Buffalo's New Landmark: Preservation vs. Progress? | News

BUFFALO, NY -- Tuesday Buffalo's Common Council voted unanimously to designate the old, abandoned Erie Freight House as a landmark.

It's part of an effort by preservationists to save the building along the waterfront on Ohio Street where ships once unloaded items bound for railroad cars and canal boats.  It's been vacant for quite some time and was last used by a paper recycling company.

Common Councilmember Dave Franczyk tells 2 On-Your-Side there has been some interest from developers, but there are no firm plans for the site.

This development has some wondering if buildings should be given landmark status, without firm plans to develop what's left.

Click on the video link above to see a preservation vs. progress debate between local preservationist Tim Tielman and UB School of Architecture Chair Omar Khan.