[FONT=Verdana]The demolition of Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium is just weeks away.

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation approved a $1.5-million contract to tear down the massive structure to make room for a Bass Pro store and additional waterfront development.

Canal Corporation Chairman Jordan Levy says work will begin in earnest next month and the public can expect to see the Aud come down piece by piece.

"We can't implode it. The Hamburg drain runs under the arena, so we got to be very careful," Levy said.

The demolition contract with Ontario Specialty Contracting calls for some design elements from the Aud's facade to be saved and to be used in a public memorial to the building.

Officials say the cost of demolishing the Aud is less than originally estimated.[/FONT]