Future of historic Cobblestone buildings at crossroads By Mark Sommer News Staff Reporter Aug 31, 2020 Aug 31, 2020 Updated Mar 13, 2026 0 1 of 2 A view of the boarded-up businesses along Illinois Street in the Cobblestone District on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News Mike Smith rides his bike along South Park Avenue in the Cobblestone District on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save By Mark Sommer News Staff Reporter  kAm%96 `hE9\46?EFCJ 3C:4< 3F:=5:?8D 2E E96 D@FE96C? 6?5 @7 E96 r@33=6DE@?6 s:DEC:4E 92G6 366? :? 52?86C @7 4@==2AD:?8 D:?46 E96:C @H?6C H2D 7:CDE 92F=65 :?E@ w@FD:?8 r@FCE >@C6 E92? `_ J62CD 28@] k^AmkAm}@H E96J 2C6 6>6C8:?8 2D 2 E6DE @7 r:EJ w2==VD 86E\E@F89 A@=:4J]k^AmkAm%96 r2?2=\6C2 DECF4EFC6D 2C6 56E6C:@C2E:?8 2D >:==:@?D 92G6 366? DA6?E ?62C3J E@ 6G@<6 E96 A2DE 2E r2?2=D:56]k^AmkAm|2J@C qJC@? qC@H? :? s646>36C G@H65 9:D 25>:?:DEC2E:@? H@F=5 Q4C24< 5@H? 92C5Q @? @H?6CD ?@E >2:?E2:?:?8 E96:C 3F:=5:?8D] w:D H2C?:?8 7@==@H65 E96 A2CE:2= 4@==2AD6 @7 2 ?68=64E65 r:G:= (2C\6C2 3F:=5:?8 @? t==:4@EE $EC66E]k^Am People are also reading… Franklin County administrator to step down Social Security COLA 2027: How much could your benefits increase? Trump to begin sending $500 ACA refund checks. Here's where they're going Diamond Avenue community pushes for solutions to decades-long problems Boones Mill obtains grant for new park project Rocky Mount asks residents to voluntarily conserve water 1 killed, 4 injured in crash involving Abingdon school bus after football game Judge Michael Urbanski to retire after long tenure on the federal bench David Hoffmann: A better chorus for the communities we serve Federal grant to fund Route 122 improvement study at Smith Mountain Lake Diamond Avenue community pushes for solutions to decades-long problems Sale of Hotel Roanoke Conference Center finalized as Virginia Tech prepares to sell whole building Tri-Area Community Health announces new behavioral health director Is our admiration for the Amish overlooking real harm? | The Ethical Life podcast What is the regulatory future of Mountain Valley’s Boost project in Elliston? kAm!C6D6CG2E:@?:DED 2?5 4:EJ @77:4:2=D 42== E96 r@33=6DE@?6 s:DEC:4E 3F:=5:?8D tI9:3:E p 7@C :?E6CG6?E:@?]k^AmkAmQ(96? H6 E2=<65 E@ E96 >2J@C 23@FE 9:D 86E\E@F89 A@=:4J[ H6 82G6 9:> 2 =:DE 2?5 D2:5 E9:D :D E96 @?6 H6 H2?E E@ 