fixBuffalo

5/15/2005

Picture Problems Solved...

A few frequent readers have pointed out that when they "click to enlarge" photos in some of my postings there were often "porn links" that popped up as adds around the pictures. I was using a free image hosting program from Image Venue. I've successfully switched to Image Shack, another free image hosting program with a reputation that teachers and parents can safetly adopt for use at home or in the classroom.

I'm also using another free image hosting program from the good people over at Flickr. If you have images to host and share with others really check it out. The program is totally relational, easily navigated and wildly imaginative. I created a few slide shows using Flickr. Just click below to see how they look...

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

5/14/2005

Fugitive & Notorious Slumlord...Busted!

In this morning's Buffalo News we learned that the fugitve and notorious slumlord Venere Hutchinson and his wife, Dana Upcher, were apprended by a former classmate on I-75 in Cleveland, TN. Here's that story... True, the fugitive's former classmate, Officer Andy Ratcliff, picked him up and sent him back to Housing Court Judge Nowak.

"Fugitive & Notorious"

Venere Hutchinson

Checking out the story further... seems like our own venerable Dick Kern was writing about the "fugitive & notorious" long before his actions were taken seriously by our local elected and anointed. Dick Kern was writing about Hutchinson & Upcher four years ago in April of 2001 and again a few months later in July 2001. NYS Attorney General Elliot Spitzer has some not so kind words about Hutchinson & Upcher, too a full year after Dick Kern placed these two on the radar screen. No one was listening as their rampage continued on at 490 Linwood Avenue. Make sure to check out the possible motives for keeping this on the back-burner! See the May 16, 2002 Buffalo News article, too about their fugitive status...

*** Update ***
KernWatch-- May 15, 2005

This afternoon I went out to take a few pics of the Hutchinson & Upcher property here on the city's east-side.

This property located at 630 High Street was mortgaged by Hutchinson for $120,000. Here's the city's official property description. The building has significant architectural detail to warrant a preservation study...This property should not be demolished. A settlement to resolve the criminal case against "Hutchinson & Upcher" should consider alternatives to the demolition of this property.

630 High Street - Hutchinson & Upcher Property

click to enlarge & detail
*** See the slide show about 630 High Street***

More pictures and details about other "Hutchinson & Upcher" property to follow...

*Update*

I had the opportunity Saturday afternoon to take pictures of the 5 "Hutchinson & Upcher" properties that were mentioned in the recent Buffalo News article.

630 High Street - I first started taking pictures of this building a few weeks ago for someone who used to live in the neighborhood. The building appears to be in very stable condition. It is rich in architectural detail and sits in a very prominent part of this neighborhood that has seen more than its share of demolitions in recent years. I noticed a number of transom windows filled with "Luxfer" prism squares including the much sought after "rain-drop" pattern. Frank Lloyd Write designed many of these. A settlement involving "Hutchinson & Upcher" should include alternatives to the demolition of this building. Two short blocks away at 669 Genesee Street, a city owned and neglected building - waiting for a law suit to happen - will most probably be demolished, too. Get this, it's not even on the list of city owned property for sale. Here's a quick slide show of properties in the vicinity of 630 High Street. Make sure to orient yourself to this neighborhood, if you don't know it, by using this cool google satellite map. This image will also clearly show the ever increasingly larger "urban prairie" here in what some observers call the future agricultural district of Buffalo.

11 Holland Place - Again this two family house appears to be in very sound condition. On this short one block street here in Masten, one block from Main Street and just behind the Squier Mansion, there are 32 parcels. 13 of these parcels, 40% of the street, are owned by the city. Not one of those properties is offered for sale in the current catalog that John Hannon provided me a few weeks ago. Many of the houses on the street like 30 Holland Place are still in remarkable condition, despite years of neglect at many different levels. When I walked around the property at 11 Holland, Saturday afternoon, I noticed a new electrical service. People were living there. When I knocked, they saw me, no one came to the door. Again as part of a settlement in the larger case against "Hutchinson & Upcher" alternatives to the demolition of this house should really be considered. This beautiful victorian, just around the corner at 94 Northampton is marked for demolition, too.

