City orders Hostel Buffalo Niagara to cease operations
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The City of Buffalo slapped several notices on the front door of Hostel Buffalo Niagara in the Theatre District, ordering them to cease all operations.
It happened late Wednesday morning while three guests were staying inside and five more were slated to check-in later in the day.
This has been an ongoing saga between Hostel leaders and the owner of their property, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA).
The city claims an inspector and National Grid walkthrough of the building revealed there was a major electrical hazard putting the building in “imminent danger.”
Wednesday around Noon, the power was still on, but it’s since been cut.
Hostel employees say they were blindsided by the immediate closure. A city project manager was on site during the afternoon, working to come up with a game plan for the eight guests who are displaced.
Hope Young-Watkins, BURA’s senior director of programs, could not pinpoint the exact problem with the electrical system when asked at the time.
The City of Buffalo had wanted the Hostel to vacate by April 15 so they could fix it up, begin construction and sell it off. However, the two sides have been at odds agreeing to a specific date. The city is now saying this is expediting its construction timeline.
Latest Local News
Seneca Nation issues health alert for Allegheny River
Ex-DEA agent Bongiovanni guilty on 2 counts, but legal team ‘overjoyed’ as jury fails to reach verdict on most serious charges
Rain and wind push Friday Bisons game to Saturday; doubleheader now on deck
Ahead of Buffalo debut, country singer Larry Fleet holds on to blue-collar roots
West Seneca students walk out of school to protest teacher layoffs
Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