8@ 27E6C 7:CDE[Q D2:5 y2>6D r@>6C7@C5[ 4@>>:DD:@?6C @7 E96 s6A2CE>6?E @7 !6C>:E 2?5 x?DA64E:@? $6CG:46D] k^AmkAmQ%9:D E:?J 3=@4< @7 E96 r@33=6DE@?6 s:DEC:4E C6AC6D6?ED[ C62==J[ E96 =2DE :?E24E A2CE @7 @FC H2E6C7C@?E C6=2E65 E@ E96 tC:6 r2?2=[Q D2:5 y6DD:6 u:D96C[ 6I64FE:G6 5:C64E@C @7 !C6D6CG2E:@? qF772=@ }:282C2] Q%9:D :D @FC =2DE 4@??64E:@? E@ E92E A2CE @7 @FC 96C:E286]Qk^Am kAmx? w@FD:?8 r@FCE :? |2C49[ E96 qC@H? 25>:?:DEC2E:@? 2D<65 E92E s2CCJ= r2CC[ E96 @H?6C[ AFE S`__[___ :? 6D4C@H E@ 9:C6 2 4@?EC24E@C E@ DE23:=:K6 2 3F:=5:?8 2E ``_\``c $@FE9 !2C< pG6?F6 :7 96 5:5?VE DF3>:E 2 A=2? E@ E96 4:EJ 2?5 ?2>6 2 4@?EC24E@C 2E E96 ?6IE 962C:?8] %96 962C:?8 H2D E@ 92G6 366? :? pAC:=[ 3FE H2D A@DEA@?65 5F6 E@ r@G:5\`h]k^Am kAm%96 4:EJ H:== =@@< E@ :?E6CG6?6 :7 r2CC 5@6D?’E 24E] qFE E92E H@F=5 C6BF:C6 w@FD:?8 r@FCE yF586 !2EC:4< r2C?6J E@ :DDF6 2? 6>6C86?4J DE23:=:K2E:@? @C56C]k^AmkAmr2CC 2DD6CED A2CED @7 E96 3F:=5:?8 – H:E9 3F4<=65 2?5 4CF>3=:?8 H2==D 2?5 H62<6?65 >@CE2C – 2C6 E@@ 72C 8@?6 2?5 ?665 E@ 36 C6>@G65 E@ 7:E :?E@ 9:D A=2? 7@C 2 dd\DE@CJ 3F:=5:?8 @? E96 D:E6]k^Am A view of the deteriorating boarded-up businesses between Mississippi and Illinois streets in the Cobblestone District on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News kAmr2CC D2:5 96 92D 2 A=2? E@ :?E68C2E6 >@DE @7 E96 AC@A6CEJ :?E@ 9:D &?:EJ %@H6C 2E r@33=6DE@?6 !=246 AC@;64E] %96 7FEFC:DE:4 56D:8? 42==D 7@C 2 >:I @7 4@?5@D[ 9@E6= DF:E6D[ D9@AD[ 2 C@@7E@A H:?E6C 82C56? 2?5 A2?@C2>:4 C6DE2FC2?E[ 2=@?8 H:E9 2? 255:E:@? E@ E96 r@33=6DE@?6 q2C U2>Aj vC:==[ 2== A@H6C65 3J H:?5\5C:G6? EFC3:?6D[ 86@E96C>2= 2?5 D@=2C 6?6C8J]k^Am kAmQx F?56CDE2?5 H96C6 2== E96 AC6D6CG2E:@?:DED 2C6 4@>:?8 7C@>[ 2?5 x ?6G6C H2?E65 E@ 56>@=:D9 2== E96 3F:=5:?8D[Q r2CC D2:5] QqFE H96? x 3@F89E E96 3F:=5:?8D[ x <?6H E96 46?E6C 3F:=5:?8D ?66565 E@ 4@>6 5@H? 2?5 E96 EH@ 3F:=5:?8D x 4@F=5 D2G6 H6C6 @? $@FE9 !2C< E@ :?4@CA@C2E6 :?E@ E9:D AC@;64E]Qk^Am kAmr2CC D2:5 96 4@F=5 C6G:D6 9:D A=2? E@ DE23:=:K6 E96 3F:=5:?8 :7 w@FD:?8 r@FCE 7@C46D 9:> E@[ 3FE 9@A6D E96 ;F586 H@?VE] w6 A=2?D E@ AC@A@D6 E96 &?:EJ %@H6C AC@;64E E@ E96 qF772=@ !=2??:?8 q@2C5 :? $6AE6>36C]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8mw:DE@CJ 2?5 w@FD:?8 r@FCEk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAm%96 4=FDE6C @7 @=5 3C:4< 3F:=5:?8D 2?5 DE@?6 DEC66ED :? E96 D>2== r@33=6DE@?6 w:DE@C:4 !C6D6CG2E:@? s:DEC:4E[ 56D:8?2E65 3J E96 r@>>@? r@F?4:= :? `hhc[ 2C6 3@C56C65 3J !6CCJ 2?5 $@FE9 !2C< 2G6?F6D 2?5 |:DD:DD:AA: 2?5 x==:?