Black Rock Advocate

Black Rock Advocate now has a Facebook page { click here to go to the Facebook page...don't forget to add me }

2009-04-05T09:42:00.005-04:00

Yo blood listen the Black Rock Advocate has got a Facebook page now so check it out ya dig.

Black Rock Advocate now has a Myspace page { click here to go to the Myspace page...don't forget to add me to your friends list }

2009-01-22T06:09:00.005-05:00

The War of 1812 and Black Rock's Roll

2008-10-18T22:11:00.010-04:00

The pictures to the left are of a map and a key that where hand written by Gen P. B. Porter. Countdown to the 200-year anniversary of the war of 1812. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain from June 1812 to the spring of 1815, although the peace treaty ending the war was signed in Europe in December 1814. From the end of the American Revolution in 1783, the United States had been irritated by the failure of the British to withdraw from American territory along the Great Lakes; their backing of the Indians on America's frontiers; and their unwillingness to sign commercial agreements favorable to the United States. The United States at first attempted to change the policies of the European powers by economic means. In 1807, after the British ship Leopard fired on the American frigate CHESAPEAKE, President Thomas Jefferson urged and Congress passed an EMBARGO ACT banning all American ships from foreign trade. The embargo failed to change British and French policies but devastated New England shipping. Later and weaker economic measures were also unsuccessful. Napoleon's announcement in 1810 of the revocation of his decrees was followed by British refusals to repeal their orders, and pressures for war increased. On June 18, 1812, President James MADISON signed a declaration of war that Congress--with substantial opposition--had passed at his request. Unknown to Americans, Britain had finally, two days earlier, announced that it would revoke its orders. American frigates won a series of single-ship engagements with British frigates, and American privateers continually harried British shipping. The captains and crew of the frigates CONSTITUTION and United States became renowned throughout America. Meanwhile, the British gradually tightened a blockade around America's coasts, ruining American trade, threatening American finances, and exposing the entire coastline to British attack. American attempts to invade Canada in 1813 were again mostly unsuccessful. There was a standoff at Niagara, and an elaborate attempt to attack Montreal by a combined operation involving one force advancing along Lake Champlain and another sailing down the Saint Lawrence River from Lake Ontario failed at the end of the year. The only success was in the West. The Americans won control of the Detroit frontier region when Oliver Hazard PERRY's ships destroyed the British fleet on Lake Erie (Sept. 10, 1813). This victory forced the British to retreat eastward from the Detroit region, and on Oct. 5, 1813, they were overtaken and defeated at the battle of the Thames (Moraviantown) by an American army under the command of Gen. William Henry HARRISON. In this battle the great Shawnee chief TECUMSEH, who had harassed the northwestern frontier since 1811, was killed while fighting on the British side. Black Rock was involved in at least 5 separate Military actions including 10/13/1812 , 11/28/1812 , 7/11/1813 and 8/3/1814 this last action being know as The Battle of Black Rock and was fought near Conjocta Creek now known as Scajaquada creek. Here is an excerpt from that account. It comes from the book, "Historical Collections of State of New York", by Barber and Howe. It was written in 1841 when the memories of the War of 1812 were still fairly fresh. "The British troops which crossed over at Black Rock on the 10th inst. were commanded by Cols. BISHOP and WARREN. They crossed the Niagara below Squaw Island, and marched far above the navy yard before any alarm was given. The detached militia being surprised, retreated up the beach, and left the enemy in quiet possession of the village, who proceeded to burn the sailors' barracks and blockhouses at the great battery. They then proceeded to the batteries, dismounted and spiked three 12 pounders, and took away 3 field-pieces and one 12 pounder; they took from a storehouse a quantity of whiskey, salt, flour, pork, and c. [corn?], which, with four citizens, they took across the river. At the first moment of the alarm, Gen. PORTER left Black Rock for Buffalo, at which place he assembled a body of volunteers and a few regulars, which, with 100 militia and 25 Indians, formed a junction about a mile from the enemy. After being formed, with the militia and Indians on the flanks and the volunteers and the regulars in the center, they attacked, and the enemy, after a contest of 20 minutes, retreated in the utmost confusion to the beach, embarked in several of our boats, and pulled for the opposite shore; all the boats got off without injury, except the last, which suffered severely from our fire, and from appearance nearly all the men in her were killed or wounded."

DATE: December 30, 1813 LOCATION: Black Rock and Buffalo, New York VICTORY: British COMMANDERS: Gen. Amos Hall (American)/ Maj. Gen. Phineas Riall (British) CASUALTIES: AMERICAN................ ( 1,200 men) 30 -KILLED/ 40 -WOUNDED/ 69 - CAPTURED BRITISH/INDIANS...... ( 500 regular, 500 Indian) 112 -KILLED, WOUNDED, & MISSING BATTLE DESCRIPTION: As soon as Fort Niagara had been captured, the British under the command of Maj. Gen. Phineas Riall, marched down the American side of the Niagara River. They were till seeking revenge for the burning of Newark. Riall had 500 regulars and 500 Indian warriors with him. They marched through Lewiston, Manchester, and Youngstown burning every farm building for several miles inland from the river. Meanwhile, a company of British troops approached Fort Schlosser, a little ways before the fort. They captured a blockhouse and took 8 Americans prisoner. The Niagara Frontier on the U.S. side of the Niagara River was now in flames. There was almost no resistance, although the Canadian Volunteers destroyed the bridge over the Tonawanda Creek, but Wilcox and his men could at best only delay the inevitable. The Americans were surprised again on December 30 when Riall came back. His objective was to capture any supplies that could be moved and destroy the rest, including any American ships wintering in Buffalo or Black Rock, and any other buildings that might shelter the American army were to be burned. Lt. Gen. Sir Gordon Drummond was a man of action and a strict disciplinarian. He wished to avoid the ransacking of American property that had been the trademark of the American occupation on the Niagara peninsula. His orders for the raid on Buffalo and Black Rock were that any men caught looting would be put to death as punishment. The British forces crossed the captured bridge over the Scajaquada Creek. The cannons were booming at Black Rock. The American Gen. Amos Hall had 1,200 men with him. They put up a fight for awhile, but the militia gave way and retreated through Buffalo. Riall burned both towns of Black Rock and Buffalo and all the buildings that he had missed on his first raid. One serious loss to the Americans was the destruction of 3 of Commodore Oliver H. Perry's small schooners, which were at Black Rock for the winter. The British departed and left a garrison at Fort Niagara. The Buffalo citizens slowly returned to their village. The British had burned the frontier from Buffalo through Black Rock to Eighteen Mile Creek. They destroyed 333 buildings in all, and in Buffalo, only 3 were left standing. Sir George Prevost followed this action with a proclamation that stated his regrets that the British troops had been forced to take measures "so little congenial to the British charactor". He ended the statement with the suggestion that the Americans had better behave themselves in the future. The fires of Buffalo finally died down, but the scorched earth policy was not be the end. Both American and British armies alike had the same thought, "Fire breeds fire and revenge breeds revenge". Before the war would end, more homes and buildings would be burned on both sides of the border, from the smallest cottage to the America's capitol, the White House in Washington, D.C.

