The wreckers have shown up at the Vernor Building, 752 Main Street, in the Theater District. Long-time owner David Shifrin of Tech Associates based in Cleveland has reportedly obtained an emergency demolition order from the City for the work. Crews from Titan Wrecking and Environmental started work late this afternoon.
The Vernor was built in 1903 as a showroom for Pierce-Arrow automobiles. Plans for the long-vacant building have come and gone for the past twenty years. Shifrin, convicted in Buffalo Housing Court for allowing the building to decay, made no attempt to shore up the building.
Saved once from the wrecking ball, the fate of the building was sealed several years ago. After years of neglect, the current owner received Preservation Board approval for the tattered building's demolition in August 2005 when the site was being eyed by First Amherst Development for a mid-rise residential complex.
The Board, after hearing passionate arguments to either save the building or at least the terra cotta facade, reluctantly agreed that the building was beyond repair and approved of the demolition. First Amherst as recently as last November was still interested in the site.
'Progress' as of Saturday morning:
Photo credit: Aaron Zimmerman