@:D DEC66ED]k^Am kAm%96 =2?5>2C<:?8 H2D F?56CE2<6? 3J AC6D6CG2E:@?:DED E@ AC6G6?E @H?6CD @7 E96\E96? ?6H rC@DDC@25D pC6?2[ ?@H z6Jq2?< r6?E6C[ 7C@> 7=2EE6?:?8 E96 3F:=5:?8D 7@C A2C<:?8] %96 3F:=5:?8D 2=@?8 E96 4@33=6DE@?6 DEC66ED H6C6 7:==65 :? E96 `hE9 2?5 a_E9 46?EFC:6D 3J >6E2=H@C<:?8 D9@AD[ AC@5F4E >2?F724EFC6CD 2?5 >2C:E:>6 DFAA=:6CD H96? qF772=@ 6>6C865 2D 2? :?5FDEC:2= A@H6C9@FD6 2?5 9F3 7@C 8C2:? DE@C286]k^AmkAm$6G6C2= 3F:=5:?8D H6C6 C656G6=@A65 27E6C E96 D>2== 5:DEC:4E H2D D2G65] ~77:46 3F:=5:?8D 9@FD:?8 DE2E6 286?4:6D 2?5 3FD:?6DD6D[ 2 C@4< 4=F3[ 2 4@>65J 4=F3[ 2 3C6H6CJ[ 2 5:DE:==6CJ 2?5 2? 2FE@>@3:=6 C6DE@C6C 2C6 =@42E65 :? E96 5:DEC:4E] xEVD 2=D@ 9@>6 E@ !68F=2 $A@CED U2>Aj t?E6CE2:?>6?E] %96 }2E:@?2= !2C< $6CG:46 :? a_`c A=2465 E96 r@33=6DE@?6 s:DEC:4E @? E96 }2E:@?2= #68:DE6C @7 w:DE@C:4 !=246D]k^Am kAmr2CC :D >2;@C:EJ @H?6C @7 E9C66 @7 E96 `` 3F:=5:?8D =67E :? E96 r@33=6DE@?6 s:DEC:4E]k^AmkAmw6 AFC492D65 E96 r@33=6DE@?6 q2C U2>Aj vC:== :? a__a[ 2?5 :EVD >@DE=J @A6? 5FC:?8 E96 2C6?2VD DA@CE:?8 6G6?ED]k^Am kAm%96 @E96C EH@ 3F:=5:?8D[ :? A@@C 4@?5:E:@? E@ 368:? H:E9[ 92G6 366? G242?E 2?5 56E6C:@C2E:?8 E9C@F89@FE r2CCVD @H?6CD9:A] k^AmkAmr2CC 3@F89E E96 E9C66\DE@CJ 3F:=5:?8 2E ``g\`a_ $@FE9 !2C< :? a__b] %96 `geh 3F:=5:?8 H2D @C:8:?2==J 9@>6 E@ E96 qC@H? U2>Aj |4rFE496@? qF772=@ qC2DD u@F?5CJ] p DF446DD:@? @7 3=24<D>:E9D 7@==@H65 7@C ?62C=J 2 46?EFCJ] r2CC AFC492D65 E96 3F:=5:?8 7@C S`d_[___ D9@CE=J 27E6C E96 562E9 @7 t5H2C5 #F5?:4<:[ H9@D6 qF772=@ q=24<D>:E9:?8 D9@A 925 366? 2 >2:?DE2J 7@C ?62C=J d_ J62CD]k^Am kAm%96 7@FC\DE@CJ 3F:=5:?8 2E ``_ $@FE9 !2C< – 2 D6C:6D @7 3F:=5:?8D 25565 @? @G6C E96 J62CD E92E 6IE6?5 ?62C=J 92=7H2J 5@H? x==:?@:D $EC66E – H2D AFC492D65 3J r2CC :? a__g 7@C Sd__[___] %96 `gda 3F:=5:?8[ H:E9 42DE\:C@? >@=5:?8D 2?5 D:==D 2?5 2 42DE\:C@? DE@C67C@?E[ H2D 7:CDE 9@>6 E@ v6@C86 |F8C:586 U2>Aj $@? $E62> q2<6CJ] %96 4@>A2?J >256 92C5E24< – 2 EJA6 @7 3:D4F:E – 7@C E96 &?:@? pC>J 5FC:?8 E96 r:G:= (2C] k^Am A view of the deteriorating boarded-up businesses between Mississippi and Illinois streets in the Cobblestone District on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News kAmr2CC 3@F89E E96 3F:=5:?8 7C@> E96 !9@6?:I s:6 r2DE:?8 r@>A2?J[ H9:49 4=@D65 :ED 564256D=@?8 @A6C2E:@? E92E :?4=F565 2 >249:?6 D9@A :? E96 7C@?E 92=7 @7 E96 3F:=5:?8 2?5 2 7@F?5CJ :? E96 324<]k^Am kAm(9:=6 E96 3F:=5:?8D 92G6 D2E :5=6[ r2CC 92D 366? 