Syracuse's north side residents air their frustrations the fire-damaged building on Maria Regina campus
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — The big north side fire is out, but there are still simmering questions about the safety and future of the Maria Regina College campus. The Washington Square Neighborhood Association had a meeting for residents to air out their concerns and frustrations about losing the Motherhouse.
'The government can do a better job holding these private owners accountable,' Bonnke Sekarore said.
Several city officials, from Chief of Fire Michael Monds to Deputy Commissioner in the Department of Water Robert Brandt to Councilor Marty Nave, answered questions throughout the evening.
Katherine Scott, a woman who has lived on the north side for over 70 years, said she wanted to find out more about what will happen to the Maria Regina campus, a place she has always considered an iconic symbol of the community.
'I think, if you talk to pretty much anybody on the north side, they had been on there, or somebody in their family had participated in services there…so it really has a wonderful, wonderful history,' Scott said.
Scott said she hopes officials will invoke stronger safety protocols for the remaining buildings on campus.
'…because I care deeply about the Franciscan campus and also want to make sure that there can be redevelopment done,' she said.
The Motherhouse will be demolished, but the city said the property owner's timeline for doing so is still being determined. Chief Monds added that the fire department is still investigating the cause of the fire.
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