BUFFALO, NEW YORK, US — Demolition has started on a former grain elevator owned by Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) in Buffalo, New York, US, that was damaged by a windstorm last winter, after an appeals court judge denied a temporary restraining order by preservationists to stop the work, the Buffalo News reported.

A large section of wall of the 125-year-old Great Northern Elevator building collapsed in the storm, and ADM said it was a safety hazard and beyond repair. The building has not functioned as a grain elevator for 40 years.

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture launched a legal battle to save the building and say they are not giving up their efforts. Since demolition is expected to take nearly eight months, the group said it has submitted documents to the Appellate Division of the Fourth Judicial Department of New York State Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order.

The elevator had storage capacity of 2.5 million bushels and consists of 48 steel bins that are enclosed in brick.