The moment we have dreaded is now upon our historic Prospect Hill- Columbus Park district. The Public Bridge Authority has refused without rhyme or reason to hold off on demolishing the eight properties they own on Busti including the 1863 land marked Wilkeson house.

None of us have even seen the proposed plaza expansion plan or the blue print for the new Duty Free Store where the Episcopal Church Home currently stands. We’ve had no opportunity to comment publicly on the design or learn if the required environmental processes has been followed. This evasive but intentional practice is a serious violation of our rights as taxpayers.

The people’s concerns have been dismissed by every elected official from the governor down. Mayor Brown has listened to our story but refuses to intervene to put a stop to this travesty. Today, the entire block on Busti was encircled with a chain link fence and dye testing of the sewer system began. Demolition is eminent.

I ask that you as members of this threatened historic district and as concerned preservationists stand with us by emailing Mayor Byron Brown and Corporation Counsel Tim Ball and ask them to hold the PBA accountable and to uphold the landmark laws of this city and the United States Department of the Interior and stop these unnecessary demolitions. There is not much Niagara District Councilman David Rivera can do if the city’s legal department refuses to become involved.

Stand with us, because once the bulldozers come, the West Side as we know it will be forever changed. Twenty-four acres of green space and residential landscape will be turned into a transportation depot with elevated ramps, exits, roadways, and parking lots.

We all know this would not be happening to Ashland Avenue residents, Allentown, or the Delaware District. We are being cherry-picked by politicians because they believe they can get away with it. Let’s prove them wrong!

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