Demolition is expected to begin soon for eight homes along Busti Avenue. Late last week, Buffalo Reuse began stripping the homes for the process. The Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority is working to remove the homes as it prepares for Peace Bridge Plaza expansion.
A local attorney believes the PBA has not following the rules.
"They are not sharing with the community, the city of Buffalo or anyone else their actual plans for expansion," Art Giacalone, considers himself a concerned citizen. He tells WBFO & AM-970 News the bridge authority failed to obtain demolition permits from New York State.
"As a State agency, the PBA is obliged to apply for and obtain permits from the State Department of State," said Giacalone.
Giacolone said he is worried about possible contamination from the demolition of the homes, but his major concern is the Peace Bridge expansion plan.
"The Peace Bridge Authority says okay, we don't have to follow the federal or state environmental review process," said Giacolone.
Director of communications and government relations for the Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority says they are not a "state agency".
"The Buffalo & fort Erie Public Bridge Authority is not deemed a state agency. It is actually an international compact entity," said Matthew Davison.
Giacalone wrote to the New York Department of State Division of Code Enforcement asking or them to asking to review the matter. He is waiting for the Department to make a determination as to whether the PBA would be considered a "state agency".
Buffalo Mayor Brown has asked for more transparency.