152 Sumner Place - This building was marked with red spray paint, indicating a future demolition. I'm sure Tracy Krug, city of Buffalo Builidng Inspector has a good reason to want to see this place torn down.

92 Mohr & 367 Normal Avenue - These properties are vacant lots. I spoke with neighbors and in both cases I was told that the houses were demolished years, perhaps 2 years, ago.

More as the story develops...

5/13/2005

Sweet Kleen(ed)!

In Thursday's Buffalo News, we learned that the "Sweet Kleen" site at 764 Kensington Avenue (see google satellite image...awesome view) is being cleaned up! While this is a very good thing and the EPA has been doing fantastic work here in WNY with Superfund dollars, Buffalo News staff reporter John F. Bonfatti failed to mention that the current owner of the property is, yes...brace yourself...the City of Buffalo! Here's the official property description. There was no mention in Bonfatti's article of the environmental hazards and levels of contamination. Another example of loserville journalism.

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On my way to dinner Thursday evening I took the opportunity to check out the property to see what was going on. I spoke with a few long term neighbors - 25 years in one case - of the site. He had no clue who the owner was and the amount of money that was being spent to remediate the site and demolish the structure. I told him about the article in the paper and the $600,000 that it was going to take. He told me he would'nt give me six cents for the place.

So, sort of knowing how the city takes care of its property, I wanted to take a closer look. I walked around to the Federal Avenue side of the property and noticed that the window here was wide open. I'm not an environmental engineer or toxicologist, but wouldn't you think the EPA and the SuperFund peopel would have at least secured the window? Neighborhood kids had just found a crate of old record albums in the building and shared their new treasure with me. A 7th grade boy gave me Aretha's - Live at Fillmore West. R-E-S-P-E-C-T...not here, on Buffalo's east side.

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I fully understand the leverage the city needs to have over property owners who do not pay their property taxes, but come on...seriously why take back a property - which is the case here at 764 Kensingtion Avenue - with known environmental hazards.

I would love to get my hands on the corporate records and find out who knew what when. I mean was anyone in the City's Law Department watching this one. There was a very public auction at the site years ago, which I attended. All sorts of corporate assets were being sold.

There are just so many questions....does anyone have the answers? What about that really cool tile on the building's facade...the deco metal work? Developing...

5/11/2005

Following Up...

I've been documenting the public safety and heath problems that exist around Buffalo Public Schools for the last few months. I've written a larger piece about the problem and called it the School House Project. Today I had an opportunity to check in on a few of the properties I've been monitoring over the past few months. While a few demolitions such as this one on Northampton Avenue continue to happen, I'm still left wondering if there is any systematic approach to monitoring and maintaining these properties.

Demo near "new" East High School

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The problem directly across from Buffalo's City Honors High School still exists. Here, at 212 Best Street I first documented these conditions six weeks ago. Today I followed up and found these conditions across the street from City Honors High School. Nothing has changed. The house is still wide open, 50 feet from the school.

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Further into the 'hood I re-visited 319 Koons Avenue. I first wrote about this city of Buffalo owned property a few weeks ago, over here.

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Nothing has changed. This city of Buffalo owned property is still wide open. 319 Koons (use that satellite image to see the relationship to the school) is one block away from the recently renovated Emerson High School at 1405 Sycamore Street and directly across the from 320 Koons, the scene of four murder violent crime spree just a few weeks ago. A few months ago a group of housing activists lead by the inspiring work of Michele Johnson focused their attention on correcting a problem of neglect and abandonment at 242 Koons Avenue.

Since my first posting about 319 Koons Avenue I had an awkward conversation with John Hannon, Director of Buffalo's Division of Real Estate. I re-introduced myself to him at the press conference last week for the Mayor's Newly Revised Housing Task Force at 41 Loepere Street. You can read about the press conference, over here. John Hannon told me that I couldn't believe what a difficult job his Dept. has here in the city. I tried to sympathize with the overwhelming problems the entire city is confronted with in dealing with abandoned, boarded, derelict and vacant residential, commerial and industrial property. I didn't get very far. He did promise me an opportunity to sit down and discuss some specifics about his department's policy and practices of maintaining and selling city of Buffalo property.