--CONTENT GOES HERE (static)--

Black Rock Vacancy Initiative

2008-02-07T18:39:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately we seem to have hit a bit of a snag in our Black Rock Vacancy Initiative. The promise that I received from the City to write all of the vacant properties in Black Rock for court has not been followed through on. The City has simply refused to cite these properties and I think they are going to need a not so subtle push from the residents. I have attached an Excel file that lists each of the 54 properties that were supposed to be written for Court. It appears as though the only way to get the City to follow through on their promise is for residents to make at least five complaints for each vacant property. Complaints can be made through the Mayor's Complaint Line. As residents and activists, a coordinated effort to flood the complaint line will make the City understand how important this Initiative is and that it cannot be taken lightly. Getting the block clubs, Good Neighbor's Planning Alliance and community activists involved in this process is going to be essential for the ultimate success of the Initiative. We really appreciate the work that all of you have already contributed to this project and it is unfortunate that more needs to be done. The Mayor's Complaint Line phone number is: 851-4890 The Internet link is: http://www.city-buffalo.com/Applications/ComplaintForm/default.aspx Thank you very much for your assistance on this matter and please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions. Sincerely, Dan Soleimani

1 year of bloging

2008-01-27T00:04:00.000-05:00

This month one year ago I started this blog about the Black Rock community {link to first post here} I have not updated this blog on a consistent basis so it's hard to keep peoples interest. Those of you that do check this blog on a regular basis and don't find updates eventually lose interest . I WILL update as I can there is always something going on in our community and I will try to get that info out here on the Advocate. If anyone wants to share anything about our great community{story's, news, old photos} please send me an email and I may share it here on the Black Rock Advocate. Thank you B.R.A

BUFFALO ReUSE in Black Rock

2007-12-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

I noticed Deconstruction of this former home in Black Rock located at 1731 Niagara St. next to Porter Square I'v touched on this property before here is a bit of background on that area .

Decent story about our creek in the snews today but why is this mess left out?

2007-09-24T01:24:00.000-04:00

Every year hard working volunteers do there part to try and cleanup a century of neglect in and around Scajaquada creek but why is this area adjacent to the mouth of the creek in the Black Rock Canal always ignored? I'm sure plenty of people would volunteer if the powers at be would make this a priority. The location of this mess makes it very difficult, dangerous and imposable for an effective cleanup by hand . A barge and heavy equipment would most likely have to be used. This is the pile of shit that you see when going to and from the north end of Squaw Island via the International RR Bridge.

Nature Watch / By Gerry Rising

Scajaquada Creek may be down, but don’t count it out

Updated: 09/23/07 5:40 AM

Alien knotweed and signs of erosion are visible along the banks of Scajaquada Creek in Buffalo.">: Gerry Rising; Alien knotweed and signs of erosion are visible along the banks of Scajaquada Creek in Buffalo.

Last week the redoubtable Riverkeeper Larry Brooks led me on a four-mile walk along the lower reaches of Scajaquada Creek and on a trek around Hoyt Lake. It was a pleasant several hours on one of those hot sunny days of late summer. As we walked, Brooks filled me in on the history of the stream and in the process identified many of its current problems.

Originating from several springs in Lancaster and flowing to its outlet at Black Rock on the Niagara River, Scajaquada Creek is about 13 miles long and its entire watershed is only 29 square miles.

The early explorer Robert LaSalle launched his ship, Griffon, here in 1679 and America’s first naval yard was established near the creek’s mouth in 1812 to help build Oliver Hazard Perry’s Lake Erie fleet.

In the 1880s, Frederick Law Olmsted designed Delaware Park on its banks, damming the creek to form “Gala Water,” now renamed Hoyt Lake after the late State Assemblyman William Hoyt.

But the lake’s condition has been almost all downhill from there.

The 1901 Pan-American Exhibition not only disturbed the area but also encouraged Buffalo’s expansion northward. To support this urban extension in the 1920s, a tunnel was constructed which buried four miles of the stream from Pine Ridge Road to the middle of Forest Lawn Cemetery. Along much of its length — including in this tunnel — storm sewers empty sewage overflow into the creek. As one result, another underground section from the edge of the cemetery around Hoyt Lake is badly silted and almost blocked. Another buried section is under the Walden Galleria Mall in Cheektowaga.

Then came the expressway, which not only took up much of the remaining open land but also divided it and reduced the size of Hoyt Lake. A dam was constructed to separate the cleaner waters of Hoyt Lake from the now seriously polluted creek.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Black Rock section of the Erie Canal has raised the water level above that of the river, severely reducing the outflow from the Scajaquada.

Even some of the steps taken to improve the area backfired. For example, the damming of Hoyt Lake began to turn it into a stagnant deoxygenated pond. A well was added to pump fresh spring water into the lake and the problem was solved. Indeed, but this created another problem. The pump reduced the underground aquifer and began to drain Forest Lawn’s lovely Mirror Lake a quarter mile away. Now cemetery staff must purchase citytreated water (run into its property through an ugly fire hose) to maintain the level of that lake.

Today almost 100,000 people live in the Scajaquada Creek watershed, which also includes Buffalo State, Canisius and Villa Maria Colleges, McKinley and Cheektowaga Union High Schools and the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. Although much of the industry that lined its shores is now gone, those plants left their mark in the stream’s contaminated sediments.

What a mess. A beautiful stream has been turned into a sewer.Yet old Scajaquada ain’t quite dead yet and even shows some signs of recovery. Yes, on our hike, Brooks and I saw many problem areas, but most of our walk was through attractive parklands. We identified wildflowers, birds and insects. Despite the damage wreaked by last year’s October storm, many lovely trees remain. In the water under the shadow of a willow, a snapping turtle showed its head. And Hoyt Lake remains a fitting tribute to a man who was one of the region’s finest politicians.

A single individual is responsible for one major improvement. Jesse Kregal, a tympany player with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, has been pressing officials for more than a decade to construct a biking and walking trail along the creek from Delaware Park to the Niagara Riverwalk. This month that trail has been completed.

