Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — After 129 years in Syracuse’s North End, the Convent of St. Anthony is set to be demolished as soon as possible, city officials said.
Originally built in 1896, the former house of the Sisters of St. Francis caught fire roughly two weeks ago. The building is one of six structures on a large plot at the corner of Court Street and Grant Boulevard. From 1961 to 1988, it housed Maria Regina College, a Catholic junior college for women. In 2012, it was converted into a Roman Catholic church.
Firefighters battled the flames for more than 24 hours, but the fire caused extensive damage to the former convent.
The fire was not the only factor that contributed to the building’s deterioration. In recent years, it had been left vacant, attracting homeless individuals and vandals who further damaged the property to the point of looking unrecognizable from the past.
Local Syracuse resident Carlton Williams said that the building was too neglected for a major landmark.
“The building had a lot of great history here,” Williams stated. “The building should have been kept up better. And it is really sad because most of the people who were there remember having many great memories in the building.”
Since the fire, the city has issued an emergency demolition order. Police also continue to investigate the cause, as officials suspect it may have been intentionally set which leads to a probable cause of arson.
The demolition and associated costs will be covered by Mark Congel, the city’s neighborhood and business developer. However, the process is expected to face complications due to the extent of the damage and the building’s attachment to two other structures, including a historic chapel.
Syracuse resident Reginald Leflore said that the building should be repurposed in other ways that bring back the historical factor of the buildings.
“It looks like they can salvage a good portion of it,” Leflore said. “I think they should salvage as much as they can to keep it historical.”
Before the fire, plans to convert the buildings into senior housing were in motion, but their future is now uncertain. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and what comes next after the demolition is still unclear.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Historic Syracuse convent to be demolished after fire
Jack Watson: The Convent of St. Anthony has been a staple in Syracuse’s North End for nearly 130 years. The former college turned Roman Catholic convent is now being demolished after it caught on fire. Local resident Carlton Williams.
Carlton Williams: It’s really sad because most of the people who were there remember have many great memories in the building.
Jack Watson: The convent, which was built in 1896, had been heavily damaged by thieves and vandals in recent years, leaving the building unrecognizable. Another resident, Reginald LeFlore.
Reginald LeFlore: I think they should try to salvage as much as they can to keep it historical.
Jack Watson: City officials have classified the abandoned convent as a danger to public health and safety, and police are currently investigating if the fire was caused intentionally. With NCC News, I’m Jack Watson.