I'll make sure to focus my questions on innovations and marketing mechanisms such as using "for-sale signs" on the properties and having a complete listing of city owned properties on the city's website with pics! Even if we use a stencil and spray paint for the "for-sale" signs at least people will know that the property is available.

I'll make sure to report about that conversation with John Hannon as soon as possible. Wish me luck!

5/09/2005

Support the Arts Here on Buffalo's East Side...

Come see the hard work our children have done on this project! It's the first school musical for the newly renovated Harvey Austin School, 1405 Sycamore Stree t, and one of the few school musicals in Buffalo.

The Harvey Austin School Fine Arts Department Proudly Presents

May 26th 7:30 PM May 27th 7:30 PM May 28th 2:00 PM

Tickets on sale NOW, or get them at the door!

$2.00 Students/Seniors $3.00 Adults

For tickets call: 816-3460

This show is produced through a special arrangement with Music Theater International, New York, NY
__________________________________________________________________________
Artspace Archive • Annals of Neglect • BAVPA • Where is Perrysburg? • Broken Promises...
Writing the City • Woodlawn Row Houses • Tour dé Neglect - 2006 • faq • my flickr

From...The Old First Ward

I strapped the Mad River canoe to my car late this morning and set off for the Old First Ward. Before entering the Buffalo River near the Ohio Street Lift Bridge, I checked out a few places and stumbled upon this K-9 training lot adjacent to an abandoned police precinct house. Some of the exterior lights were still on though most of them were missing or broken. There was a grimy, worn and tattered American flag barely blowing in the breeze on the city's flag pole. It seemed like it was holding on by just a thread. Way too bleak and unbelievable. The property, 294 Louisiana Street was home to old police precinct 7. This property doesn't appear on the most recent list of property the city is selling. Should we wonder why?

Here in the "Old First Ward" residents seem to have their fair share of abandoned, boarded, derelict and vacant houses in this part of the city, too. This place is located at 73 Louisiana Street.

This is where I put the canoe in the water. Make sure to check out this really cool google satellite image of the area. The boat lauch here is full of drift wood and debris yet just right for my canoe or kayak. The Buffalo Rod & Gun Club's building is near here. The sign said it was established in 1938. Great history about Buffalo sportsman's clubs from Western New York Heritage Press.

Here are a few other shots from the afternoon's exploration. Paddling along the Buffalo River brings some interesting things into view. While paddling along, I started to think about other abandoned commercial and industrial property here in Buffalo. I imagined that the corporations that were once paying property taxes might no longer worry about city taking back their property for non-payment. Interesting study. I did manage to fill a 128 mb card, so a few more silo pics and views from the water to follow soon...

***New***
More First Ward & Buffalo River Pics

I crossed the river near the Ohio Street Lift Bridge and stumbled upon this aging hulk. Does anyone know what sort of ship this might have been attached to? Interesting rehab project.

***New***

Just heard from über urban observer Hank Bromley and frequent reader of Fix Buffalo, that the "hulk" is most probably the wheel house from the good ship "The Canadiana." Karl Josker, a phenomenal photographer, has additional pics, over here. Click around his photo-albums for all sort of surprises. Chris Byrd, from InDaBuff - great local blog - suggests that this would make a fine "visitors kiosk" for the new inner-harbor project.

I just joined the yahoo group for the Crystal Beach Amusement Park and was told there was a thread about the S.S. Canadiana. Here's the link for a Canadiana Preservation Group that I found there. Lots of jucicy details describing what happened and didn't.

The Canadiana's Maiden Voyage May 30, 1910
The Canadiana 1984 by Karl Josker
The Canadiana's Dismanteling Buffalo News April 18, 2004

A little further away I saw this fantastic shot of the city's skyline and what looks to be like another shovel ready site. Come to Buffalo and be (t)axed to death. By late afternoon I was back on the Titanic's main deck and joined friends at Cafe Aroma. Read the Times and fought over "IQ" as viable word while playing Scrabble.

5/08/2005

Another Park...See, I Told You So!

Hi, I'm a Council President, Welcome to Buffalo!

Frequent readers of my blog may still appreciate
this reference to "One FlewOver the Cuckoo's Nest."

