Erie Canal Harbor Dev. takes ownership of Gen. Donovan State Office Bldg.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. recently took over the now-vacant Gen. Donovan State Office Building along the lower end of Main St. By taking ownership of the 148,000 s/f, eight-story building, asbestos remediation and, then, demolition can begin. The building could be demolished within the next 12 months. "This is another step in the re-building of our waterfront and the realization of the dream that will become Canal Side," said Jordan Levy, harbor development corporation chairman. The Donovan building along with its across-the-street neighbor, long-vacant Memorial Auditorium, are slated to be demolished to make way for Canal Side's anchor tenant, a 150,000 s/f Bass Pro Outdoor World store. Bass Pro is slated for the Aud while Benderson Development Co. is working with other related tenants for the Donovan site.