BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There are new developments in the saga surrounding two buildings in Buffalo's Cobblestone District.
For over a decade, the buildings located at 110-118 South Park Avenue have been at the center of legal battles with city officials citing owner Darryl Carr for neglect.
The city initiated eminent domain proceedings in 2023, and in June 2024, fire ripped through the buildings and they sustained more than $1 million in damage.
Below you can watch drone video from scene of the fire as well as the aftermath
In July 2024, a court ruled in the city's favor and denied Carr's application for leave to appeal the eminent domain proceeding. When this ruling was announced, Carr told 7 News, "We are filing a motion with the Court of Appeals."
Now, a New York State court has denied Carr's appeal, bringing the city one step closer to acquiring the properties through eminent domain.
Both sides have weighed in on this latest decision.
While city leaders are laying out their plans for the properties, Carr insists his fight is far from over.
"We cannot allow another one of the city's architectural gems to be lost due to neglect," Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon said.
Carr, who also owns the Cobblestone Bar, vowed to take his case to the State Supreme Court.
"This isn't the end," Carr said. "We're not even halfway through. I've put 25 years of my life into this. Why would I quit now?"
Carr argued that the city's compensation offer was a fraction of what he originally paid for the buildings. He also claimed that city officials repeatedly stalled his redevelopment plans.
"To develop the property, my engineers and architects told me the buildings had to come down," Carr said. "Then, of course, there was a fire—who knows how that happened?"
Q: "Earlier, you said this needed to be rebuilt. You had ordered a demolition. What plan did you have for this land?"
A: "My plan was to rebuild the existing buildings, just like you see in the project behind me. You can go to UnityTower.com to see that. But the city just dismissed that plan."
Carr insisted his vision for "Unity Tower" has been repeatedly blocked, but Nowakowski argued the delays have only contributed to the site's deterioration.
"For 15 years, he used the courts to delay action while the buildings fell into disrepair, affecting neighbors and the district," Nowakowski said. "Now, we are moving full steam ahead to put these structures into productive use."
"My engineers have stated in all their reports— there's nothing holding these buildings together but gravity," Carr explained.
The battle over these historic Cobblestone District properties is far from over, but for now, the city is moving forward with its plans.
In August 2024, a judge dismissed Carr's lawsuit asking the court to force the city to knock the buildings down. Nowakowski told 7 News that while Carr could appeal the decision, the city planned to move forward with emergency repairs.
In September 2024, the Buffalo Common Council announced it voted 8-1 to approve nearly $400,000 for the emergency stabilization of the buildings.
