, not only to benefit the individuals that are on the current Perry site, butt everybody who's in the neighborhood, the Old First Ward and those traveling through. They'll also be some community activities and entities that will be in there as well in addition. And then, of course, a real mix of housing types as well from townhomes to apartments that are going to be located on site."
As the Perry Homes have been a community eyesore for over a decade now, Mehaffy says this demolition marks a real milestone for the city.
"This community's been waiting decades for it, and so it's very exciting for the community at this point in time to have this underway," he said.