Crews demolish Central Park Plaza

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Monday marks the end of an era for a plaza considered an eyesore in the Queen City. However, what will replace the problem property still remains a question.

Developers don’t know what will be built in the plaza. But they plan on having neighbors input about what they want to see built across the 27 acres.

For years, the plaza sat vacant. In May, Strickler Development, which is a part of Ciminelli Construction, bought the plaza for $800,000. The previous owner was ordered by State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to sell the neglected site.

Now that Ciminelli Construction is heading the brownfield revitalization, officials hope to have the 27-acre site ready for new development by the end of 2013.

Ciminelli Construction Vice President John Ciminelli said, “Our next step is to start the environmental remediation process, which will begin in early spring. It will take approximately a year. And at that time, we can start our planning to make this another one of Buffalo’s great success stories.”

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, “Today is a very happy day, to see this progress moving forward.”

Until the end of the year, the concrete will be crushed and reused.