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Silver Creek, New York - Asbestos contaminationand rodents, along with a hefty price tag, are what stands in the way of a necessary redevelopment of an abandoned former Buffalo-area school that could potentially reinvigorate the community's struggling business district.
The Village of Silver Creek, nestled on the shores of Lake Erie and located just outside of Buffalo, New York, is currently examining plans to either redevelop the former school building into apartments or raze the structure completely to make room for brand new commercial development.
However, the bigger picture remains that of economics: what is the best way to jumpstart the otherwise struggling business district? The abandoned, asbestos contaminated and rodent infested school is just the tip of the proverbial economic iceberg. Abandoned since 1979, the former school is a health threat in its current condition.
Before any work or redevelopment begins, the building must be decontaminated, asbestos removed and rendered safe for contractors. Not surprisingly, the indoor air quality has been compromised. Breathing in air contaminated with small asbestos particles can lead to several serious, oftentimes, lethal medical conditions including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma cancer. Further, breathing in air heavy with rodent droppings also poses significant risks to respiratory health.
According to Nick Piccolo, Mayor of the Village of Silver Creek, the cost with razing the school and preparing the property for a new build is roughly $4.5 million. Though investors are also eyeing the dilapidated school building for redevelopment into apartments, the cost of that project may be a hindrance to growth.
Silver Creek is facing an upward economic battle on a more global scale. With large corporations threatening to shut down local operations, potentially irrevocably damaging the area economy, Silver Creek must look to the future.
Perhaps the redevelopment of the former school is just the tipping point to inject necessary capital into the local economy that could lure additional investments from outside of the Village and spur investments by local business owners.
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