I was wrong, sorry. Back in January I thought Council President David Franczyk wanted to make the former JN Adam TB Hospital in Perrysburg a city park. I should have known better. A local environmentalist, Dr. Laurence Beahan of Amherst would like to see the 650 acre complex become the latest New York State Park. The good doctor's plan is detailed in a letter to the editor that appeared in the Buffalo News last week.

Read all about the deal...
Right here!
And especially the "JN Adam - Trathen Forum" at SpeakUpWNY!

Dr. Beahan is a member of the Sierra Club, the Adirondack Mountain Club and serves as a representative to the re-licensing of the Niagara Power Project. He is a local author and has written a rather compelling narrative about life in Buffalo, back in the day when we could afford things like city parks. One of his books, My Grandpa's Woods, recounts tales of his grandfather as a logger in the family's Adirondack logging business, again back in the day...I guess when it was ok to be a logger.

Dr. Beahan's letter is wrong on a number of points. First, the Town of Perrysburg already has a town park and the former J. N. Adam site is clearly marked, "No Tresspassing." I think this means you're not supposed to use the place. Second, his perfect outcome...get this...

A perfect outcome would be for the state to buy the site from cash-starved Buffalo with Open Space money. Then, instead of falling to the ax, it would live on as a park.

Did you catch that? The good doctor seems to think that money grows on trees. Before suggesting that the people of Perrysburg give up potential tax revenue, Dr. Beahan should consider what happened a few years ago in East Aurora, NY. There, another 650 acres of land was removed from the tax rolls under Governor Pataki's Open Space Initiative. The tax generating Knox Polo Fields and Farm were purchased from the Knox family with New York State tax money (yes...that's right...your tax money funding the Knox family retirement fund) and the people of East Aurora were forced to offset that lost tax revenue with higher property taxes.

Meanwhile in Perrysburg, the people are counting on new tax revenue. That 650 acre site hasn't generated a penny for the town in 100 years. The Trathen offer is legitimate and it's the first offer in years according to Perrysburg Town Supervisor, Myrton Sprague who still enjoys wide spread support for the deal.

I'm sure, I'll hear from Dr. Beahan. Another park, please. Just what we need. Will some please remind him - David Franczyk, too - that we can't afford the parks we currently own. Imagine this letter...

Dear Dr. Beahan, In my neighborhood money doesn't grow on trees. If it does in your neighborhood would you please send some. We sure could use it. Thanks, Brian Lipke - Chairman of the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority

Let's finish the deal with Tom Trathen and move on to core business. Let's focus on Forest Avenue instead of some trees 40 miles away. The good people of Perrysburg can mind their own business just fine.

5/06/2005

Michele Johnson...Mayor's Housing Task Force

Michele Johnson addressed a gathering of the Mayor's Housing Task Force at 41 Loepere Street on Friday morning. Michele has done some very important ground breaking work addressing the problems impacting residential neighborhoods on the city's east-side. This press conference marks the launch of this latest task force.

I was the first to show up and was wondering why the house was still wide open. I talked with some of the neighbors "staying" across the street. When I told them what was going to happen and that this house, 41 Loepere currently owned by Victoria Goodwin, had been "flipped" on Ebay a few times in the past two years and went from $10 - $20,000, one guy responded, "@^#%ing, eh..I made a few g's from that house just last week." Later after everyone left, I returned and saw that the house was properly secured and the grass was mowed. Some of the vacant houses across the street - one in particular where the long time owner was forced to abandon - was still wide open. I'd met her years ago. She raised rotweilers for police departments all over the country.

Michele Johnson - Mayor's Housing Task Force

Michele is also the Fillmore District Liaison to Judge Nowak's Housing Court. She often works side by side with Tracy Krug, City Building Inspector, fighting the good fight and keeping the city's neighborhoods safe. Tracy has been very responsive in helping us address some of the abandonded and vacant property over in the Masten District, too.

Michele & Tracy Krug - City Building Inspector

I speak with Michele a couple times every week and often provide photos to support some of her investigative work. The Mayor's task force was formed largely because of Michele's work. Knowing what I about Michele, if this task force turns into a talk-fest, Michele will be the first to resign. I'll stay close to this story and provide additional information, details and policy changes as they develop. Michele writes and publishes some of her work, over here at WNYmedia.net...check it out!