Hundreds of volunteers taking part in the annual Great Lakes Beach Sweep recently took tons of refuse and dozens of shopping carts from along the stream.

Of course more needs to be done, but I was encouraged by a woman we met walking her dog. Seeing us taking pictures of trash in the creek, she asked who we were. When Brooks identified himself and Riverkeeper goals, she announced that she would be his ambassador among her many friends. Me, too.

insrisg@buffalo.edu

This is the latest instalment of my Then and Now series. LoL

2007-09-21T01:17:00.000-04:00

BeforeAfter This accident happened Thursday night @ Niagara and Amherst streets.{No one was injured} While the Black Rock Sign no longer exists the brick pilers that anchored the sign where not compromised so a permanent replacement for the sign SHOULD NOT be to difficult. I sent an email over to the councilman's office so they have already been notified. This sign has not been lit in years so maybe now a new sign can be erected with some type of solar power to lite itself. Should an exact replica of the old sign be put up or a new version with "Historic" added to it be considered?

This week in Black Rock & Riverside History.

2007-08-15T01:58:00.000-04:00

{The above photo is taken from the erie canal . com a very good site with cool photos of the Buffalo water front from the days past.} [Do you know where this location is ?]
On August 13th 1928 the first Black Rock picnic day was organized by the Black Rock Day Committee .
In 1914 on the 16th the cornerstone was laid for the new Assumption Church.
On the 18th in 1867 the East Street Zion German Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated.

Hot weather got you down?

2007-08-08T05:04:00.000-04:00

The cold and snow is not that far around the corner these photos will help to cool you down. { The header photo is Tonawanda St near Hertel Av during the October storm.} Above photo is Squaw Island.

This Week in Black Rock/Riverside History.

2007-08-06T00:38:00.000-04:00

This week in local history- 1978 St. Florian Church organist, Mrs Hedwig
sczepanski celebrates 50 years of service to the Church Community.

In 1937 National rowing Championships where held in the Black Rock Canal.

In 1823 Ground was broken for the Erie Canal in Black Rock and completed in 1825.

In 1910 Two of Buffalo's bravest Fire Fighters lost there lives in the Globe Elevator fire at Dearborn & Amherst Streets.

Been Busy

2007-07-17T21:55:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted in quite awhile just been very busy and I need a new digital camera so till I get a new cam I'll try to post some old pictures . There is a lot going on in the Neighborhood with church closings garden walks and summer projects so when I find the time I'll try and post something new. This week in BR/R history- On July 15th 1950 Buffalo's 13th annual soap box derby was held for the first time in Riverside, July 16th 1950 Black Rock / Riverside centennial was observed, July 19th 1978 the 50th annual BR picnic and play day @ Crystal Beach was held . Michael Geraci and Albert Weber were honored as the oldest members. "My pet rock is Black Rock"

School 60

2007-07-01T19:49:00.000-04:00

The kids in the photo are of Buffalo public school children around the turn of the century { last century of course}.

Fresh look for an old place.

2007-06-20T10:36:00.001-04:00

Gondola's over at the corner of Niagara & Austin is getting a fresh paint job it's looking good and almost done this is a before picture I will update with some new pics when the job is completed .

"Thats what your supposed to do"

2007-05-21T17:57:00.000-04:00

Thats what Dennis {PHOTO} said to me this weekend as I took a walk around the Neighborhood taking some pictures. I met up with Dennis near the old Engine 15/Creeley homestead at Amherst and East Streets more on the Firehouse at a later date. This Wen May 23rd 6:15 pm at the North West Buffalo Community Center you to can take a stand and join in on the conversation with the GNPA. This weeks meeting is with Tops store Manager Dave Zoldos about the many many Tops shopping carts that are left all over the BR/GA area on a daily basis . Dennis and his family life long Black Rock resident's once considered a move out of the city but stayed and instead of complaining about Quality of life issues he has quietly been doing something about it "Thats what your supposed to do". Like myself he says it's not about him it's about the community so he does his part as a resident not expecting his name in lights and not expecting Extra credit. So when you see Dennis or the many others like him that make our Community a unique and proud place to live don't ask what are you doing that for? how much you getting paid for that? Stop grab a brush or a broom and lend a FREE hand "Thats what your supposed to do". B.R.A

Where / What was it ? in Black Rock New York.

2007-05-17T22:50:00.000-04:00

SG Collection

Now & Then in Black Rock NY

2007-05-17T22:37:00.001-04:00

SG Collection

Atwater House raised for 9 parking spots? WTF!

2007-05-09T01:53:00.000-04:00

'A New look for the Advocate'

2007-05-04T01:22:00.000-04:00

Trivia: Do you know where these buildings once stood?

2007-05-04T01:12:00.001-04:00

Photo: S.G Collection

Buffalo ReUse

2007-05-04T00:20:00.000-04:00

TAKEN FROM BR The final debris were cleared away last night from 26 Lombard St., where just days ago another house stood neglected in its East Side neighborhood. But, thanks to Buffalo’s newest non-profit, this house fell by deconstruction, not total demolition. So instead of wasting away in a landfill, many of the home’s remains will find new life in other corners of the city. And the lot where the house once stood will likely become a garden for its very happy, horticulturally-blessed neighbor.

Volunteers with Buffalo ReUse took down the house, their first deconstruction attempt, in just four days. With 6-8 volunteers working each day, through the rain and mud, the group completely dismantled the building to ground level and successfully recycled 1,000s of pounds of material. All the salvaged material will be on sale at their Ellicott Street warehouse this Sunday.

The crew worked under the supervision of national deconstruction consultant David Bennink, of Re-Use Consulting, who has been guiding the founding members along their journey. He has clients from coast-to-coast who are trying to change the way societies look at their buildings and their resources.

Michael Gainer, executive director of Buffalo Re-Use, brought Bennink in to teach the new group techniques for deconstruction, which will continue to evolve with each new project.

"Now we know we can do it,” Gainer said upon completion Monday. “It's challenging but meaningful work. I think we're really ready to put this idea into motion and fulfill our mission."

The very triumphant, yet very tired, group will set out to dismantle their second home, on Wasson Street, on May 18.

Buffalo ReUse’s warehouse at 459 Ellicott St. will be open from noon to 3 p.m. this Sunday, May 6. Check here for a list of their salvaged inventory.

Tenant Market

2007-04-28T04:26:00.000-04:00

TenantMarket helps you find the right tenant fast by matching your property listing with actual renters' profiles.

Black Rock Academy PS:# 51 set to RE open!

