Public Statement re: Trico Plant #1 Building

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is appreciative of the opportunity to have met with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) director regarding the National Register-listed Trico Plant #1 Building.  Our part in the discussion involved the offer to assist in educating those involved as to the historic preservation opportunities regarding reuse of the building and the State and Federal regulatory processes involved with National Register Listed sites.  Additionally we offered to assist in seeking funding to finance a historic preservation adaptive reuse study for the Trico Plant #1 Building. 

The BNMC has declined these offers of assistance. We recognize and regret that, since the building is not protected by local landmark designation, the designated developer’s stated desire to demolish the building will likely occur without requesting permission from the city's Preservation Board.  We understand that an agreement for a phased demolition of the building has been executed and may soon be implemented.  It is also our understanding that no plans have been made for the immediate reuse of the site.  We are disappointed that this decision has been made without the availability of a reuse study determining the feasibility of a historic preservation rehab of the building.  Preservation Buffalo Niagara feels strongly that expending the time and resources to determine ways to preserve historic buildings in our community should be a priority when deciding the future of such buildings. Furthermore, we believe that a larger community discussion regarding decisions of this nature is required given the designated developer’s standing in the community as well as the historic significance of the Trico Plant #1 Building.

We wish that we would have had the opportunity to participate earlier in the discussions so that we could have provided access to such information before the decision for demolition was made. We continue to offer our assistance to provide education to the BNMC and any other building owner regarding preservation and preservation related matters such as historic preservation reuse studies. 

POSTPONED - Educational Public Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, March 13th, at 6:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Symphony Circle for a public meeting regarding the current status of the Trico Plant #1 Building.  The meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.

• Frank Kowsky, Architectural Historian and Professor, will give a short presentation on the history of the National Register designated building.  
• Tom Yots, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara, will discuss the option of a reuse study for the building and support of the regulatory process.      
• Question & Answer period with:

1. Paul McDonnell, Buffalo Preservation Board
2. Tom Yots, Preservation Buffalo Niagara
3. Frank Kowsky, Historian
4. Martin Wachadlo, Historian   

Representatives from the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Preservation Board, BNMC and other local organizations have been invited to attend.    

POSTPONED - Tuesday, March 13, 6:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
One Symphony Circle, Buffalo
Please park on the surrounding streets (free after 5pm)
instead of in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot.