Creative Structure Solutions (CSS) is closer to converting a vacant, historic North Buffalo library into luxury apartments. David Pawlik’s firm has a contract to purchase the Fairfield Library at 1659 Amherst Street from the City and rehabilitate it into five apartments and a small amount of office space.

Time is running out for this local landmark, built in 1863 and known as the Wilkeson House. It is owned by the Public Bridge Authority, which has plans to demolish it and several other properties in order to make way for an expanded Peace Bridge Plaza. Interested parties were invited to acquire and remove any of the seven Busti properties that would be demolished; proposals to do so had to be submitted by April 26, and any structures purchased with a refundable deposit of $10,000 must be removed by June 29. The possibility of such removals—which would be complex and expensive—seems unlikely. At press time, we had not heard that any of the Busti houses were being preserved in this manner.

Six townhouses have been completed at 363 E. Ferry Street. The attractive, $1.35 million project was developed by Second Chance Ministries and is a women’s facility. It occupies a formerly vacant lot that was purchased from the City last fall for $14,400.