A 19th century building on Buffalo's West Side is being transformed into a 14-unit apartment building.
West Side residents and local officials gathered at White's Livery Stable Monday afternoon on Buffalo's West Side to celebrate the commencement of a rehabilitation project that will convert the structure into fourteen new apartments.
Mayor Byron Brown thanked neighborhood residents for their patience and appreciation of the historic building which had posed a safety issue when it began crumbling a few years ago.
"I want to recognize those people that live in the immediate proximity of the structure, who even with bricks falling into their yards and falling onto their properties were willing to be patient so that something could be done," said Mayor Brown.
Brown said the significance of saving the neighborhood landmark is evident in the response from last week's National Preservation Conference.
"We are just coming off of the heels of the National Preservation Conference where everyone who came to the conference had glowing things to say about the work that had been done in this city, and neighborhoods all across Buffalo to preserve structures, and to preserve our history in this community," said Mayor Brown.
The renovations will salvage the existing front and rear facades while constructing fourteen new apartments and an enclosed parking area in between. The project is scheduled for completion next September.