Cobblestone District’s future after two-alarm fire puts it in spotlight

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — This week’s two-alarm fire at 110-118 South Park Avenue put Buffalo’s Cobblestone neighborhood in the spotlight.

As officials work to determine next steps, the properties, which are among the oldest in Buffalo, remain at the center of a legal dispute with the city seeking eminent domain from owner Darryl Carr.

On Thursday the 7th, news anchor Jeff Russo checked in with businesses and stakeholders in the Cobblestone District to see what they would like to see happen at the fire site.

Samantha Mallare, manager of The Draft Room at 79 Perry Street, directly across from the KeyBank Center, says the fire sent shockwaves through the neighborhood.

“It was really tragic and heartbreaking,” Mallare said. “It was a little scary for everyone here, and really sad too.”

The Draft Room opened in 2018 and has become a staple in what Mallare sees as a growing business community.

“I know a lot of companies are working really hard to make this place a really cool place,” Mallare said. “We’re very busy for KeyBank events. It’s a fun place to come.”

Mallare believes the building damaged by fire Tuesday is an important part of the neighborhood.

“I would like something that could just add to the area. I would like to see part of the building saved, like the Draft Room inside, the little rooms that show the history,” Mallare said.

“It’s right in the heart of the district and it’s a key parcel,” said Darren Kempner, NFTA director of grants and development.

Kempner is helping lead the NFTA’s redevelopment of the DL&W terminal, which is happening just steps from Tuesday’s fire.

“These older buildings require a lot of care and maintenance, but we are investing in them,” Kempner said.

Kempner says work on the first floor of the DL&W terminal to create a new subway station should be completed by the end of the year. The project represented an investment of $51 million.

“We look forward to welcoming the public back into the building for the first time since the 1950s,” Kempner said.

Once the new subway station is completed, the focus will be on converting the second floor of the DL&W terminal into a four-season indoor outdoor space.

“We’re going to connect to the arena with a pedestrian skybridge, that’s a key component,” Kempner said. “We’re going to open the outdoor deck for events. Inside will be spaces for makers, artists to sell their wares and of course food and drinks, just like any development in Buffalo.”

The redevelopment of the second floor of the terminal is currently in the design phase. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and take a few years.

Kempner says he’s happy to hear no one was injured in Tuesday’s fire and believes the future remains bright in the Cobblestone District.

“There are a lot of underutilized and vacant structures. The DL&W hangar is underutilized in our opinion and we would like to see those fully utilized and the vacant parcels developed into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood.”