3C@F89E E@ w@FD:?8 r@FCE 2 ?F>36C @7 E:>6D 36EH66? a__h 2?5 a_a_ 7@C 72:=:?8 E@ >2:?E2:? E96 EH@ G242?E 3F:=5:?8D]k^Am kAm$6G6? D6A2C2E6 4@FCE 24E:@?D 92G6 @44FCC65 2E ``g $@FE9 !2C< – EH@ :? a__h 2?5 7:G6 :? a_`d[ H96? r2C?6J @C56C65 r2CC E@ >@E932== E96 3F:=5:?8 3J C6A2:C:?8 E96 C@@7 2?5 D62=:?8 E96 3F:=5:?8 7C@> E96 6=6>6?ED] r2CC D2:5 96 DA6?E 2C@F?5 Sb_[___ E@ 4@>A=J[ 3FE EH@ 6IA@D65 3C:4< H2==D 724:?8 2? 2==6J 92G6 4@?E:?F65 E@ 4CF>3=6]   k^Am kAmx? a_`_[ r2CC 8@E E96 4:EJVD 2AAC@G2= E@ 56>@=:D9 E96 QD>:E9J[Q 2 4@CCF82E65 >6E2= 2?5 7:C6AC@@7 `hbf 255:E:@? E@ E96 3=24<D>:E9 D9@A]  k^Am kAmQ%92E 92AA6?65 H:E9 7F== <?@H=6586 @7 E96 qC@H? 25>:?:DEC2E:@? 2?5 D9@F=5 ?6G6C 92G6 366? 2AAC@G65[Q D2:5 %:> %:6=>2?[ 6I64FE:G6 5:C64E@C @7 r2>A2:8? 7@C vC62E6C qF772=@ w:DE@CJ[ pC49:E64EFC6 U2>Aj rF=EFC6] k^Am kAmw@FD:?8 r@FCE 24E:@?D :? a_`b 2?5 a_`d 7@C465 r2CC E@ >2<6 >2D@?CJ C6A2:CD 2?5 E2<6 @E96C DE@A82A >62DFC6D 2E ``_ $@FE9 !2C<] k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mVs6>@=:E:@? 3J ?68=64EVk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAm%96 4:EJ D2JD >@C6 ?665D E@ 92AA6?]k^Am kAmQ(6 92G6 E@ 5@ 2 DE23:=:K2E:@?[Q D2:5 r@>6C7@C5[ E96 A6C>:E 2?5 :?DA64E:@? 4@>>:DD:@?6C] QxEVD E96 @?=J E9:?8 E92E :D 8@:?8 E@ D2G6 E9:D 3F:=5:?8 C:89E ?@H]Qk^AmkAmu:==>@C6 r@F?4:= |6>36C |:E496== }@H2<@HD<: 42==D :E Q56>@=:E:@? 3J ?68=64E]Qk^Am kAmQx?DA64E:@?D 92D 5@?6 :ED ;@3[ HC:EE6? :E FA 2AAC@AC:2E6=J 2?5 8:G6? 2== E96 5@4F>6?E2E:@? E92E :D ?66565 3J E96 4@FCE[Q }@H2<@HD<: D2:5 23@FE ``_ $@FE9 !2C<] Qw@FD:?8 r@FCE :D E@ 3=2>6 7@C E9:D] xE :D E96 4@FCE E@ C6>65:2E6 E96D6 :DDF6D 2?5 9@=5 =2?5=@C5D 244@F?E23=6 7@C E96:C AC@A6CE:6D[ 2?5 E9:D 92D 366? 2 A6C6??:2= AC@3=6> 7@C @G6C 2 564256]Qk^Am kAm%92E D6?D6 @7 7CFDEC2E:@? :D D92C65 3J E96 r@33=6DE@?6 s:DEC:4E qFD:?6DD vC@FA]k^AmkAmQ*@F =@@< 2C@F?5 E96 ?6:893@C9@@5 2?5 D66 H92EVD 8@?6 @?[ DE2CE:?8 7C@> E96 @E96C 6?5 @7 E96 3=@4< E@ r2?2=D:56 E@ ~9:@ $EC66E[ 2?5 E96? J@F 92G6 E9:D :? E96 46?E6C @7 :E[Q D2:5 s2?:6= *@F?8[ H9@ H@C<D :? E96 5:DEC:4E 2D 2 A=2??6C H:E9 r!{i pC49:E64EFC6[ t?8:?66C:?8 U2>Aj !=2??:?8]k^Am kAms6G6=@A6C $2> $2G2C:?