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Council asks inspections to inventory vacant Rite Aid buildings for possible adaptive reuse
Summary
Council member brought forward concerns about multiple vacant Rite Aid properties after the company's Chapter 11 filing and asked the inspections department to inventory and inspect the sites to identify hazards and reuse options. The committee tabled the item for follow-up.
Council member Nokoski told the Committee on Community Development on Oct. 7 that Rite Aid's Chapter 11 filing has left multiple large retail buildings in Buffalo vacant and in some cases unsecured, and urged the inspections department to begin a coordinated inventory and inspection effort so owners and potential buyers understand outstanding violations.
“By Rite Aid's filing chapter 11, it took an amenity out of neighborhoods,” Nokoski said, adding that pharmacies are essential neighborhood services and that some vacant stores are attracting illegal activity and refuse. Nokoski urged the committee to bring inspection staff to the chamber to brief members on outstanding infractions and the department’s work with property owners.
Nokoski described the typical Rite Aid site as a suburban-format building with a large front setback and extensive parking, and said the city may be left with multiple large parcels that need adaptive reuse.
The committee considered the item and a motion to table was made and seconded; the transcript records the item as tabled for follow-up. Nokoski requested the matter remain on the committee agenda so inspections staff could report back with an inventory and enforcement status.
Next steps: The committee will hold the item for further briefing; the transcript does not include a date for the inspections report or a roll-call vote tally for the tabling motion.
