February 1996 Table Of Contents

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Delaware Ave. steeple update

By Tim Tielman

At a January hearing and subsequent discussions between lawyers for the various parties involved, a determination to save the steeples of the former Asbury Delaware United Methodist Church seemed to be gaining ground.

A point raised by Erie County Judge Michael D’Amico — whether the current tenant, The Missionary Church of Christ, was going to be an ‘end user’ and participate financially in the rehabilitation of the towers—seems to have been clarified somewhat by the Church’s subsequent declaration that it wants to remain at the site. Indeed, it is seeking a way to use the building while work on stabilizing and restoring the stone veneer takes place.

Questions remain about exactly how much money each party can contribute and to what extent the city is willing to use money otherwise tabbed for demolition (and perhaps never to be paid back) for “remediating the hazard” by stabilizing the veneer.

Judge D’Amico has set a hearing for Feb. 15 on extending his stay of the city demolition order.