BUFFALO, New York — Charred wood and ash are all that's left of the building that once stood on Kilhoffer Street in Buffalo.
It was supposed to be a headquarters for the Buffalo Peacemakers and other anti-violence groups in the city.
Instead, the Buffalo Peacemakers announced plans to rebuild their headquarters there. The building, which was scheduled to officially open in the summer, was destroyed in a fire Tuesday evening.
Reverend James Giles, the coordinator for the Buffalo Peacemakers, told 2 On Your Side's Karys Belger that discussions were in the works with various stakeholders to determine the cost of rebuilding the structure.
Pastor Giles also explained that an account had been Set Up with Key Bank to collect donations from the public. Anyone wishing to donate can go to any Key Bank Branch in Western New York and donate to the Back to Basics Ministries Inc. Peacemaker Charitable Fund. All of the proceeds will go immediately towards the rebuild.
"It’s a partnership that’s going on and really the partnership is designed to create this space this wonderful space in the Bailey-Green area, the East Side of Buffalo, to not only bring peace but also recreational to create a neighborhood kind of environment there", Giles told 2 On Your Side.
Originally donations from organizations like the Westminster Presbyterian Church and assistance from Habitat from Humanity helped build the structure. Giles said he's looking to the organizations to help with the rebuild.
A representative with the Buffalo Fire Department confirmed the fire is an arson case. Someone set fire to the building Tuesday night. Since then investigators have been trying to find whoever is responsible.
The building had undergone $80,000 in renovations and was to serve as a headquarters for the Buffalo Peacemakers, the Anti-Violence Coalition and other non-violence groups in the City of Buffalo. There were also plans of allowing people to use it as a community space.
Reverend James Giles explained that plans were in the works to meet with elected officials and local organizations to see how much financial help would be needed to rebuild.
"It hasn't diminished our resolve, to stand with this community as a beacon of hope for all of our partners and the residents of this neighborhood."
He later added: "Our primary concern as peacemakers is, we don't want people hurting each other right? And this kind of thing right here hurt somebody."
At a news conference surrounded by leaders from other community organizations and elected officials, the Peacemakers vowed to rebuild and make the place that intended to be their home base bigger and better than before.
Plans are also in the works to put together events in the neighborhood to help the Buffalo PEacemakers establish a presence there while the headquarters is being rebuilt.