10/14/2006

Problems in Vinyl Land...

Lovely piece in the morning's Buffalo News about construction problems associated with some of the East Side's newest "vinyl victorians."
One house has a cracked garage floor. Another around the corner has its second set of concrete porch stairs. The first set crumbled.

A third has an uneven ceiling and a gaping hole where water - and critters - can enter the garage. These aren't grand old homes showing their age. They are brand new houses built to help revitalize Buffalo and its Cold Spring neighborhood. They were built by a local contractor for an East Side church's development corporation - with millions in public money and city oversight to make sure the taxpayer dollars were well spent.

Instead, homeowners say, it has been a nightmare. read the rest

This residential development project is headed up by Rev. Richard Stenhouse and Bethel CDC. I first mentioned Bethel's work - Getting it Done in Masten - and here as they plan to build a series of Row Houses here in Cold Springs on Michigan Avenue. Rev. Stenhouse and Bethel CDC also own this totally messed up spot at 38 Ada Place and four totally derelict houses on Michigan and Woodlawn Avenue. Remember, Rev. Stenhouse is also the secretary and tresurer of the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority - Buffalo's Control Board.
I plan to talk with the homeowner mentioned in the Buffalo News article and have pictures soon.
Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. Mcguire: Plastics.
See My Vinyl Collection for additional inspiration.
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Artspace ArchiveAnnals of NeglectBAVPAWhere is Perrysburg?Broken Promises...
Writing the CityWoodlawn Row HousesTour dé Neglect - 2006faqmy flickr

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wannamaker's statement is absolutely absurd. I paid $15,000 for a ten thousand sq ft brick building built in 1865. I've experienced nothing close to the problems described by these new homeowners. Learning curve indeed.

Anonymous said...

THE source of the problem MUST be the VINYL siding!!!
What does the building inspector / COB INSPECTION DEPT. have to say regarding these problems on a brand new house?? Something certainly does not sound right here!!

dcoffee said...

This is an outrage. I wonder where the money went on this project. Lots of people got screwed, and I'm sure a few people made off with a pile of cash.