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Students and citizens supporting historic preservation for the Turtle gathered for a photo after Wednesday's city council meeting.
The indigenous community, with the help of Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) and other well-meaning activists, is fighting to save the Turtle.
The building, designed by renowned indigenous architect Dennis Sun Rhodes, opened less than 50 years ago and has been shuttered longer than it functioned.
Still, it had a lasting impact on the lives of people like Jordan Smith, who lives on the Tuscarora Nation and educates people about his culture as well as Jessica Forgette, who leads the Native American students club at Niagara Falls High School.
Last night, the city council agreed to schedule a public hearing on March 6 to designate the structure for Historic Preservation.
Niagara Falls Redevelopment bought the building at 25 Rainbow Blvd. more than 25 years ago, painted it a drab tan, diminished the Turtle’s tail and has let it rot in place since.
In 2017, NFR floated a plan for a 16-story, $205 million hotel on the site. It received no support from the city, with officials noting zoning limits the building to 12 stories.
The current fervor to Save the Turtle has risen from Preservation Buffalo Niagara with the backing of local activists like Cherrish Beals and Carl Skompinski.
Skompinski grew up in the shadow of Buffalo’s Central Terminal and has advocated for its preservation and restoration for decades, a plan that is finally coming to life, first with stabilization work and now with actual construction.
A highlight from last night’s meeting was 17 people signed up to speak on the Turtle issue. Since the Turtle was an information item, not an action item, the speakers were moved to the end of the meeting.
Most impressive were members of the Native American students club who passionately advocated for a building that has been shuttered since before they were born.
Skompinski spoke about Central Terminal restoration success serving as a blueprint for Turtle salvation.
PBN’s Brandon Kennedy, lead preservationist and architectural historian cautioned the council about not acting arbitrarily to decline the designation because it could be subject to legal repercussions.