41 Loepere - city crews securing the property

Pics of the rest of the press conference at 41 Loepere - Sam Hoyt, Bill Stachowski, David Franczyk, check it out!

Buffalo's Loss...

I first met Dick Kern 13 years ago on the east-side of Bufalo. He was investigating another HUD scam. He introduced me to the politics of housing here in Buffalo. And for those people who listened, Dick Kern provided a graduate program in municipal malfaesance and the corrupt nature of how neighborhoods in Buffalo end up looking like war torn Berlin, Beirut and Baghdad. While many people here in Buffalo were overjoyed to see Sharon West, former Executive Director of Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA), leave Buffalo earlier this year, it is very sad day to know that Dick Kern is leaving now, too.

Richard Kern

Dick we all wish you well in you future work and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the extraordinary example you have set in your pioneering "Blight Busting" work and willingness to race to the bottom line on issues and developments that are central to understanding the malaise that afflicts us here in Buffalo.

Much of his work is still gathered over here at KernWatch. Here's the link to the story in today's Buffalo News about Dick Kern. I've archived the story, over here.

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While peddling around the east-side this week and leading an "archeological tour" of Buffalo's soon to be famous ruins, I took these pictures. Pictures that will always remind me of Dick's uncompromising desire to uncover the story behind the story. The first picture is from a memorial located in MLK Park and the second picture is part of the latest chapter in Buffalo's history, the ever increasingly larger "urban prairie" and home to what some people think is the future agricultural district of Buffalo. This is one of the BMHA buildings located at 1827 Fillmore Avenue. Make sure to see that satellite image, it is clearly the largest tract of abandonded, boarded, derelict and vacant property in the city of Buffalo. And make sure to check out the city's assesment of the property here, the official property description.

If you don't like the looks of this place and think it should be properly secured, call Gillian Brown. He's now the acting Executive Director of BMHA. He can be reached at 855-6711 x 204. And if you would like to receive e-mail from Dick Kern, let him know. I'm sure he's preparing the fall semester's course right now.

5/04/2005

About the Photos...

This afternoon I had a conversation with a frequent reader of my blog. He informed me that when he clicks on pictures to enlarge them he often sees little blue links advertising services that he would prefer not see. I agree.

In January I started using the free image hosting services provided by Image Venue. The ads surrounding the pics were innocuous little ads relating to "how to blog," "credit reporting" and other services. Now, after a review it seems like Image Venue is cycling ads that some people might consider offensive. I agree.

So, I am actively looking for another image hosting service that doesn't display this type of ad. In the meantime, the only way you access the products or services that are offered in relation to those "offensive" ads is to click them. Until I switch to a new image hosting service and begin converting the old pics, my suggestion for now, if you are offended by those ads, just don't click them. Thanks for your patience.

5/03/2005

New Erie County Library...and the "old" one?

I first mentioned a few months ago, back here, that Robert Traynham Coles is the architect for the new Frank E. Merriweather Library, located at 1326 Jefferson Avenue. Contruction of this new library is proceeding despite the Erie County budget crisis and the precarious position of Buffalo's own budget. Here's what things are looking like.

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The question is now being asked what should be done with the building owned by the City of Buffalo that houses the "old" North Jefferson Branch Library, at 334 East Utica? When I stopped in yesterday to take some pictures, I asked the librarian when the big moving day is planned. She informed me that the library will moving accross the street sometime late summer. I asked what was going to happen to this "old" libary building. She informed me that the City of Buffalo is the owner of the building and told me to call Masten District Council Member Antoine Thompson's office for additional information.

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Still, I really don't really know why Bruce Jackson from Buffalo Report told us in February 2003 that the North Jefferson Branch was decripit. While acknowledging Microsoft's contribution which I knew nothing about:

Bill Gates’ personal foundation has put a lot of money into inner city libraries in Buffalo...

I was stunned with Bruce's description of this branch library. Yesterday, I saw a well lit, fully functional library with patrons and students checking out materials and using computers. A scene very similar to what happens on regular basis at the Crane Branch on Elmwood Avenue. Maybe Bruce Jackson has never been to this branch and was actually referring to the neighborhood. Or, maybe he was really thinking about what will happen to this old library building with out effective marketing mechanisms in place to sell surplus city properties. Who knows...Bruce, let me know.

