SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Crews have demolished the fire-ravaged Motherhouse on the campus of the former Maria Regina College on the City’s North side. The City of Syracuse had announced the demolition effort on the former convent building on July 8. The Kimberly on Grant Boulevard — which owns the property at 1024 Court St. in […]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Crews have demolished the fire-ravaged Motherhouse on the campus of the former Maria Regina College on the City’s North side.
The City of Syracuse had announced the demolition effort on the former convent building on July 8.
The Kimberly on Grant Boulevard — which owns the property at 1024 Court St. in Syracuse — hired and paid for a demolition contractor, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced at the time.
City Code Enforcement condemned the four-story structure and ordered demolition on March 28. It was the scene of a fire that began on March 21 and burned for more than 24 hours.
Walsh’s office said it was in early July when the property owner reached an agreement for the demolition with Home Leasing, the future developer of the 14-acre campus, and engaged Hueber-Breuer Construction Co. Inc. of Syracuse and Lion Construction of DeWitt for the demolition effort.
The plan keeps the purchase agreement in place for Rochester–based Home Leasing to acquire the property to create more than 150 units of affordable senior housing in the other structures on the long vacant site.
“Demolition means we are moving one step closer to bringing this site back to a productive use. After the devastating fire and determination that demolition was needed, our next priority for the neighborhood was ensuring the plan to bring this site back to life stayed together,” Walsh said in the announcement. “I’m glad the parties reached an agreement that will get the demolition done and keep the senior housing project on track.”
Home Leasing hopes to be able to close financing for the housing project in October and start construction immediately following closing, Walsh’s office noted.