2007-04-16T14:47:00.000-04:00

Black Rock Academy PS:# 51 is set to re open for the start of next years academic school year and remain open for at least 2 years. The purpose for the reopening after closing nearly 3 years ago is do to the major remodeling of nearby Riverside Institute of Technology High School set to begin this summer and be completed in 2-3 year time frame and the need to temporarily house the nearly 750 students.
While School #51 is not large enough to house the entire population of R.I.T it will comfortably hold the Freshmen and Sophomore classes of about 400 students.

While this is good news for one of our vacant Neighborhood buildings it is only temporary and is offset by the closers of other large facility's as i first wrote about {HERE} in the area such as St. John the Baptist R.C Church 60 Hertel Av. Or the soon to be closed St. Francis Xavier R.C Church at 149 East St.
A comprehensive plain is needed for these large pilers in the Community some plans that have been successfully include the Nearly Demolished former St. Mary of the Sorrows Roman Catholic Church 938 Genesse St now the King Center Charter School. And the nearly completed Artspace Lofts 1219 Main St on the city's near East side. Link to other completed Artspace projects. Follow the construction of Artspace Buffalo {HERE} .

The Nickel City is indeed the Dyngus Day Capital of the World...no doubt!"

2007-04-09T05:44:00.000-04:00

"In my travels and performances throughout the United States I have enjoyed the excitement of Dyngus Day in several cities and towns, however, no where is this holiday celebrated unilaterally and dynamically as it is in Buffalo, New York. The Nickel City is indeed the Dyngus Day Capital of the World...no doubt!" Lenny Gomulka, Polka Music Hall of Fame, Leader of Chicago Push, www.ChicagoPush.com

After a 20 year hiatus, Dyngus Day returns to the concourse of the Central Terminal! The parade, which begins at 5pm at the Broadway Market, will end at the terminal, where the merriment will ensue. If you don’t want to go to the parade, don’t worry, our doors will open at 5pm and the party will go on until 11pm.

“Those Idiots” and Lee Ron Zydeco will be providing the musical entertainment. Flying Bison will be offering a special Dyngus Day beer and Ulrich’s Bistro Europa and the K Sisters will be providing the food. Official Central Terminal merchandise will also be available.

Admission price is $8 and will get you into the parties at St. Stan’s and the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle (Mickie’s) or free with proof of admission from either Mickie’s or St. Stan’s. Come on out and enjoy the party of the Spring. You don’t have to be Polish to enjoy the Dyngus Day tradition!

2007-04-09T03:01:00.001-04:00

The New Urbanism

2007-04-09T00:37:00.000-04:00

An alternative to modern, automobile- oriented planning and development

ROBERT STEUTEVILLE

Through the first quarter of the last century, the United States was developed in the form of compact, mixed-use neighborhoods. The pattern began to change with the emergence of modern architecture and zoning and ascension of the automobile. After World War II, a new system of development was implemented nationwide, replacing neighborhoods with a rigorous separation of uses that has become known as conventional suburban development (CSD), or sprawl. The majority of US citizens now live in suburban communities built in the last 50 years.

Although CSD has been popular, it carries a significant price. Lacking a town center or pedestrian scale, CSD spreads out to consume large areas of countryside even as population grows relatively slowly. Automobile use per capita has soared, because a motor vehicle is required for the great majority of household and commuter trips.

Those who cannot drive are significantly restricted in their mobility. The working poor living in suburbia spend a large portion of their incomes on cars. Meanwhile, the American landscape where most people live and work is dominated by strip malls, auto-oriented civic and commercial buildings, and subdivisions without much individuality or character.

The New Urbanism is a reaction to sprawl. A growing movement of architects, planners, and developers, the New Urbanism is based on principles of planning and architecture that work together to create human-scale, walkable communities. New urbanists take a wide variety of approaches — some work exclusively on infill projects, others focus on transit-oriented development, still others are attempting to transform the suburbs, and many are working in all of these categories. The New Urbanism includes traditional architects and those with modernist sensibilities. All, however, believe in the power and ability of traditional neighborhoods to restore functional, sustainable communities. The trend had its roots in the work of maverick architects and planners in the 1970s and 1980s who coalesced into a unified group in the 1990s. From modest beginnings, the trend is beginning to have a substantial impact. More than 600 new towns, villages, and neighborhoods are planned or under construction in the US, using principles of the New Urbanism. Additionally, hundreds of small-scale new urban infill projects are restoring the urban fabric of cities and towns by reestablishing walkable streets and blocks.

On the regional scale, the New Urbanism is having a growing influence on how and where metropolitan regions choose to grow. At least 14 large-scale planning initiatives are based on the principles of linking transportation and land-use policies and using the neighborhood as the fundamental building block of a region.

In Maryland and several other states, new urbanist principles are an integral part of smart growth legislation.

Moreover, the New Urbanism is beginning to have widespread impact on conventional development. Just as Starbucks raised the quality of coffee in competing restaurants and cafes, mainstream developers are adopting new urban design elements such as garages in the rear of houses, neighborhood greens and mixed-use town centers. Projects that adopt some principles of New Urbanism but remain largely conventional in design are known as hybrids.

The New Urbanism trend goes by other names, including neotraditional design, transit-oriented development, and traditional neighborhood development. Borrowing from urban design concepts throughout history, the New Urbanism does not merely replicate old communities. New houses within neighborhoods, for example, must provide modern living spaces and amenities that consumers demand (and that competing suburban tract homes offer). Stores and businesses must have sufficient parking, modern floor plans, and connections to automobile and pedestrian traffic, and/or transit systems.

With proper design, large office, light industrial, and even "big box" retail buildings can be situated in a walkable new urbanist neighborhood. Parking lots, the most prominent feature of conventional commercial districts, are accommodated to the side and the rear of new urban businesses. The size of lots are reduced through shared parking, on-street parking, and shifts to other modes of transportation.

Another difference between the old and the New Urbanism is the street grid. Historic cities and towns in the US employ a grid that is relentlessly regular. New urbanists generally use a "modified" grid, with "T" intersections and street deflections to calm traffic and increase visual interest.

That blending of old and new is the basis of the adjective neotraditional, a term that carries a lot of baggage, especially with modernists, who see it as an architectural "style." However, it is more of an urban design approach that borrows from the past while adapting to the present and future. The very fact that new urbanists must meet the demands of the marketplace keeps them grounded in reality. Successful New Urbanism performs a difficult balancing act by maintaining the integrity of a walkable, human-scale neighborhood while offering modern residential and commercial “product” to compete with CSD. New urbanists who cannot compete with conventional development or find a niche that is poorly served by the real estate industry are doomed to failure.

