The following comes from the Preservation Roundtable regarding on the ongoing discussions surrounding the Trico #1 Plant.
On November 19th, 2012, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
(BNMC) released the ‘Trico Complex Redevelopment Feasibility Study’ to the
public. The study was undertaken by the BNMC in response to the community’s
concerns about the future of this historic National Register listed complex.
The Preservation Roundtable, having acted in a limited advisory capacity during
the drafting process of the document, has reviewed the BNMC’s study.
We are extremely appreciative of the BNMC’s efforts to
conduct a redevelopment analysis of the historic Trico Complex. The recently
released study provides a wide breadth of important background information, both historical
and structural, and also recognizes the specific challenges and opportunities
that exist related to the limited reuse options that were explored. The BNMC’s
study serves as an excellent foundation for a more in-depth examination of the
potential reuse of the historic Trico Complex.
Given the extensive amount of work already completed by the
BNMC, we propose that continued investigation be undertaken to find an
appropriate adaptive reuse for the historic Trico Complex. This new effort
should have a larger scope including creative design solutions, specific market
conditions and potential economic incentives that were not recognized in the
BNMC study. The current proposed plan is ineligible for historic tax credits,
which places the future reuse of the entire complex at risk. Identifying a
reuse that maximizes tax credits is a win-win for our community and the BNMC.
The Preservation Roundtable, as a community-based member
group comprised of real estate industry professionals, concerned citizens and
community volunteers, is ready to define and direct this follow up
investigation. A creative reuse solution for the historic Trico Complex must be
explored and we are ready to leverage our collective expertise and experience
to guarantee that it takes place. The renewed endeavor will start at the beginning
of the new year with a fundraising event for the associated costs of producing this
new study. The fundraising event will take place at the Lafayette Hotel in mid-January
of 2013. Specific details will be released shortly.
The Preservation Roundtable is extremely excited to continue
our ongoing dialogue with the BNMC as we work together to further investigate
the potential for the reuse of the historic Trico Complex. We welcome your help
and support.
About the Preservation
Roundtable:
Formed in the Fall of 2011, the Preservation Roundtable is a
community-based member group comprised of real estate industry
professionals, concerned citizens and community volunteers who’s mission is to
foster and sustain successful working relationships within the real estate community of Western
New York while actively seeking to preserve our region’s heritage.