By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The Preservation Coalition of Erie County and three local lawmakers announced they are suing the state to force repairs of the Richardson Complex.
The announcement came at the Coalition's annual meeting Thursday night
State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, and Buffalo Council members Joe Golombek and David Franczyk are co-plaintiffs with the Coalition on the suit, which will soon be filed against the state Dormitory Authority.
The Authority owns the complex, which has stood vacant and deteriorating since 1974.
Timothy Tielman is Executive Director of the Preservation Coalition.
Tielman said they are suing under a section of New York State law requiring historic buildings be maintained and restored in accordance with federal preservation guidelines.
And he said they're looking for swift action.
"Perhaps we can get an injunction from a judge to direct that this work take place immediately, because there are sections of wall, in fact, that are falling," said Tileman.
"That's a hazardous situation and we're hoping we can get some type of order to immediately repair the problem, and then we'll go through whatever length of time it takes to resolve this lawsuit."
Repairs to save the buildings, designed by renowned architect H.H. Richardson in 1869, have been estimated at between eight and ten million dollars.