The difficulty of that balancing act is one reason why many developers choose to build hybrids, instead of adopting all of the principles of the New Urbanism. Some new urbanists think that hybrids pose a serious threat to the movement, because they usually borrow the label and language of the New Urbanism. Other new urbanists believe that hybrids represent a positive step forward from CSD.

Principles of the New Urbanism

The heart of the New Urbanism is in the design of neighborhoods, which can be defined by 13 elements, according to town planners Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, two of the founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism. An authentic neighborhood contains most of these elements:

1) The neighborhood has a discernible center. This is often a square or a green and sometimes a busy or memorable street corner. A transit stop would be located at this center.

2) Most of the dwellings are within a five-minute walk of the center, an average of roughly 2,000 feet.

3) There are a variety of dwelling types — usually houses, rowhouses and apartments — so that younger and older people, singles and families, the poor and the wealthy may find places to live.

4) At the edge of the neighborhood, there are shops and offices of sufficiently varied types to supply the weekly needs of a household.

5) A small ancillary building is permitted within the backyard of each house. It may be used as a rental unit or place to work (e.g., office or craft workshop).

6) An elementary school is close enough so that most children can walk from their home.

7) There are small playgrounds accessible to every dwelling -- not more than a tenth of a mile away.

8) Streets within the neighborhood form a connected network, which disperses traffic by providing a variety of pedestrian and vehicular routes to any destination.

9) The streets are relatively narrow and shaded by rows of trees. This slows traffic, creating an environment suitable for pedestrians and bicycles.

10) Buildings in the neighborhood center are placed close to the street, creating a well-defined outdoor room.

11) Parking lots and garage doors rarely front the street. Parking is relegated to the rear of buildings, usually accessed by alleys.

12) Certain prominent sites at the termination of street vistas or in the neighborhood center are reserved for civic buildings. These provide sites for community meetings, education, and religious or cultural activities.

13) The neighborhood is organized to be self-governing. A formal association debates and decides matters of maintenance, security, and physical change. Taxation is the responsibility of the larger community.

New urbanist prototypes

Seaside, Florida, the first new urbanist town, began development in 1981 on 80 acres of Panhandle coastline. Seaside appeared on the cover of the Atlantic Monthly in 1988 when only a few streets were completed, and it since became internationally famous for its architecture and the quality of its streets and public spaces. Seaside proved that developments that function like traditional towns could be built in the postmodern era. Lots began selling for $15,000 in the early 1980s and, slightly over a decade later, lots prices had escalated to about $200,000. Today, some lots sell for close to a million dollars, and houses sometimes top $3 million. The town is now a tourist mecca.

Seaside’s influence has less to do with its economic success than a certain magic and dynamism related to its physical form. Many developers have visited Seaside and gone away determined to build something similar.

Since Seaside gained recognition, other new urban towns and neighborhoods have been designed and are substantially built — including Haile Village Center in Gainesville, Florida; Harbor Town in Memphis, Tennessee; Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland; Addison Circle in Addison, Texas; Orenco Station in Hillsboro, Oregon; Mashpee Commons in Mashpee, Massachusetts; and Celebration in Orlando, Florida.

Designers are also using the principles of the New Urbanism to build major new projects in cities and towns. In the mid-1990s, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) adopted the principles of the New Urbanism in its multibillion dollar program to rebuild public housing projects nationwide. New urbanists have planned and developed hundreds of projects in infill locations. Most were driven by the private sector, but many, including HUD projects, used public money. New urbanist projects built in historic cities and towns includes Crawford Square in Pittsburgh, City Place in West Palm Beach, Highlands Garden Village in Denver, Park DuValle in Louisville, and Beerline B in Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, leaders in this design trend came together in 1993 to form the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), based in Chicago. The founders are Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Peter Calthorpe, Daniel Solomon, Stefanos Polyzoides, and Elizabeth Moule, all practicing architects and town planners. CNU has since grown to more than 2,000 members and is now the leading international organization promoting new urbanist design principles.

Disney builds a town

In June of 1996, Disney unveiled its 5,000-acre town of Celebration, near Orlando, Florida, and it has since eclipsed Seaside as the best-known new urbanist community. In some respects, the New Urbanism and Disney have been uncomfortable bedfellows. While using designers and principles closely associated with the New Urbanism, Disney has shunned the label, preferring to call Celebration simply a “town.” Meanwhile, the movement may have benefited from all of Celebration’s publicity — but not without a price. Disney has come under attack for what some perceive as heavy-handed rules and management. For those who would attack the New Urbanism as insipid nostalgia, Disney is a fat target.

The fact remains that Celebration’s urban design is generally of high quality and by most accounts serves residents very well. Ray Chiaramonte, a former resident of Celebration who has since moved to a different new urban community, had this to say after his family moved to Disney's town: “The entire focus of our lives has changed. Instead of doing everything some place other than close to home, we now can eat, do errands, celebrate special occasions and just hang out near our own home. The changes are most dramatic for our children, who now have a freedom they never had in our old neighborhood.”

In the 1991 book Edge City, author Joel Garreau wrote that Americans have not built “a single old-style downtown from raw dirt in 75 years.” Celebration was the first real estate project to break that trend, opening its downtown in October, 1996 (Seaside's downtown was still mostly unbuilt at the time). Since then, scores of new urban projects have followed suit with their own downtowns and mixed-use districts.

But the new urbanists still have plenty of work to do. They must continue to design and build retail centers to compete with CSD nationwide. They must capture a broad portion of the residential market. New urbanist developers must get better at making their neighborhoods affordable. New urbanists also must prove, over time, that their ideas are superior for both revitalizing old cities and towns and building new communities.

If they can accomplish these goals — and many projects now offer hope that they can — the New Urbanism is poised to become the dominant real estate and planning trend of the 21st century.

Robert Steuteville is editor and publisher of New Urban News. This article was updated July 8, 2004.

Sportsmen's Tavern

2007-04-03T21:46:00.000-04:00

Artvoice has a nice video story about The Sportsmen's Tavern 326 Amherst Street Black Rock New York. Good times for all and many types of music never a cover charge. {calender of events.}

What's with the pilers from the Skyway?

2007-04-02T05:39:00.000-04:00

Did somebody throw this rendering together over a night or was 10's of thousand's of dollars spent to do this. Whats with the Concrete pilers there ugly.
$150 Million in taxpayer money for a retailer that sells a product that you can only use for six months out of the year doesn't seem right.
In 1995 $150 in taxpayer money would have moved the Niagara section of the thruway inward to the Railway lands.

