BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)...........In a perfect world, Buffalo would - by now - gained ownership and control of the long- vacant Buffalo Grand Hotel.
But, it is not a perfect world.
The fact that hotel still remains in the ownership of Canadian investor Harry Stinson only frustrates local leaders with Mayor Sean Ryan chief among them.
Ryan, last year, when he was running for mayor said the resovling the Buffalo Grand issue - especially because of its economic and development implications for downtown and organizations like Visit Buffalo - was paramount.
Yet, ten months into his administration, the 486-room hotel sits vacant and vandalized while, according to an economic impact study commissioned by Visit Buffalo, says downtown needs at least 500 more hotel rooms.
"There are problems that have been around for decades that we can't unwind in months," Ryan said.
Ryan said there are many legal steps that must be taken - including eminent domain or declaring the hotel abandoned - that could help clear the way for Buffalo gaining control of the hotel from its current owner, Canadian investor Harry Stinson.
Those steps are deliberate and must be taken in order, Ryan said.
"The legal decision is not a quick snap and snap process,:" Ryan said. "Filing the paper work in court is not the snap answer."
Stinson has repeatedly said he is trying to line up investors to helo revive the hotel.
That takes time, Stinson said.
Still, pressure is mounting to resolve the Buffalo Grand issue Its implications are key economic and development issue that continues to hover above downtown Buffalo, especially with the growing need for more hotel rooms.
Ryan knows that and says reviving the Buffalo Grand is a top priority.
"It is a slow process," Ryan said.
Mayor says the long legal process has to play itself out
Mayor says the long legal process has to play itself out
