By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-957871.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A Buffalo developer is about to take the reins of the Statler Towers.
As WBFO's Eileen Buckley reports a ceremony is planned for 2'o'clock Wednesday afternoon to transfer ownership of the Statler to Mark Croce.
Croce, who formed Statler City LLC, will officially receive the deed to the building from bankruptcy trustee Morris Horwitz today. The bankruptcy started in the Spring of 2009. Croce says he can finally begin to breathe new life back into the historic building.
More than a year ago the Statler building was shuttered and boarded up. But today Croce is inviting the public to join the ceremony inside the Statler lobby. Over the last few days, Croce and crews have been sprucing up the lower floor for the event.
Croce claims there's plenty of business interest, from retail to downtown living, in locating in a refurbished Statler.
Croce says its costing him about $1 million to buy the Statler. That includes attorney fees. He's also waiting for the city to finalize some funding to help with stabilization of the building. But for now, Croce tells us he's "rock'in and rolling" to get the historic towers reopened for new business.