By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-957999.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The deed to the Statler Towers in downtown Buffalo as officially signed over to developer Mark Croce Wednesday afternoon.
The ceremony marked the end of a very long bankruptcy process for the building. The Statler has been boarded up for over a year.
Croce is promising a new day for the historic Statler building. But before major redevelopment can begin, Croce must first shore up the building to make it safe. He will be making repairs to the roof and some crumbling Terracotta on the outside of the structure.
Croce is reaching out to the City to provide about $5.3 million in public funding to assist with some of the stabilization. The City will review Croce's plan before it makes any commitments.
You can click the above audio to listen to the ceremony held inside the Statler lobby.