That safety scaffolding might be gone from Delaware Avenue side of Statler City soon, with money finally coming through for some repairs on the building facade.
Anyone going through Niagara Square has seen the heavyweight scaffolding protecting passersby against brick or terra cotta falling from a building which wasn't maintained very well for a long-long time.
Developer Mark Croce suggests complete repair and replacement will eventually be expensive but City Hall has passed through a grant for more than $5 million to inspect the facade and get rid of problem areas, potentially allowing the scaffolding to be gone by the end of the construction season.
"Now that we're getting ready to move forward, now that the mayor has helped us secure some funding for the exterior stabilization and restoration of the terra cotta, you're going to see vast improvements in the curb appeal of that property," Croce said.
"It's only going to be more inviting for more special events. So, it will be the premier wedding and special event destination in Western New York."
Croce says a specialist company has been brought in for the inspection and repairs. If the decision is made to go ahead with replacing some of the deteriorated terra cotta and restoring Ellsworth Statler's plan for the hotel, Boston Valley Terra Cotta is only a few miles away and can provide the specialized materials repair might need.
