This letter is in regard to the dilapidated eyesore building (the “former Eagles Crest property,” as it seems to have no name predating 2018) at Liberty and Market streets.

I watched the entirety of the June 10 RDA meeting video regarding its future.

First, the first 25 minutes or so involves former and present city leadership arguing with the RDA members largely about procedure.

Around that point, the only voice that mattered at that meeting spoke. It was the voice of the owner of Christie’s, Chris Arford. He stated very clearly that the building is an imminent disaster for his legitimate, taxpaying business. Mold is everywhere outside. The building stinks. The roof collapsed. It’s decaying.

As another business-owning friend told me, if that was happening anywhere else, he would have the city after him about it. But not in this case — because this is a city-owned (ahem… RDA-owned … as if the RDA is not the city) property. And to be fair, the RDA has a demo bid and was ready to get on with it and they were very clear their concern was its effect on adjacent structures.

Conversely, instead of anyone involved with this “nonprofit” reflecting on the impact this building is having, they spent the next half an hour absolutely unconcerned about the reality of the situation. Completely dismissive. Who cares? This is their pet project. Don’t let reality get in the way.

Next in the video came the crying. Crying about a dilapidated building. The treasurer of the “nonprofit” began to give an absurd, hyperbolic conception of the development of this project. At this point, no one in the RDA asked for an estimate on the cost of this rehabilitation. Apparently that wasn’t important. The RDA did ask why, suddenly, when the demo bids went out, there is now a sudden concern for the building.

Well, that’s because it isn’t about the building. The building is a vessel.

Luckily, we can look at the obscene design presented and we can estimate. It is a 9,500-square-foot project with an outdoor plaza, garden, vendor stalls, coffee shop, cooking kitchen, et al. In Erie, there is coincidentally an active and controversial “Bayfront Market House” project recently approved by city council. It is a 27,000-square-foot new construction that will cost $14 million.

If we take the easy road and compare apples with apples, the Warren project will cost an estimated $4 million to $5 million.

We also find out one of the real facts about this property. As the treasurer said, I quote, it is “prime property.” We also find out that they have no investment, no private funders. Their whole goal is to pursue grants. Grants can be private or public, but I think we all know which one is being pursued. This is a “preservation nonprofit” for a reason. Color me shocked.

Mind you, the design strips absolutely every historical element of the facade the same way Hudson did with the exception of the eagles. It looks just like any other newly constructed building.

Finally, a motion was presented to counter-offer against the RDAs proposal. The treasurer asked for not three years but five (!) years to develop the property. The proponents want this property to rot for five years! And then, with no financial duress to them, if they don’t do it, they give it back to the RDA/city. Meanwhile, what do adjacent properties do? Well, they sacrifice themselves for this ego-trip. An ego trip is all this is.

And of course, there are people who financially benefit from this nonprofit. Prime property, jobs, cheap rents, emotional power-plays.

At last, when the RDA had the chance to respect the only voice that was operating in reality, they tucked tail and took a motion to delay the demolition and all present members seconded.

So the building rots, injustice occurs to Christie’s, the RDA proves itself unable to do what needs to be done, and the “nonprofit” continues to disregard reality for some “prime property” and an ego-trip.

Michael Hultin is a Warren resident.