Mayor Vince Anello is hopeful a potential deal with developer Frank Parlato Jr. can turn the former Occidental Chemical Building into a parking lot by the start of the tourist season.

At the same time, city officials also are hailing a proposal that could bring some activity on a downtown site mostly known for its development failures.

“Many people have made the point that it’s an eyesore, and I totally agree with them,” Anello said. “If somebody else has a better idea that we can act on right now ... they should present it.”

Some members of the City Council agree something must be done at 360 Rainbow Blvd. — now known as One Niagara.

“I’ve been in that building,” Councilmember Sam Fruscione said. “It has to come down.”

On Monday, the City Council will consider a move to allow Anello to negotiate with Parlato, a principal in One Niagara LLC.

The goal of such a proposal would involve demolishing the existing building, filling the hole on the site once meant for an underground aquarium and developing public-private partnership to operate a parking lot on the site.

Parlato is expected to request the city bond for $2.1 million to cover the costs of demolition, filling a hole dug for the infamous AquaFalls project and creating a parking lot.

Anello said the proposal is not to identify the best use of the property, but to make the best out of a situation that still involves land controlled by a private owner.

Under the city’s charter, a private owner cannot operate parking facilities unless attached to a business.

Parlato’s building sits on prime real estate, according to one official who’d like to see a change, possibly with a different outcome.

“I would like to see it down, and I’d like to see the hole filled,” Councilmember Chris Robins said. “I don’t know if I’d like to see a parking lot.”

Councilmember Robert Anderson also called the site an eyesore, but said any deal made can’t put the city in any type of risk.

At least $250,000 in back taxes are owed on the property. A current figure was not available as calls to the city’s Division of Billing and Collection were not returned.

Fruscione believes the issue of back taxes owed at the property will be settled as part of the negotiations.

“I’m into tax amnesty, but I’m not into being taken advantage of,” he said.

Contact Aaron Besecker at 282-2311, Ext. 2263.