Lawsuit Seeks to Save Conley House from Wrecking Ball

A planned apartment complex in Rochester’s Kutzky Park neighborhood has run into a legal snag - a lawsuit. The proposed 83 unit Nicolas Apartments project planned for the 700 and 800 blocks of West Center Street was approved in May by the City Council.

There has been controversy surrounding the project due to its lack of parking spaces and two houses that some residents say are historic. One will be moved by the developer and the other was offered to anyone who would pay to have it relocated. There were apparently no offers for the-called Conley House at 810 West Center and a demolition permit was approved last month.

A lawsuit that would prevent the demolition was filed last week by Kutzky resident Glenn Faith, who secured a temporary court order in his favor. The case was scheduled to be heard today to determine if the order should be extended, but that hearing was rescheduled on July 17th.

In his lawsuit, Faith argues the house - built in 1909 - is a “ significant historical and architectural resource “ in Rochester because its original owner was Kerry Conley, a local businessman who was on the City Council and served in the state legislature.