Published on July 08, 2025
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced demolition of the fire ravaged Motherhouse on the former Maria Regina campus will begin this week. A demolition contractor hired and paid for by the property owner, the Kimberly on Grant Boulevard, began mobilizing equipment and materials for the demo on Monday. The project is expected to be completed in August.
City Code Enforcement condemned the four-story structure and ordered demolition on March 28. It was the scene of a fire that began on March 21 and burned for more than 24 hours.
Late last week, the property owner reached an agreement for the demolition with Home Leasing, the future developer of the 14-acre campus, and engaged Hueber Breuer and Lion Construction for the demolition. The plan keeps the purchase agreement in place for Home Leasing to acquire the property to create more than 150 units of affordable senior housing in the other structures on the long vacant site.
“Demolition means we are moving one step closer to bringing this site back to a productive use. After the devastating fire and determination that demolition was needed, our next priority for the neighborhood was ensuring the plan to bring this site back to life stayed together," said Mayor Walsh. "I’m glad the parties reached an agreement that will get the demolition done and keep the senior housing project on track."
Home Leasing hopes to be able to close financing for the housing project in October and start construction immediately following closing.
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