BUFFALO, N.Y. — Crews began work to stabilize two buildings severely damaged in a June fire.
In early September, Buffalo Common Council approved nearly $400,000 in emergency funding for controlled demolition and stabilization of both buildings.
On Monday, 2 on Your Side crews starting work with machinery on site.
The buildings at issue were built the the mid-1800s. Before and since the fire, owner Darryl Carr has made the case to bring down the buildings. He wants to put up a 55-story tower with 500 residential units and retail space in their place. City of Buffalo leaders want the historic buildings to be preserved.
The battle between Carr and city leaders have been the subject of multiple lawsuits. Carr has failed to win in the cases.
Buffalo Common Council has said that Carr will pay for all stabilization efforts.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is assisting the Buffalo Fire Department in the search for a cause.