YNN.com

Syracuse / Oswego / Auburn

Change region

  62º

Updated 03/04/2010 05:58 AM

Debate over future of crumbling building

By: Web Staff

Who is going to pay for it? That seems to be the question holding up the demolition of a partially collapsed building on Syracuse's North State Street. City and state officials met with the property owner on Wednesday. Our Kat De Maria joined us from State Street with more.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.


SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Concerns over cost appear to be holding up the demolition of a partially collapsed building on Syracuse's North State Street.

Route 81 north has been closed and city commuters have been under siege since Friday. The state DOT shut down the highway because it's too close to the building.

In a meeting with city and state leaders Wednesday, the property owner refused to allow the state to tear down the building. The state would seize his land to recoup the cost of the demolition and he says he can't let that happen.

The city's lawyer says Syracuse has a demolition order and can help the state get on the property, but she says city leaders want a guarantee the state would pay for the project.

State transportation officials could not be reached for comment.