Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has announced that demolition work on the fire-damaged Motherhouse at the former Maria Regina campus is set to begin this week. The Kimberly on Grant Boulevard, which owns the property, has hired a demolition contractor to carry out the work. Equipment and materials were mobilized for the project starting Monday, with completion expected in August.
The city’s Code Enforcement condemned the four-story building and ordered its demolition following a fire that broke out on March 21 and burned for over 24 hours.
Last week, an agreement was reached between the property owner and Home Leasing, which plans to develop affordable senior housing on the site. Hueber Breuer and Lion Construction have been engaged for the demolition process. This plan maintains Home Leasing’s purchase agreement to acquire the property for creating over 150 units of affordable senior housing.
“Demolition means we are moving one step closer to bringing this site back to a productive use,” said Mayor Walsh. “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. I’m glad the parties reached an agreement that will get the demolition done and keep the senior housing project on track.”
Home Leasing aims to close financing for their project by October, with construction commencing immediately thereafter.