Meanwhile, I didn't see a "for-sale" sign on the property either. I mean if you knew you were going to be moving in a few months, would'nt you have have a "for-sale" on your house? With real estate, as with so many other aspects of municipal life here in Buffalo, there has to be a more effective way of handling "surplus property."

Way cool loft possibilites and artist studios...

Revitalize Buffalo...another look...
Since posting my impressions and thoughts about what happened last Thursday evening at the Revitalize Buffalo meeting, a few other local Buffalo Bloggers have picked up the story.

Craig Howard, from North Coast US, just wrote this piece...
Alan Bedanko, from Buffalo Pundit, had this to say about the meeting...
Newell Nussbaumer, from Buffalo Rising, had this to say...
And from The Talk Arena, an up and coming local blog, someone wrote this...

The comments section in my original post has picked up considerable traffic. You can view those comments, over here. The Revitalize Buffalo Blog reports their activites, too.

5/02/2005

109 Genesee Street...Murals

While photo-documenting a number of sites Sunday afternoon on the city's east side, I decided to take a closer look at the Willert Genrich property at 109 Genesee Street. It's been the subject of recent debate. (Will someone please comment on the latest developments...thanks.) Here's the building which I guess Mr. Genrich has now owned for 20 years.

front view

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I walked around to the back of the property, too. I've never seen this view of the buildings as I am usually racing down Oak Street to make the lights.

rear view

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Seeing how totally messed-up these buildings are really inspired me. I thought wow, if so many people want to save these buildings and preserve a really cool and unique 19th century urban streetscape, then the Woodlawn Row Houses just might be saved, too.

I stayed on Genesee Street for a while and admired the murals about Buffalo architecture and history. Here's the complete set of scenes from the murals along the 100 block of Genesee Street. Does anyone know who the artist(s) are and when they were first displayed? I think these are rather unique and may have been first displayed 10 years ago. Please share what you know about this project...thanks.

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Woodlawn Row Houses...Still Wide Open

Once a month I take pictures of the Woodlawn Row Houses and document the "demolition by neglect" that happens when the city of Buffalo, the legal owner, has given up on its architectural heritage. In the last few weeks I've visted the site on numerous occasions and noticed only today evidence of vandalism and forced entry. I feel like I'm a physician who knows that his patient is going to die, no matter what he does. Here, I'm becoming convinced that city officials are only providing lip-service to preservation issues and the architectural legacy we have inherited. Again, these Woodlawn Row Houses were designated a "local-landmark" in 1982. Today, the rear of the building is still wide open to elements and vandals.

Here are the pics for this, the seventeenth month of documenting the demolition...

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Here is the evidence of forced entry, rear window and rear porch door.

Some people have told me, most notably Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, that we need new laws such as this, assembly bill A-06980, to protect our architectural heritage from "demolition by neglect." Sam Hoyt has sponsored this bill. Yet no one has convinced me that enforcing the Hoyt "demolition by leglect" law will be any easier than enforcing existing building codes. I wrote about this awhile ago, over here. Something tells me that the Wollenberg Grain Elevator won't get any help from new legislation either.

In fact, the case involving the Samuel Tredwell House in NYC, which Buffalo News reporter Mark Sommer described in the article introducing Sam Hoyt's bill a few weeks ago, and apparently completly foreign to Sam (I'll forward the e-mail from Sam to me), used existing building code enforcement to win the case against a negligent owner of historic property. I first started writing about that case from NYC last December, over here.

Sam, you know Mayor Masiello and Common Council President David Franczyk better than I do, so maybe you could help. Would you please call them and see if we can get the Woodlawn Row Houses properly secured. I've tried for 17 months. It's not Elmwood, I know and it is out of your district...but hey, you never know.

Meanwhile, please take a moment to sign the petition to help save the Woodlawn Row Houses.

5/01/2005

Speak Up WNY...
There is an excellent discussion thread over here at SpeakUpWNY regarding the various sides of the "demolition vs. preservation" argument and how it relates to various projects here in Buffalo.

I've made a few posts as dt14209 and started this thread about the JN Adam site in Perrysburg.

The discussion is lively, informed and enlightening. Become a member, it's free and join the discussion.