Demolition of Kensington Towers Getting Closer

Demolition of Kensington Towers Getting Closer

Story Options

HLM Holding and Centerstone Development are moving forward with plans for a continuing care retirement campus known as Heritage Manor on the East Side. The $80 million development will be built on the site of the abandoned Kensington Towers housing project. Located adjacent to the Kensington Expressway near the Erie County Medical Center, the project is seen as a linchpin to future growth and revitalization of a long-overlooked neighborhood.

Built in 1958, the 371-unit housing project’s deteriorated condition blighted this section of Buffalo both socially and physically since it was closed in the early 1980s. Last year, the New York State Assembly provided the $5 million in funding to pay for demolition of the six, seven-story dilapidated towers.

Bids are in and developers are in a position to move forward with awarding a contract in coming weeks.

“Our budget for the demolition was right on target. The money secured from New York State will be spent to advance to the next phase of this development project which is the demolition of these towers,” according to John Giardino, CEO of Centerstone Development.

New York State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples adds, “It looks like a matter of days before these towers are finally demolished and we see cranes and construction equipment on this site.”

260413897_e36fe8bc15_b.jpg

Heritage Manor’s first phase, a 320-bed skilled nursing facility, will begin next spring closely followed by 180 senior independent living apartments to be operated by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. A later phase will add 158 assisted living apartments. When completed in three years, the development is expected to create 700 new jobs paying an average wage of $14/hour.

Photos by David Torke @ FixBuffalo.

digulios

What Others Have To Say

  1. suburbandesire

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 00:18

    This is interesting!!! Isn't this the same John Giordino who sits on Buffalo's very own control board? I'm certain there's no conflict of interest here...or? Love to know...

    Anyone want to venture a guess?

  2. UnionAMG

    2 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 08:03

    But what will ATAK and HERT do without these billboards- i mean buildings- hanging over the 33???

    Every day that these buildings remain standing is a day too long. It's unfortunate that this is one of the first prominant things someone sees if they drive from the airport into downtown. Great first impression!

  3. UnionAMG

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 08:14

    But what will ATAK and HERT do without these billboards- i mean buildings- hanging over the 33???

    Every day that these buildings remain standing is a day too long. It's unfortunate that this is one of the first prominant things someone sees if they drive from the airport into downtown. Great first impression!

  4. mbhxam

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 08:28

    These towers remind me so much of the towers in the HBO show The Wire...

  5. sbrof

    3 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 08:44

    I am fine with the tower's demolition. They are nothing more than symbols of a failed ideal of social housing and cattling the poor into dense areas.

    Does anyone know how contingent the plans of the retirement community are on the proximity of ECMC? Especially considering the ongoing plan to close it an merge it into the medical campus.

  6. Quinn

    2 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 08:49

    Anyone want to wager how long until someone makes a cynical remark about perservationists? 3...2....1...

  7. sally

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 08:57

    Looks like a great plan, but when exactly do they expect demolition to commence?

  8. buffaloboy14

    6 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 09:09

    Wow so far it looks like you hippies dont have a problem about this scumhole being knocked down! Is it because you finally realized your voice doesnt matter anymore with a great mayor like Brown in office or did you guys run out of juice from protesting the livery building that made no difference as if you were just standing out there singing kumbaya and smoking your wacky stuff. Well better luck next time, and if you guys want I can send you great pics of the Livery DEMOLISHED TO THE GROUND if you want when its done. Just leave your emails and ill get them to you.

  9. sbrof

    6 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 09:18

    Comparing these structures to the livery just shows how little people understand about history, architecture and preservation.

  10. Geomike

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 10:10

    I'm guessing that this project could be done before the litigation to close or not close ECMC is resolved. At least there will be some jobs there, and this incredible hole in the neighborhood will have something positive there - even if it likely won't generate much tax revenue. I will miss the tags on the buildings though.....

  11. Aloha

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 10:12

    Wow, it is interesting to note that these buildings went up only 50 years ago. How long ago were they abandoned? What a short life cycle they had, and what a waste. Makes me wonder how many of the buildings currently going up around the city today will be here 50 years from now.

  12. allfit

    3 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 10:31

    Good bye and good riddance...

