Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan announced on Thursday the city will bear no responsibility for the costs of work needed for the former St. Ann's School on Emslie Street in the city's East Side neighborhood.
The Ryan administration has been in contact with the owner of the former school, and it will be up to the owners to be responsible for the costs associated with either rehabilitating or demolishing the structure.
"The City of Buffalo has often operated with a 'demolition first' mentality that has cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and led to the unnecessary loss of much of Buffalo’s historic architecture," said Mayor Ryan on Thursday outside the damaged structure. "Under my administration, there will be an expectation that property owners are responsible for the buildings they own."
Back on Jan. 15, the Buffalo Fire Department responded to a four-alarm fire that severely damaged the historic building on Emslie Street.
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In the days that followed, the City of Buffalo opted not to seek immediate demolition. Instead, city crews secured the site while longer-term decisions were made regarding the building. This included the installation of a temporary barrier around the property to deter unauthorized access, and help prevent further safety concerns until a semi-permanent barrier could be installed.
Over the past several weeks, city representatives have been in discussions with the property’s owner, Muna Center of Buffalo Inc., regarding plans for the heavily damaged structure. The owner will determine whether to preserve portions of the building or proceed with demolition and bear the associated costs.
By declining to proceed with an emergency demolition in January, immediately following the fire, the City of Buffalo has saved upwards of $2 million in demolition costs, based on current estimates.