4 years ago
Saturday morning, the Seneca Nation of Indians began demolishing the H-O Oats grain elevators on their casino site in downtown Buffalo.
Preservationists have been waging a legal battle to try to save what they consider a historic landmark. Erie County has also been trying to stop the work on health and safety grounds, ordering the demolition company to stop and accusing the city of not granting the proper permits.
Saturday afternoon, protestors lead by Tim Tielman of the Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture, and Culture, held signs while the demolition work proceeded behind them.
"What are we demolishing it for? A bunch of slot machines," Tielman said.
During a Memorial Day commemoration event in Niagara Falls for Native Americans who have served in the United States military, Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder, Sr., called the grain elevators an "eyesore."
"We're just doing our business as we always do," Snyder said, "building this casino, hopefully on time."
Snyder said the Seneca Nation shared a demolition plan with the city, will meet safety guidelines for workers and nearby residents, and has a company monitoring air quality during the work. Snyder said the work will stop if they detect any problems with contaminants from the grain elevators.
"We will be good neighbors," Snyder said.
Friday afternoon, Erie County went to court to get a last minute restraining order to stop the demolition of the silos, but State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Makowski refused to grant it, in large part, because the land title has transferred to the Senecas and it is now sovereign territory.
"They raise those concerns, none of which were substantiated. To the contrary, a box of documents was shown to the judge today showing all kinds of environmental quality reviews, air quality reviews, and remedial efforts that are in place," said Mike Powers, Attorney for the City of Buffalo, speaking about the health and safety concerns.
"Assuming nothing bad happens with the demolition, then we'll be in court arguing the real underlying issue of whether the City of Buffalo granted their permits, that allowed that demolition to go forward, properly," said Erie County Attorney Larry Rubin. A court date of June 2 was set for the ongoing arguments.
Rubin said they'll also have environmental consultants monitoring the air quality at the site.
"We have approached the City cooperatively throughout the demolition process on the Nation's Buffalo Creek Territory, and have met or exceeded every regulation," says Rajat R. Shah, Senior Vice President for Corporate Development, Seneca Erie Gaming Corporation. "The City of Buffalo has authorized access to water from fire hydrants to help control dust, and the temporary closing of streets and sidewalks all to help us protect public health and safety during demolition."
At one point, the Senecas indicated they might preserve the grain elevators, using them as part of the casino design. According to their statement, the silo diameters are too limited in size for effective re-use, and there are issues with deterioration and cost to stabilize the structures.
Next week, the Senecas plan to unveil their casino design plans to the public.
