Posted at: 02/19/2009 5:54 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 02/20/2009 1:53 AM
By: Ray Levato

$170,000 a month to maintain Midtown

Midtown Plaza is practically empty right now. But you won't believe what it's costing city taxpayers just to keep it running. City Hall confirmed that it's spending $170,000 a month just to maintain Midtown until its appointment with the wrecking ball.

News 10 NBC took you on an exclusive tour of Midtown Plaza after it closed in July. Midtown covers eight acres, and except for a couple of tenants waiting to re-locate, is empty. We asked city councilwoman Carolee Conklin what her reaction was when she learned that it's costing city taxpayers $170,000 a month for Midtown Plaza, including about $100,000 just for utilities. "It's a lot of money for empty building, yeah," said Conklin. "And because of all the heating and air conditioning equipment in what is basically six different buildings, you have to maintain 24/7 security and mechanics on the premises."

Conklin said these are unintended consequences. The city thought it would be further along by now.

Mayor Duffy said before jetting off to Washington Thursday the city is backed into a corner. "We had to purchase the building. We're responsible for it," said Mayor Duffy. "I don't like it. I don't like having to spend the money. But we don't have a choice. We still have to pay those costs until the building comes down. This is not something we could avoid doing. If we could, I would in a heartbeat. What it shows is why the owners have been trying to bail out of that building for so long."

"How will it play with taxpayers," asked Conklin. "I think they'd be justifiably upset."

The city wants to re-develop the Midtown site. PAETEC plans to build a new world headquarters there, maybe re-using Midtown Tower. And plans call for adding streets that were taken out when all those buildings were linked together with the two-story atrium that most people think of as Midtown Plaza.