Performing Arts High School

Ground is going to break soon on the new home for Performing Arts High School. It's part of the largest construction project in the history of the Queen City and comes in at $1,000,000,000...Hardly anything in the local blogosphere about it. I started investigating abandoned, boarded, derelict and vacant houses around some of the Phase One schools last year. I called it the School House Project. Not much has changed. Here in this little corner of Masten we have our dirty dozen - commercial buildings along Ferry Street and houses - that are crumbling and falling down within a block or two of this 30 million Phase Two project....I've written some very positive posts about the decision to re-locate BAVPA to Ferry Street...read more...

I met a few key players from BAVPA last year, Drew Kelley President of the Parents Association and Chris Byrd who coordinates BAVPA alumi activities...and received this letter from Chris the other day. Please consider stopping by to see what's happening one block from Main Street.

The trees in the third drawing represent plantings along Ferry Street.

click to enlarge

Here's the invite for next week....

Come See BAVPA'S Future New Home

Before the demo & rebuilding begins
Tuesday -- June 13th, 2006 -- 6:00 to 7:30pm

At the Former Traditional School - - 450 Masten Avenue

Yes, it really is happening! BAVPA is scheduled to move into its new home in less than 2 years after a $28 million rehab that includes new construction. Construction is scheduled to begin within 45-60 days. Learn how the former Traditional School will be transformed into a state of the art school for the arts. You can see what is there now and see what it will look like soon. You will be amazed! You'll laugh, you'll cry, it will move you…a new school for our kids!

The former Traditional School is bordered by Ferry, Masten, Woodlawn and Michigan/1 block east of Main Street.

Enter the school parking lot off Michigan and walk through thecourtyard to the cafeteria for a reception. Meet and greet fellow parents, students, teachers, alumni and community members. If you know of someone in the community who might be interested in knowing what' happening please invite them along. Artists, professors, musicians, business contacts; everyone in Buffalo knows someone.

Reception with refreshments served from 6:00-6:30pm in the cafeteria
Presentation starting at 6:30pm
Brief tours following presentation

These are exciting times for our school and the future is bright and full of opportunities. We will also be showing an idea for future fundraising (engraved bricks) and are looking for a few folks to help us organize it and get it underway. Join us for a night of communication, information and participation.

Regards,
Chrisopher Byrd
BAVPA Alumni Association President

We've assembled a team to watch over the project and make sure the 30 million integrates the surrounding community especially along the Ferry Street corridor from Main to Jefferson. Other projects of course include stomping out the abandonment and vacancy within a block or two of the new school. Like the Woodlawn Row Houses that sit 100 feet from the schools main entrance...

If you would like to receive e-mail updates about the BAVPA project, let me know. I'll be setting up a special page to monitor Ciminelli's progress and I'll be posting pictures on a regular monthly basis over the next 18-24 months.

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Artspace Archive • Annals of Neglect • BAVPA • Where is Perrysburg? • Broken Promises...
Writing the City • Woodlawn Row Houses • Tour dé Neglect - 2006 • faq