I've actually failed rather well in accomplishing what I set out to do...that is attracting private investment to an area of Buffalo just down the street from my own place - the Woodlawn Row Houses. They are located in what i thought might be considered a rather fertile area of the City's near East side and firmly within the boundry of a recent infusion of 50m of public investment in the arts and education.
This decision was not made lightly. Year end is always a good time to re-evaluate priorities and existing ways of doing things. Be it personal matters or here in the 'hood, coming to terms with what I've observed as accelerating neighborhood decline in our post-industrial weak market City, well...let's remember one thing - hope is not a plan! Poorly conceived short term decisions, have long term consequences.
Spend time with those you love this time of year, explore Buffalo...and never go into vacant buildings alone!
I've spent the past six weeks working with an investment group - east and west coasts. They visited the Woodlawn Row Houses three times, did legal work, met with City officials and hired a local architect to complete a feasibility study. Learned this week that it's not going to fly...tried hard and failed well. If anyone is interested in that study, let me know as I could make arrangements with the architect.
Aside from the very recent sale of 39 Coe Place - not a single vacant house in my neighborhood has received any love in the past five years. The abandonment and hollowing out continues to happen at what seems to be a record pace. Houses that are in good structural shape get demolished and houses that I once thought were occupied are now actually vacant.
Just got back from a walk around the neighborhood and eight houses, including the Woodlawn Row Houses are wide open - five of them owned by an organization controlled by a member of Buffalo's Fiscal Stability Authority. One house 1470 Michigan Avenue - owned by the City - still has water running after the copper was stripped out, filling the basement, despite dozens of calls to have it turned off. I simply can not keep up with the pace of decline that's happening less than a block away from my house. Walk around at night at least twice a week and keep track of which places are open...in 26 months this is a record.
This blogging thing has become many different things for me. I've met some amazing people here in Buffalo and on-line...you know who you are...and have received what might be considered a graduate course in urban studies from various people that have been very kind in helping me understand what's happening. Yet after considerable reflection and 26 months of posting, it had to come to an end sometime. That time is now...
A resurection may be possible at some point...yet at this time, I doubt it. May think differently after some additional travel time, completion of a rather innovative project around the house and some academic work. Don't know.
If you've enjoyed the writing and pics, thank you. I'll keep the comments functional for awhile and gradually shut things down. Bye.
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update 12/20/06....130am
I appreciate the dozens of emails of support that I have received in the past few days asking me to reconsider my decision regarding closing this blog. In addition the comments below have surprised and overwhelmed me with kindness. Thank you. One person suggests that I've changed their life - love to know how. Someone else...well you can read 'em if you want to. Marc over at WNYMedia links my shutting down with the recent Elmwood Hotel announcement as various commenters at the BRo post have done, too. Really, no connection. AllthingsBuffalo has something to say about my decision and Allen at BuffaloPundit does, too. Mike from the Central Terminal and Broadway Fillmore Alive has a post, too that i just read. Thanks....This decision was not made lightly. Year end is always a good time to re-evaluate priorities and existing ways of doing things. Be it personal matters or here in the 'hood, coming to terms with what I've observed as accelerating neighborhood decline in our post-industrial weak market City, well...let's remember one thing - hope is not a plan! Poorly conceived short term decisions, have long term consequences.
Spend time with those you love this time of year, explore Buffalo...and never go into vacant buildings alone!
_______________________
I've spent the past six weeks working with an investment group - east and west coasts. They visited the Woodlawn Row Houses three times, did legal work, met with City officials and hired a local architect to complete a feasibility study. Learned this week that it's not going to fly...tried hard and failed well. If anyone is interested in that study, let me know as I could make arrangements with the architect.
Aside from the very recent sale of 39 Coe Place - not a single vacant house in my neighborhood has received any love in the past five years. The abandonment and hollowing out continues to happen at what seems to be a record pace. Houses that are in good structural shape get demolished and houses that I once thought were occupied are now actually vacant.
Just got back from a walk around the neighborhood and eight houses, including the Woodlawn Row Houses are wide open - five of them owned by an organization controlled by a member of Buffalo's Fiscal Stability Authority. One house 1470 Michigan Avenue - owned by the City - still has water running after the copper was stripped out, filling the basement, despite dozens of calls to have it turned off. I simply can not keep up with the pace of decline that's happening less than a block away from my house. Walk around at night at least twice a week and keep track of which places are open...in 26 months this is a record.
This blogging thing has become many different things for me. I've met some amazing people here in Buffalo and on-line...you know who you are...and have received what might be considered a graduate course in urban studies from various people that have been very kind in helping me understand what's happening. Yet after considerable reflection and 26 months of posting, it had to come to an end sometime. That time is now...
A resurection may be possible at some point...yet at this time, I doubt it. May think differently after some additional travel time, completion of a rather innovative project around the house and some academic work. Don't know.
If you've enjoyed the writing and pics, thank you. I'll keep the comments functional for awhile and gradually shut things down. Bye.
Artspace Archive • Annals of Neglect • BAVPA • Where is Perrysburg? • Broken Promises...
Writing the City • Woodlawn Row Houses • Tour dé Neglect - 2006 • faq • my flickr
buffalo olmsted parks conservancy