@ :D 4@?46C?65 23@FE H2E6C 86EE:?8 :?E@ E96 3F:=5:?8] u2==:?8 3C:4<D[ 96 D2:5[ 92G6 H@CD6?65 :? C646?E >@?E9D] k^Am kAmQpD D@>6@?6 H9@ 92D :?G6DE65 E6?D @7 >:==:@?D @7 5@==2CD :? E9:D ?6:893@C9@@5 E@ AC6D6CG6 @E96C 3F:=5:?8D 2C@F?5 96C6[ :EVD 5:D2AA@:?E:?8 2?5 D25 E92E E96 >@DE 9:DE@C:4 3F:=5:?8D :? E96 >@DE 9:DE@C:4 5:DEC:4E 92G6 366? :? 5:DC6A2:C 367@C6 @FC 6J6D 2?5 ?@E9:?8 92D 366? 5@?6 23@FE :E[Q $2G2C:?@ D2:5]k^AmkAmQ(6 ;FDE H2?E E96 3F:=5:?8 AC6D6CG65[ 9@A67F==J 56G6=@A65 2?5 C6EFC?65 E@ :ED ?2EFC2= 362FEJ[Q 25565 |2CJ q6E9 !@AA[ G:46 AC6D:56?E @7 4@>>F?:42E:@?D 7@C {232EE &$p]k^AmkAmkDEC@?8mr2CC 5:D>:DD6D 4C:E:4:D>Dk^DEC@?8mk^Am kAmr2CC[ 2 D6=7\6>A=@J65 6?G:C@?>6?E2= D4:6?E:DE[ D2:5 96 925 2 G:D:@? E@ 3F:=5 2 8C66? 6?6C8J 4@?5@>:?:F> 2?5 9@E6= H96? 96 AFC492D65 E96 3F:=5:?8 2 5@K6? J62CD 28@] k^Am kAmw6 5@6D?VE A=2? @? 4@>A=J:?8 H:E9 E96 4:EJVD C6BF6DE E@ AFE S`__[___ :?E@ 2? 6D4C@H 244@F?E E@ 9:C6 2 4@?EC24E@C E@ DE23:=:K6 E96 3F:=5:?8]k^AmkAmQ%96 3@EE@> =:?6 :D[ 6G6CJE9:?8 E92E :D 92AA6?:?8 :D 32D:42==J 2== D>@<6[Q r2CC D2:5] Qq642FD6 H96? E96 D>@<6 4=62CD H6 2C6 8@:?8 E@ 8@ 29625 H:E9 E96 AC@;64E]Qk^Am kAmr2CC 4@?4=F565 A2CE @7 E96 3F:=5:?8 @? x==:?@:D $EC66E H@F=5 92G6 E@ 36 56>@=:D965 H96? 96 AFC492D65 :E] w6 36=:6G6D 96 :D 36:?8 3=2>65 7@C E96 72:=FC6 @7 A2DE @H?6CD E@ >2:?E2:? E96 AC@A6CEJ] k^Am kAmQ%96J 5:5?VE 962E ``_ $@FE9 !2C< @C 5@ 2?JE9:?8 7@C @G6C d_ J62CD H96? x 3@F89E E96>[Q r2CC D2:5]k^AmkAmr2CC D2:5 E96 3F:=5:?8 925 2 42G65\:? C@@7 2?5 @E96C 52>286 7C@> E96 7FC?246D E92E D>6=E65 2=F>:?F>[ 2=F>:?F> 2==@JD 2?5 >28?6D:F>] k^Am kAmy:> w@96?D66[ H9@ 7@C E96 A2DE bd J62CD 92D @A6C2E65 2 DA64:2=EJ 2FE@>@E:G6 C6DE@C2E:@? D9@A @? x==:?@:D[ 28C66D E96 AC@3=6>D 3682? =@?8 367@C6 r2CC]k^AmkAmQ%96 3F:=5:?8 H2D AC@323=J ?68=64E65 =@?8 367@C6 E96 4FCC6?E @H?6C[ =@?8 367@C6 E96 @H?6C 367@C6 9:>[ 2?5 =@?8 367@C6 E92E[Q w@96?D66 D2:5]k^Am kAmw6 42==65 E96 H@C< r2CC 92D 5@?6 FA E@ ?@H 2 Qq2?5\p:5]Q  k^Am Darryl Carr, right, shows a Cobblestone District building he owns to Peter Grace of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, left, in August 2010. News file photo kAmr2CCVD A=2?D 42== 7@C C6E2:?:?8 E96 EH@ 4@C?6C 3F:=5:?8D 2E `_g 2?5 ``_ $@FE9 !2C<] qFE E96 7C2:=EJ @7 E96 3F:=5:?8D H:== C6BF:C6 <66A:?8 E96 724256 3FE E2<:?8 5@H? E96 C6DE @7 E96 H2==D D@ E96J 42? 36 C62DD6>3=65 H:E9 7C6D9 >@CE2C[ r2CC D2:5]k^Am kAmpCE:DE:4 C6?56C:?8D 7@C r2CCVD AC@;64E D9@H E96 3F:=5:?8D H:E9 2? 6?4=@D65 C@@7E@A 82C56?] %H@ 3F:=5:?8D 2=@?8 x==:?