Buffalo ReUse

2007-04-01T00:03:00.000-04:00

I hope this guy doesn't win the lotto

2007-03-30T02:20:00.000-04:00

Click on photo to make larger Quote taken from Free New York Blog

“Flippers”, as most practice today, ARE Sleazy.

"Jim–Doc Breem used to “flip” houses back in the 70’s. But not the way it’s done today. He’d buy them cheap, but rehab them using his own labor, time and materials, then either rent them out or sell them for a marginal to medium profit, depending on how much he had to put into the place to begin with.

Buying a property unseen, and selling it on E bay to some unsuspecting noid for profit is sleazy, no doubt. Worse yet, buying the property, stripping out the house of anything valuable, THEN selling it to some unsuspecting noid is the problem that Buffalo has.

Another problem Buffalo has is there are too many houses for the number of people left living there. Jim’s neighborhood is relatively new for Buffalo, it’s mostly a post WW2 built up area–but still makes it over a 60 year old neighborhood.

My mother’s house in Riverside was built in 1889–it was the 2nd house built on what was the Esser Farm. My dad remembers going out to that farm from Greeley St with his grandad with a horse and wagon to buy fresh eggs and chickens. But Much of the housing in Riverside was built in the era.

Many of the houses in Black Rock were built before 1870. My aunt’s house at 280 East St had the clapboards installed with wooden pegs instead of nails, and still had the gas jets in the walls for gas lighting. Now THAT’s old. But I digress.

If I hit the powerball tomorrow, one of the things I’d want to do is go into a neighborhood like Riverside, and start a new trend. Buy up all the houses on two streets (with backyards facing each other), tear all the houses down, and start over again. New Sewer and water lines, electric, phone and cable/internet lines underground, larger lots, and slightly larger, more comfortable homes that working families could afford. Gated and privately secured until I could afford to buy the next two streets.

The other big problem I see in neighborhoods like Riverside and Black Rock is absentee landlords. I know Joe Golombek agrees that they have ruined what was in our youth a vibrant neighborhood. When 3 of the 4 corners of Tonawanda and Ontario have gone from the Riverside Men’s Shop (at that spot for over 100 years), Rung’s Furniture (there almost as long) and Schnitzer’s Hardware (there for 80 years) to an empty storefront and 2 Rent-to-Own Stores, you know there’s an absentee landlord problem.

Section 8 tenants do no better a job of keeping up a neighborhood in rented homes than they did in public housing. It’s not theirs, and the government pays for them to live there, so why should THEY give a crap? So they don’t. And the neigborhood goes to hell. It’s truly a shame."

While what most of what is said is the truth the quote "Gated and privately secured until I could afford to buy the next two streets." how is a Gated Community good for the neighborhood ? I like many others choose to live here I am in a position to live pretty much where I want to I CHOOSE to live in a house that is 116 years old with a small garden no garage for the car your average 33' X 99' lot small front yard. I like most of my Neighbors owners and renters alike and most like me if I wanted to live with "New Sewer and water lines, electric, phone and cable/internet lines underground, larger lots, and slightly larger, more comfortable homes that working families could afford. Gated and privately secured until I could afford to buy the next two streets." I would move into a mac mansion in the Suburbs and live in a gated community close to someone much like yourself we probably wouldn't talk much but if we did we could talk about the OLDEN days in the hood and how great it was and how much of a shit hole it is now we can Monday morning QB about what we would do and what should be done and we can talk about those rental properties that we have in BR/R and how the ROCKERS trash them and how lucky we are that we don't live there damn they should level that whole place and start over again. But before we knock down those old drafty money pits we should strip out all that old woodwork and put it in one of those new Vinyl Victorians.

That green box on the corner

2007-03-26T17:21:00.000-04:00

Well it's a different color now Today I took two gallons of different color paint mixed it up and painted those Telephone company boxes on the corners of Dearborn & Austin and Dearborn at Amherst anybody wanna take bets on how long they will go before there tagged again.

2007-03-25T21:02:00.000-04:00

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. ~ Albert Einstein

The Return of The American Elm Tree

2007-03-25T19:18:00.000-04:00

Bought a 12' Princeton American Elm tree today and with the help of a Friend transported it and planted it in it's new home in front of my house at the curb. Five years ago the city planted a Maple but last Summer a high speed driver left the road and killed my tree. While this tree cost about $200 it's going to be worth it when it comes into shape and offers shade this tree grows 3 to 6 feet a year and can reach 100 feet.

Once the dominant feature in the American landscape east of the Rockies, the American elm ruled supreme as the shade tree of choice for generations of Americans prior to World War II. These large, graceful specimens with their upright, vase-shaped habit have shaded so many American streets that "Elm Street" is generally believed to be the most common street name in the United States. Unfortunately, in the early 1930s, a fungal infection borne in beetles was introduced into the United States in a shipment of lumber from Europe. This fungus turned into a deadly and catastrophic blight wiping out tens of millions of American elm trees over a period of decades. It was later labeled Dutch elm disease and is still referred to in that manner.

Introduced in 1922 by a wholesale tree grower in Princeton NJ, the Princeton American Elm is the only cultivated variety of American Elm (Ulmus Americana) that has an over 75-year landscape proven tolerance to Dutch Elm Disease. In fact, its longevity surpasses that of all other selected cultivars by several decades.

Breaking the surface

2007-03-22T19:56:00.000-04:00

This is a very welcome and common site this time of the year.

Where the buffalo {nians} roam

2007-03-22T19:24:00.000-04:00

Was surfin the local blogs and found a cool story about one man and his dream of returning to Buffalo.

New York State Board of Elections Money Trail

2007-03-22T03:53:00.000-04:00

Search engine from the New York State Board of Elections Money Donations - Right Here! I Took this from Fix Buffalo Thanks D.

2007-03-14T21:18:00.000-04:00

In the small town each citizen had done something in his own way to build the community. The town booster had a vision of the future which he tried to fulfill. The suburb dweller by contrast started with the future—with a shopping center for twice the population, with a school building already built, with churches constructed, with parks and playgrounds and swimming pools. These were as essential to building a suburb as the prematurely grand hotel had been to building a city in the wilderness. In large developments where the developer had a plan, and even in the smaller developments, there was a new kind of paternalism: not the quasi-feudal paternalism of the company town, nor the paternalism of the utopian ideologue. This new kind of paternalism was fostered by the American talent for organization, by the rising twentieth century American standard of living, and by the American genius for mass production. It was the paternalism of the market place. The suburban developer, unlike the small-town booster, seldom intended to live in the community he was building. For him community was a commodity, a product to be sold at a profit. -Daniel J. Boorstin

2007-03-13T15:14:00.000-04:00

Now is your opportunity to let your voice be heard!

