Partner Marc Romanowski was recently featured in Buffalo Business First, representing a local developer in a dispute with the Village of Williamsville.
The case involves 20 South Long Street Associates, an affiliate of local developer CRS Properties. Their construction of an upscale apartment building stalled in 2019 due to financing issues. These challenges were later exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving only a four-story elevator shaft on the property.
In November 2024, the village ordered either immediate construction or demolition of the project, imposing a daily fine of $1,000. According to Mr. Romanowski’s court petition, demolition would cost $2 million, while completion requires $3-4 million currently unavailable to the developers.
Mr. Romanowski explained that the developers need additional time to secure financing, as they have been continuously working on finding different ways to get the project restarted and move the construction forward.
The petition filed in the state Supreme Court argues the village’s “unfinished structures” ordinance is “unconstitutionally vague” and exceeds the village’s authority, as the structure is on private land and poses no safety risk.
Visit Buffalo Business First to read more about the case as it develops.