Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A massive fire that broke out Tuesday night at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue in Buffalo's Cobblestone District has left the building that makes up one of the oldest properties remaining in the city a charred mess.
While the properties were in the middle of an eminent domain dispute between the city and owner Darryl Carr, the Civil War era brick structure was already in a decrepit state, and Tuesday's fire may be the final straw with determining whether or not it can be saved or needs to be torn down.
However, city officials have not yet issued an order for an emergency demolition as the investigation into the fire continues.
"It's another old brick building that doesn't look like it's salvageable, to me," said Orchard Park native Ed Hempling, riding his bike through Downtown Buffalo on Wednesday. "It reminds me of the Great Northern [grain elevator] or whatever these buildings are around, they talked about restoring it and nothing seems to get done. I know it goes back-and-forth between making code and dealing with the preservationists. I'm not making a comment on that, but it wasn't real obvious, to me, if the scaffolding wasn't there and everything else. It's not like The [Old] Pink with a wooden building that burns where you see all the charred remains. You've got to look closely at the top and have to see that there was even a fire."
Hempling says one of his normal bike routes is through the downtown region of Buffalo, along with other areas like the Buffalo Waterfront, Delaware Park, and the Cobblestone District. He admits he's happy with the progress that has been made with restorations and other preservation projects in the city, but wishes for some of these disputes with sites like 110 and 118 South Park Avenue can get resolved sooner.
"I don't want to get into the political side, but I'm happy with a lot of what they did up at Olmsted, with Wilkeson [Pointe], and [Douglas] Jemal with what they did up there. A lot of good stuff. I just think some of these buildings they've gotta make a quicker decision on whether they're salvageable or not. That's my take on it," Hempling said.
Over the years, many had hoped the Cobblestone District in Downtown Buffalo could become a thriving entertainment district where people want to congregate and enjoy themselves in the city. While Hempling doesn't know what can be done right now to help turn the corner with the district, he does feel there's still plenty for the area to offer.
"I think so much of it depends upon the Sabres playing, and they have to bring a lot of people down to this part. But there is a spill over, even from Silo City, which has a few businesses. There's a bar down there that's open a few days a week, a lot of people probably don't even know about it. Some down next to RiverWorks, the Waffle House and all that. There's a lot down here, but it's spread out more than other parts of the city," Hempling said. "I don't know what they could do to make things different, you need parking down here too. I think if they finish the [DL&W] Terminal here with their plans, it would make a big difference."
Check out a photo gallery of the fire at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue from both Tuesday night and Wednesday morning after the flames were extinguished:
Buffalo, N.Y. - A fire broke out Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue, one of the oldest sites still remaining in the City of Buffalo's Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Tim Wenger - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A fire broke out Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue, one of the oldest sites still remaining in the City of Buffalo's Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Tim Wenger - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo and Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski address the media as a fire broke out Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue, one of the oldest sites still remaining in the City of Buffalo's Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Tim Wenger - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski address the media as a fire broke out Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 110 and 118 South Park Avenue, one of the oldest sites still remaining in the City of Buffalo's Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Tim Wenger - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - Owner of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue, Darryl Carr, speaks with the media after a fire broke out on site of one of the oldest sites still remaining in the City of Buffalo's Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and Carr.Tim Wenger - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Buffalo, N.Y. - A look at the charred remains of 110 and 118 South Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The site is one of the oldest remaining parts in the City of Buffalo, located in the Cobblestone District. It is also the site of an ongoing eminent domain battle between the city and its owner, Darryl Carr.Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