    These buildings were trashed within 10 years of being built, they were basically condemned just like other housing complexes throughout the country. The structure is sound, the infrastructure was intact, but the building was destroyed from the inside out by residents. This is no different than the projects in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, etc, they were just a horrible, crime infested, deplorable place that no one should have had to live in.

    I hope that this project doesn't pull too many people from the Lutheran homes, Grace Manor, Bristol Home, and other facilities in the area, there are only so many private pay seniors willing to stay in the city and pulling them from other homes may result in the final demise of those buildings as well. I know that the Lutheran Home on Hager street has struggled for years to increase the number of private pay residents, and if the ratio changes too much, it may result in the closure of that facility. I imagine the same is true for the Bristol Home and Grace Manor. Buffalo has already lost other facilities for similar reasons.

  13. NBJOHN

    2 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 10:32

    These buildings cannot come down soon enough....

    Anyone want to lend a sledgehammer?

    ATAK and HERT lose another tag - SOB's I cannot wait until these two idiots get caught

  14. Andrew

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 12:06

    I was wondering about this project just yesterday. I'm so glad to hear its moving foward. It will be such an improvement not to mention the new health care jobs that come with it

  15. MJWorthington

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 12:43

    Why redevelop this plot of land? Knock these down and leave the plot empty.

    Why not create the nursing home and independent living facilities closer to downtown? If not right on Main St at least west of Jefferson. Create an Urban design that will add to orther projects (be it Artspace, the Medical Corridor, Sycamore Village) etc to get some type of critical mass started somewhere. Let them build off each other and create other service buisnesses etc due to the greater number of people nearby.

    Yes we will have some new jobs added here, maybe taking some of them from elsewhere. But all we are getting is a parking lot impregnated suburban drive-in/drive-out island that will do nothing to spur anything else near it. Not the best return on millions of investment. IT would be wonderful to see some type of overall plans being used to stear the development we do get.

  16. BuffaloSoldier

    7 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 12:48

    buffaloboy14:

    Your lack of education and intelligence is evident by you ignorant remarks. One can only hope that you were being facetious.

    Buffalo's brilliant architecture is one of its greatest assets. Balancing the revitalization of our historic neighborhoods though preservation and sophisticated new development is our best bet for urban revival. However, it is our historic fabric that will stand out the most to people. Not mediocre new office buildings and townhouses.

    People appreciate buildings such as the Livery Stables far more than Paladino's boring waterfront condo tower.

    Mayor Brown is far from a great mayor. His administration balances good PR skills with lame duck policies. It is evident that he is more concerned with his next political office than using a visionary approach toward revitalizing this city.

  17. buffaloboy14

    8 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 13:11

    Haha ok soldier, you can ride your unicorn pony into your stables that are falling apart while I park my car into a new parking ramp below my nice new condo on the water you hippie freak!Buffalo has been playing the "Buffalo's brilliant architecture is one of its greatest assets" for as long as its been around and look where its gotten it...NOWHERE BESIDES A DEPRESSED CITY!!!!

    As for Mayor Brown... it must kill you everyday that he doesnt give a care about what you tiedie cornrolled freaks think at all. He will be looked at as one of the best mayors in this city becase he changed it by making it a new up2date city!

  18. iamBuffalosfuture

    4 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 15:12

    buffaloboy: you're an idiot, troll failed

  19. iamBuffalosfuture

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 15:15

    and atak and hert wont be caught as they dont live in the area anymore, i actually am amazed at how they get at their "canvas." they do some serious urban climbing and ive noticed they only tag abandoned and blighted buildings which may help by bringing attention to building in need of tlc

  20. SLEEPL8

    4 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 15:17

    More physical change in the City of Buffalo has taken place on Byron Brown's watch that in the 20 years before him. Yes he is a good PR man. He is also an intelligent man and a man genuinely working to make Buffalo a great city. As far as the livery stables go...I couldn't care less. I am all for profitable condo towers.

  21. sally

    5 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 15:26

    SLEEPL8 said "More physical change in the City of Buffalo has taken place on Byron Brown's watch that in the 20 years before him."

    LMAO at that one. Name something STARTED with Brown,anf not just prior projects under construction when he took office that were completed during his tenure.