@:D H@F=5 36 C6>@G65 E@ >2<6 H2J 7@C &?:EJ %@H6CVD 6?EC2?46]k^AmkAmr2CC H:== ?665 2 96:89E G2C:2?46 7C@> E96 +@?:?8 q@2C5 2?5 2AAC@G2=D 7C@> E96 !C6D6CG2E:@? q@2C5 2?5 E96 !=2??:?8 q@2C5] w6 D2:5 96VD 4@?7:56?E 23@FE 9:D 492?46D]k^Am kAmr2CC[ H9@ D2:5 96 92D :?G6DE65 9:D =:76 D2G:?8D :? E96 AC@;64E[ <?@HD >2?J H:== D66 E96 D<JD4C2A6C AC@;64E 2D 2 A:6\:?\E96\D<J F?56CE2<:?8]k^Am kAmw@96?D66 :D @?6 @7 E96>] k^AmkAmQs2CCJ=VD 2 5C62>6C 2?5 H6 46CE2:?=J ?665 5C62>6CD[ 3FE x E9:?< 96VD 5C62>:?8 2 =:EE=6 E@@ 36J@?5 H92EVD A@DD:3=6[Q w@96?D66 D2:5] Qx 42?VE D66 E92E 7:EE:?8 :?E@ E96 ?6:893@C9@@5]Qk^AmkAmr2CC[ H9@ :D ?@E 2 56G6=@A6C[ 5:D28C66D] k^AmkAmQx7 E96J H2?E E@ D2J x 42?VE 5@ :E[ H6== E96J D2:5 E92E 23@FE t=@? |FD<[ E@@[Q r2CC D2:5] Qt=@? |FD< ?6G6C 3F:=E 2 DA246D9:A @C EC2G6=65 E@ DA246] %92EVD D@>6@?6 H9@ 7@==@H65 9:D 5C62>] x7 J@F 5@?VE 92G6 2 5C62> E@ 7@==@H J@FVC6 ?@E 8@:?8 E@ 8@ 2?JH96C6]Qk^Am kAm%:6=>2? 5@F3ED E96 A=2? H:== 6G6C 36 >@C6 E92? D<6E496D @? A2A6C] k^AmkAmQxEVD =2F8923=6[ 2?5 2?J 56G6=@A6C :? qF772=@ <?@HD E92E[Q %:6=>2? D2:5] QqF772=@ H@F=5 36 36EE6C D6CG65 :7 w@FD:?8 r@FCE 2?5 E96 qC@H? 25>:?:DEC2E:@? H@F=5 4@>A6= 9:> E@ 7:I E92E 3F:=5:?8]Qk^Am Mark Sommer covers preservation, development, the waterfront, culture and more. He's also a former arts editor at The News. 0 comments Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story The Editorial Board: Owner of Cobblestone District buildings can’t ignore city’s calls to keep up property The Cobblestone Historic Preservation District earned that designation for its importance as a small slice of the Buffalo waterfront’s mercant… City, preservationists eye new approach to repair neglected properties Under their plan, buildings could be placed in a court-appointed receivership, with Preservation Buffalo Niagara in control. Mayor promises a 'tough, tough plan' for going after neglectful building owners The mayor issued his warning while standing at 435 Ellicott St., where a Civil War-era building once stood. An emergency demolition was ordere… Razing of Cobblestone building allowed But city appeals Housing Court ruling as calls arise to preserve structure A 19th century brick building in Buffalo’s Cobblestone District — considered by a Preservation Board member as perhaps the district’s most imp… Court orders $13,500 in fines for owner of