2007-03-13T15:02:00.000-04:00

Common Council News Advisory For Immediate Release Dated March 9, 2007 Contact: Paul Wolf, Chief of Staff, Buffalo Common Council 851-5161 Public Hearing Regarding Development of Downtown Buffalo The Buffalo Common Council will hold a special meeting of the Council’s Community Development meeting chaired by Councilmember Joseph Golombek Jr. on Tuesday March 20th at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers located on the 13th floor of City Hall. The purpose of this evening meeting is to hear from the public as to what they would like to see happen in terms of development downtown. With the future demolition of the General Donovan building, rehab or demolition of the vacant Auditorium and the completion of the historic Erie Canal project, many development possibilities exist. What would you like to see happen in terms of downtown development? Do you support a public market at the DL&W terminal? Do you support Bass Pro coming to Buffalo? Do you support the removal of the Skyway? The public has not had much opportunity to comment about the development of downtown Buffalo. Now is your opportunity to let your voice be heard! -end-

What Others are saying.

2007-03-12T21:38:00.000-04:00

A trip around the Web using some keywords will give you an idea of how others feel about are little corner of the city. Some comments are from city residents and others are not some may upset you some are funny some are encouraging. These are just copied and pasted quotes so they don't make a complete paragraph. {No I don't wright run on sentences just new to the blogeshere and having some freshmen moments.}

"Black Rock is a pretty depressing area, as is Riverside. I've known folks who've lived there. I try and support businesses in both. We buy sausages at Spars. I bought my suits and my son's clothes at Riverside Men's Shop, but they've finally moved out. Both areas are manifestation of the self-separation that's occurring in WNY (City vs suburban) and in the country as a whole (surging southwest/declining northeast and midwest)". "Good for you, I'm glad to see you support local businesses My father grew up in Riverside and my mother in Black Rock (me Grand Island) and I remember when it was a decent place to live." " Given the added commute in terms of miles and time as well as the additional cost of parking, a 25% raise to take a downtown job shrinks significantly. If a suburbanite lives within 3 miles or 10 minutes of where he/she works now, it's going to cost significantly more in money and time to take that job in downtown. Not everyone feels that how much money you make is the most important thing in the world. You hit on almost every reason why I declined the job. Three others: 1 - Walking from your vehicle to the building in January when the freezing rain is coming off the lake at 30 miles per hour. No thanks. 2 - Being able to run errands during lunch. I can easily go to the post office, bank, convenience store, and get lunch quickly where I work in Black Rock. It takes upwards of 15 minutes just to get to your car when you work in that damn tower, depending on the wait for an elevator. It would be a different story if all of those conveniences were within a reasonable walking distance dowtown, but they aren't. 3 - I can get home in 10 minutes from where I currently work. It would be twenty, plus the added time of walking to the parking lot, if I worked at the tower". "I'll admit that the downtown location is part of the problem with the Bass Pro project. If Bass Pro was somewhere else besides downtown, it would require a lot less in public money: no rehabbing the old Aud, no parking garage, no ramp reconfiguration, no transit hub. Buffalo is more than just downtown. How about the largely empty commercial/industrial area around South Ogden Street tolls? Better yet, how about a site in Black Rock near the river and just off the I-190 at Amherst or Austin Street exits?". "Actually, Bass Pro doesn't fit on the Buffalo Inner Harbor. The Buffalo waterfront by the Aud has always been a commercial/industrial area not a recreational boating area except for the last 20-30 years with the building of the Erie Basin Marina and the marina across the Buffalo River near the Coast Guard Station. The Small Boat Harbor has long been the recreational boating center south of downtown. A site close to the SBH would be a better fit for Bass Pro if access wasn't a problem. The marinas along the Black Rock Canal north of Squaw Island over to the Ontario Street boat launch have long been the recreational boating center north of downtown. If the city could put together a big enough parcel, the Niagara Street-Amherst Street-Austin Street area would be an excellent site for Bass Pro. I believe that Lake Ontario is considered the "world class" bass fishery. I think that Lake Erie is better known for its walleyes". "North of Buffalo" is not the same as North Buffalo. Kenmore is north of Buffalo. Somwhere west of Delaware, North Buffalo becomes Riverside. You'll notice a lot of Polish, Ukranian and other Eastern European names in Riverside. It was the last section of the City opened up by the Beltline RR. I highly recommend Spars on Amherst for their fresh German sausages. Black Rock always confuses me. I think that's on the West Side beyond Richmond where all the streets go to a 45 degree angle. Like Connecticut and Masshachusetts. The streets were laid out on a different grid, because the village of Black Rock was separate from the village of Buffalo. But where Black Rock becomes Riverside is a mystery to me". "Local, non-chain retailing and restaurants, much less neighborhood grocery stores, butcher shops, shoe stores, etc, are memories.We've become people who have isolated ourselves within our homes, within our backyards, within our own small circle of family and friends, so where is all this pedestrian traffic going to come from that's supposed to support the "new urbanism"? You don't spend much time on the West side, Hertal, Jefferson avenue or Elmwood areas do you? These areas are full of pedestrian traffic everyday. I buy all my meats from a family owned Butcher shop on Grant (one of 4 in the Grant st.area) every week as well as getting my vegetables from Guercio's (family owned and thriving so well they just had to purchase the adjacent property for storage space). Plenty of people along Elmwood avenue, Hertal, Black rock riverside, and Jefferson avenue live a similar existence. I know all my neighbors (on my block) and no one has a barbeque or backyard get together without asking fellow neighbors to join in. Everyone doesn't want to live the Edward scissor hands strip mall suburban existence". "Not all of us. You want the City to be healthier, live and shop in it. You like the Broadway Market, shop there. You like the local restaurants, eat there. You like the fact Budwey's is non-union, shop there. (OK. Some of us may like that last one better than others. ) Excellent point. citymouse. If you live near the grant street corrider (from grant and forest to grant ferry)you never have to leave your nieghborhood. We have a dibbles hardware store just off grant street to get home stuff at least 4 butcher shops a vegtable market that has fresh veggies shipped in weekly, a couple of dollar stores to get knick knacks, a family dollar, Life styles cloths shop, 2 drug stores, a shoe store and a zillion diners and pizzaries all within 20 minutes walking distance. As I stated earlier Black Rock Riverside, Elmwood, Hertal, and the Fillmore area all have the same stuff. (although the east side is lacking in the butcher shop dept) Everyone doesnt shop at major supermarkets like tops and wegmanns. I can also walk to the park and go to the zoo or just hang out (25 minutes) or the art gallery (20 minutes) or the elmwood strip (15 minutes). Perhaps your shopping habits are just so different from mine that we arent on the same page...... or maybe you need to get outta your car and see whats around you " "It would be nice if they downgraded the Niagara Expressway to a parkway like they are doing with the Scajaquada. Connect the Westside, Black Rock & Riverside neighborhoods to the new Niagara Parkway. Buffalo always had a canal and a railroad but that there was a lot of green space between the canals, rail roads and the neighborhoods...there had to be thats were all the industry was located. While we dont have the barges or the railroads, the canal is now a great recreational vehicle and provides an anchor for the local community (if it was connected and integrated into the community)". "They are ignoring it because it is of no benefit to them. Here is the smell test: 1. How much will I receive in campaign contributions if I support this proposal? 2. Will a beaurocracy be created to manage the project? If not, can an existing beaurocracy be expanded? 3. Can any of my buddies make a quick buck off the project? If yes, see smell test #1. 4. Is a economically viable Black Rock really in my best interests as a politician? In other words, who will vote for my transfer of wealth policies when the citizens of black rock no longer need welfare?". "I work in D district {Police Officer}. If your talking about Riverside/Black Rock area, yes that has always been a working mans neighborhood. Its something to be proud of. The poster who attacks that area and its people then and now, is just an empty asshole. They are uneducated about that area. Granted, it has seen better days, but it has always been a working class area and God bless them for working. If you have a big problem in that area try posting the problem and area on here and I will swing by there when I'm working. Cant promise anything, its very busy lately but I will try. Dont give up hope, dont give up your neighborhood".