  22. Joshua

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 15:54

    It's great that the Glenny Dr. Apartments will be demolished. I have been waiting for the day that that would happen. It's actually sad that these were only occupied for 25 years, what a waste of tax payer dollars and materials that could have gone to a much better project. :-(

  23. NBJOHN

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 16:42

    the two taggers aren't in town anymore? That is good If you know them, or the whereabouts - nark on the assholes

  24. sbrof

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 16:48

    I agree with sally, just about every single project on that has been done during Brown's admin was on the table and in the works because of the visioning that was done during the previous admin (not by the mayor) but at lease the mayor listened to and supported the right people. Brown has done nothing but ride the growth to support pay increases for just about every major city union and install a Big Brother fear in city hall and on the streets.

    Look at the maps from 2002 well before brown. Notice what was already on the maps... what can Brown actually ADD to that map

    or

    Map Here

  25. RLC

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 17:28

    thank God! I pass these buildings every morning on my way to work. I hope these come down quickly!! i have to agree, Buffalo seems to be turning a corner and with the announcement of another Condo tower next to the new one, one might begin thinking other developers may take notice. i can't imagine they would sit back and let 1 or 2 local developers make all the headlines. :) enjoy

  26. Tuco

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 18:47

    I can only imagine what they'll find in those buildings when the demo crews prepare for them to come down. I'm guessing that at some point since 1983, there were bad things going on in that complex.

  27. sonyactivision

    0 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 18:50

    Driving by those towers in the early '70's, they were already decrepit and outdated. Windows were gone, junk was everywhere, and it reeked of desperation and failure. They might have had an actual fuctional existence of maybe ten years. Robert Moses was some visionary, huh? To see them come down should be a relief. maybe in that same neighborhood will rise new towers that offer an optimistic and pleasing billboard to people driving by. Imagine two Gates Towers there!

  28. mybuffalo

    2 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 20:57

    brown has been mayor for what 2 years? do you idiots realize how long it takes to come up with a plan get the land and implement that plan? masiello doesn't deserve much credit for anything.. and i never even heard of that horse stable before a few days ago, why weren't people working harder then to preserve it?

  29. blackrocklifer

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 21:30

    Buffaloboy-Again I ask, Do you laugh when old people fall down?

  30. Colin

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 18th 2008, 22:40

    People weren't working as hard at saving the livery years ago because it wasn't an emergency situation, and because they had the apparently crazy idea that preserving it was the owner's responsibilty, and that inspecting it was the city's responsibility.

  31. SLEEPL8

    3 ratings12345
    Jun 19th 2008, 11:33

    Sally. I'm glad to provide laughs for you. My point is work is actually getting done in his term. He isn't standing in the way of projects either new or in progress. Yes, many projects were proposed before his term but he is allowing the city to help these projects along as well as welcoming/encouraging continued development.

  32. brokeleg

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 19th 2008, 12:26

    Thank God these things are coming down. Anyone coming downtown from the airport has to look at these things. And buffaloboy- dont hate on the hippies, at least they have original ideas. Your Ad Hominem assults have no credibility or relevance. Historic buildings give identity to a place.

  33. leadi

    2 ratings12345
    Jun 19th 2008, 13:16

    ATAK & HERT - didn't those little jerks get caught and were fined and/or did community service or a little jail time? Not sure what the outcome was. I think the one kid was from Rochester, got a felony conviction for his graffiti. The details are blurry for me.

    Thankfully we will not have to look at these piles of crap any longer! When is the timeline for demolition? And Can Buffalo reuse use the bricks?

  34. bc71

    1 ratings12345
    Jun 19th 2008, 13:51

    The graffiti vandal who went by the name Meth, Eric P. Osborne (of Clarence, NY) was arrested in late 2006. To my knowledge, Atak and Hert have not paid for there crimes

  35. zen

    2 ratings12345
    Jun 19th 2008, 14:49

    sbrof, I guess the difference is that these things are actually getting done. How many ideas have sat for years as only renderings?

  36. Matthewjohnp

    2 ratings12345
    Jun 20th 2008, 22:03

    So what's the differnce between this eye sore and the livery stable? 75 years and yuppies?

Would you like to subscribe to this conversation?

Enter your email below, and you will receive an alert each time someone leaves a comment on this post.

What Do You Think?

Text Links