deteriorated Cobblestone building Owner vows to submit redevelopment Housing Court could enact stiff penalty over two Cobblestone properties A judge Monday ordered the owner of two 19th-century brick buildings in the Cobblestone District to return to Housing Court on April 9 over th… Watch Now: Related Video The 10 safest cities in the United States A1 Minute! September 18, 2026: Maymont’s Bier-Garden returns; Virginia Wine Month; Top Five A1 Minute! September 18, 2026: Maymont’s Bier-Garden returns; Virginia Wine Month; Top Five A1 Minute! August 31, 2026: High school football; Tecovas steps into Short Pump; Amazon's drone delivery coming to Richmond A1 Minute! August 31, 2026: High school football; Tecovas steps into Short Pump; Amazon's drone delivery coming to Richmond August 26, 2026: Fall Festival Guide 2026 August 26, 2026: Fall Festival Guide 2026
The Editorial Board: Owner of Cobblestone District buildings can’t ignore city’s calls to keep up property The Cobblestone Historic Preservation District earned that designation for its importance as a small slice of the Buffalo waterfront’s mercant…
City, preservationists eye new approach to repair neglected properties Under their plan, buildings could be placed in a court-appointed receivership, with Preservation Buffalo Niagara in control.
Mayor promises a 'tough, tough plan' for going after neglectful building owners The mayor issued his warning while standing at 435 Ellicott St., where a Civil War-era building once stood. An emergency demolition was ordere…
Razing of Cobblestone building allowed But city appeals Housing Court ruling as calls arise to preserve structure A 19th century brick building in Buffalo’s Cobblestone District — considered by a Preservation Board member as perhaps the district’s most imp…
Court orders $13,500 in fines for owner of deteriorated Cobblestone building Owner vows to submit redevelopment
Housing Court could enact stiff penalty over two Cobblestone properties A judge Monday ordered the owner of two 19th-century brick buildings in the Cobblestone District to return to Housing Court on April 9 over th…
A1 Minute! August 31, 2026: High school football; Tecovas steps into Short Pump; Amazon's drone delivery coming to Richmond
A1 Minute! August 31, 2026: High school football; Tecovas steps into Short Pump; Amazon's drone delivery coming to Richmond
