I called the number spray painted on the front door of 574 Michigan Avenue the other day (google map). The owner picked up. I talked with him about the property's Housing Court status and his future plans. He told me that the City is applying pressure to demolish this pre-Civil War residence. After exhausting all possible plans to rebuild, he's going to proceed with the City's request.
Buffalo Rising covered the house's early history, shortly before the devastating fire. Local architectural historian John Conlin dated the Federal Style residence, steps away from the City's African American Heritage Corridor as a pre-1840's house. According to local preservationist Scott Glasgow 574 Michigan is similar to his own house at 71 Amherst Street.
The owner has agreed to allow Buffalo Reuse some salvage rights. According to Preservation Buffalo Niagara 574 Michigan is constructed with hand-hewn beams that may still have some value. The plan is to begin demolition later this month after the owner's last Housing Court date.
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2 comments:
Heartbreaking news. I am so sorry.
This is the second house from this time period and general area to fall victim to arson; though a loss from an architectural point-of-view it is a lost cause if the people, who reside in this area could care less about this building, than what is the general population suppose to do about it? – donate $500,000 at it for restoration and turn it over to the local community?
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