fixBuffalo

1/31/2005

Vacant Houses....the Scourge of our City!

On Saturday I had the opportunity to meet with a unique collaborative community wide effort. Michelle Johnson & Kevin Hayes have assembled a group of individuals who are galvanized around "flipping" and the scourge of vacant houses here in the city. JM Reed from Polis Realty and Common Council member Joe Golombek were present, too.

I composed this as a follow-up to that meeting and would like to share it here.

I have just learned that the Buffalo Fire Dept has mapped 4010 buildings Continue reading...

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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

Zion Dominion moving to Amherst

In Saturday's Buffalo News we learned that Rev. Roderick L. Hennings announced that his congregation purchased The Chapel in Amherst. "Good News" for his congregation and the residents of Amherst. Here's their website.

Further down in the article we learned that before the congregation leaves Buffalo they will be selling....NOT Leaving an empty building behind ....their current place of worship at 360 Genesse Street. This is very good news for the city, especially this side of the street. When they purchased the building in the early '90's this land mark building Continue reading... See what the Catholic Church left behind, too!

1/28/2005

Finally...Buffalo Bloggers get it....

Seems like this story just won't go away. See what Alan over at Buffalo Pundit has to say about the JN Adam/Trathen deal.

Faso (Control Board Member) said that it makes no sense for lawmakers to ponder the impact of logging in Perrysburg after they recently needed to borrow money to trim city trees

Council President David A. Franczyk told Faso that the environmental impact is only one issue. He said that there have been estimates that the site might be worth as much as $4 million

Franzcyk promises to go to court over this.....like that's really going to help the city and neighborhood residents.

1/25/2005

Ouch! Suicide Watch for Buffalo?

And in today's Buffalo News You gotta read this...

"Western New York's most senior state lawmaker has warned the Common Council that if it continues to stall a Perrysburg land deal, the state should reconsider helping Buffalo in its struggle to make an economic rebound."

Denying a legitimate sale such as this is a clear sign that the city does not desire to cooperate with the state and that the state should strongly reconsider its future investment in Buffalo's needed turnaround. NYS Senator, Dale Volker

continue reading ...You won't believe what David Franczyk wants to do

Not all Vacant Houses are Demo Candidates

I’ve been ranting and raving about vacant houses in the neighborhood for sometime. I’ve documented and photographed all the boarded and empty houses in this 25 block Masten neighborhood. I’ve even created a special list of “soon to be vacant” houses. Not all vacant houses are demo candidates. Many of these houses appear to be in reasonably good structural condition and for many reasons are worth keeping as part of the streetscape and neighborhood.

This is what the same house looked like in July, 2004 and this is what the smaller brown cottage looked like in August, 2004.

These are two of the dozens of empty and vacant continue reading...

Neighborhood “Assets” Second in a Series

The 25 block Masten neighborhood between Main/Jefferson – Ferry /Utica is full of existing cultural "assets" and quicly developing into a nascent arts and education community. The first Neighborhood “Asset” I featured is presented here. The only new library being constructed here in Erie County! This was the first Neighborhood "Asset" I featured.

Click to enlarge

The African-American Cultural Center is located at 350 Masten Avenue, two blocks away from the recently abandoned Buffalo Traditional High School. The center is also the home of the Paul Robeson Theatre. The center was established continue reading...

1/24/2005

A New City Park? - Part 4

I talked with Tom Trathen at length Friday afternoon about various issues relating to “the deal,” local government and the competitiveness of our WNY economy. Did you know the Trathen Group had a booth at the Convention Center in Buffalo during the World University Games in 1993? Reasonable guy loves Buffalo….and wonders about all the “clear-cutting” that’s gone on over in the Fillmore District. I tried to explain to him how well intended HUD and BMHA have been here in Buffalo. He didn't buy it...

The is the latest installment... 3/17/05

Get the full story beginning with either of the part 1's...
...don't miss the pictures!

The current stuff... Part 1, 2 , 3 & 3+
The early Buffalo history...Part 1 & Part 2
cool pictures, too

Other JN Adam related items which happened Friday…

Don Esmonde cited continue reading...

1/23/2005

Neighborhood Developments - New Youth Center

The new youth center is quickly taking shape directly across the street from the Woodlawn Row Houses and in front of the recently abandonded Buffalo Traditional High School's main entrance. As you know this high school site will make an excellent permanent location for BAVPA continue reading...

Please Sign the Petition

I've been blogging and providing updates since October about the declining condition of the Woodlawn Row Houses. The pictures in the October archives were first taken in March, 2004. Please take a few moments to become familiar with the Woodlawn Row Houses by reviewing the posts that are in the October archive. These posts as with all blogs appear in continue reading...

1/22/2005

Way off Topic...

The Temple of Music
Jonathan Lowy

Just returned from a snowy visit to Borders where I picked up Jonathan Lowy’s latest book, The Temple of Music. I googled Lowy continue reading...

1/21/2005

Required Reading...for Elected Officials, too?

As we begin to develop plans for the future preservation of the Woodlawn Row Houses many people have expressed concern about the "perceived declining" of the surrounding neighborhood. (I'm addressing this as I present an 8 part series of Neighborhood Assets.)

This afternoon, while I sat at my desk, buses pulled away from Buffalo Traditional High School for the last time. Many of my former students continue reading...

Excellent series of interviews about urban planning you shouldn't miss!

1/20/2005

A Match Made in Perrysburg!

While sleuthing around City Hall today, I happened to obtain a copy of the file containing supporting documents filed by various parties who are concerned about the JN Adam deal to Trathen on January 11th.

I learned that the Western New York Land Conservancy (WNYLC) met with Tom Trathen from the The Trathen Group, this past December. They were impressed with his operations and demonstrated commitment to good forestry practices, farming and wildlife habitat. I spoke with Amy Holt, the Executive Director today about continue reading...

Sharon West -- "Legacy of Vacancy & Waste"

Did you miss the irony?

In today’s Buffalo News we learn that Sharon West, Executive Director of BMHA -- Buffalo Municipal Housing Agency and NY’s second largest municipal housing agency, is leaving for Tampa. She stayed just long enough here in Buffalo making $90,000/year to trigger a 54K retirement package! In Tampa she will be the new manager of housing and community development.

She said, "The one thing I wish I could take with me from Buffalo, is the people!" Sharon they are on the way. People are leaving Buffalo at the rate continue reading...

1/19/2005

Buffalo Bloggers...Pick up the ball!!!

Over at Buffalog, Craig has just added some personal reflections on the unfolding JN Adam TB Hostpital drama. Interesting points people...

Its closure was economically devastating for Perrysburg -- equally as destructive as the closure of Bethlehem Steel was for Buffalo.

I missed Craig's review of Jane Jacob's book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, when I first visited his blog. Craig has a few more things to say about other parts of the city, including Polonia (Fillmore District), in an older post.

Fix Buffalo's First Milestone...
for blogging the 'hood!

100 Unique hits in 24 hours!

When you google Brian Lipke new Chairman for the Buffalo Control Board....I'm #4. Ahead of Bruce Jackson from "Buffalo Report" and even the official NYS announcement from Pataki's office!!! Just wait for syndication....coming real soon!

And a new site featuring pictures and ownership and inspections reports of all the abandoned, boarded, crime infested and derelict property in this 25 block Masten neighborhood Main/Jefferson -- Ferry/Utica and of course what you can do to help! Imagine the impact we will have if just half of the daily visitors to this blog call one elected offical about one house and send one e-mail to the Chief Building Inspector complaining about the conditions at a specific property.

Check back soon or simply subscribe to this blog by entering your e-mail and the subscription box on the right....

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