Progress seen in Kensington Heights demolition after more years, millions than expected

By Dan Herbeck | News Staff Reporter | Google+

on January 11, 2015 - 5:04 PM

, updated January 11, 2015 at 10:07 PM

Tearing down the old Kensington Heights public housing project vacant since 1980 has been long, expensive and frustrating for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.

It has been equally discouraging for those who live nearby and wonder why it takes so long to get things done in that part of the city.

But after years of scandal, lawsuits, indictments and escalating costs, the sixth and last tower could be taken down by the end of this summer, said Dawn E. Sanders-Garrett, the authoritys executive director.

This has been frustrating, Sanders-Garrett said. I definitely understand the feelings of people in the community who wish this had been done sooner. No one wants more than me to see this completed. I am looking forward to the positive economic boost that a redeveloped Kensington Heights can give to this community. Im excited.

The projects $9.8 million cost so far is more than three times what the authority intended to spend when the demolition work began in 2009, and it projects $1.5 million in additional costs before finishing the work. It has also spent millions from its cash reserves on the project, prompting complaints from a tenant representative on its board.

But now the last tower, near Erie County Medical Center, is all ready and cleared for demolition, Sanders-Garrett said.

Still, people such as Edward L. Wiley, 70, who lives near the site, say it seems that the work has taken forever.

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Progress seen in Kensington Heights demolition after more years, millions than expected