Then and Now

2007-03-11T18:51:00.000-04:00

Photos of Yesteryear and This year. This set is Niagara St between Hamilton and Amherst. The black and white photo is from the 1930's and is apart of the {S.G} Collection.

Corner Lots

2007-03-11T18:10:00.000-04:00

Corner Lots are the welcome mat to a Neighborhood especially one on a main drag . An unkempt empty lot on a corner can make the first impression a bad one for a entire Community. This large lot at 1921 Niagara St. corner of Hamilton has been in disrepair forever it's location and size make it a viable location for a wide variety of uses. However the Barbed wire fence that has seen better days and the 3' high grass in the summer time are not the best selling points. Any suggestions on what can be done to advertise this property or get the current owner to take responsibility please chime in.

2007-03-09T20:45:00.000-05:00

Tony's House

2007-03-07T09:56:00.000-05:00

Former Buffalo Mayor Tony Mobsiello made a choice to follow the exact recommendations of a outside firm when they completed a study of restructuring the city's Firehouses and he put in place a puppet named Michael L. D'Orazio to make sure his way was the only way. Mike ya Tone i will make you Commissioner of da Fire Dept if you do as i say. Ok Tone. Mike ya Tone jump. How high Tone? Mike ya Tone the sky is falling. Yes boss. Mike ya Tone go to da GNPA meeting and tell dem people over in da Rock dat weer gonna build a brand new Firehouse to better protect the more affluent people of North Buffalo. Tell dem dat weer gona move Engine 36 from Elmwood Av and Truck 12 from Amherst St to a brand spankin new house on Hertel. Tell dem what they wanna hear. Ok Tone. So GNPA that's what Tony said is gonna happen . Mr D'Orazio that location that you propose on Hertel is a busy intersection would a different location be more sutable for a busy Firehouse. No that's what Tony said. Mr D'Orazio the lot at 860 Hertel is worth about 50k let's get this right the city is going to give a lot Downtown worth 180k to a Developer in return for this poor location at 860 Hertel is that right. Um thats what Tony said. So Engine 36 and Ladder 12 will be moved and Truck 13 at Colvin and Linden will close? Thats what Tony said. Mr D'Orazio thank you for your time. And thank for allowing me to come in here and BS all of you. Now be careful when you leave here tonight Tony said that the sky is falling.

In a place not so far away

2007-03-01T13:50:00.000-05:00

There is a sledding hill a frozen pond for skating you can cross country ski{more on Summer activity's in the Summer} and your dogs can run and run the dear graze . Some of the best views of the Mighty Niagara River the historic Black Rock locks and you may even see a Choo Choo Train. It's a five minute walk from the Neighborhood yet far enough separated that you don't here the sounds of the city is this a scene out of a Norman Rockwell work. No i will tell you where it is but it's our little secret so don't tell anybody OK Squaw Island park is located at the Northern end of Squaw Island and is reached just off of Niagara street near the International RR Bridge. 11.5 Million has been spent to convert the old landfill into a 70 acre Natural park. Recently work was completed on the entrance to Squaw Island Park at the tune of $100k all of the land north of the city water treatment plant to the islands northern most point is the city's newest protected green space let me make this completely clear ALL of the land just north of the water treatment plant to the northern most point not just north of the International RR bridge crossing is protected untouchable public green space for all to enjoy make no mistake about it residents have fought for a long time to regain Squaw Island and i can't believe it's finally ours and nobody is ever going to take it away or shadow it. This past summer i told my neighbor about the new park it took me some convincing but he made his way over there one sunny summer afternoon and he hasn't looked back "WOW he said i can't believe how beautiful it is over there i thought i was in the Tonawanda's only better".

Black Rock Riverside GNPA Meeting Tonight

2007-02-28T07:24:00.000-05:00

Stevan said...: Black Rock Riverside GNPA has a General Meeting on Wednesday, 2/28 @ 6:15 in the NW Buffalo Community Center, all are welcome. Come participate in planning our community. For those interested in Zoning, Land-Use, and Urban Design, the subcommittee has a meeting on Tuesday 2/27 @ 6:15 at the NW Buffalo Community Center, 155 Lawn Ave

Now if we could do this 12,000 times over.

2007-02-27T21:26:00.000-05:00

Buffalo Rising today This house at 15 S. Putnam has stood victim to the elements – it’s been vandalized, looted, and its leaking roof has made it uninhabitable. In June 2006, the structure was condemned by the city due to structural problems, destined for demo.

But now – thanks to cooperation between the University of Buffalo School of Architecture, Harvey Garrett, and home owner Dennetta Stickel – new, and decidedly unique, life will be breathed into the otherwise abandoned house. Under the direction of Professors Frank Fantauzzi and Brad Wales, the project architect, 14 graduate students will be working creatively to revitalize the structure. It is a unique opportunity for the students to use their classroom architecture training in a real-life application.

Professor Fantauzzi has worked on such projects in the past, including a house in Springville, but never with the goal of completely saving a crumbling structure. “This is a unique project because the building will be refurbished and saved,” Fantauzzi said. “Regardless of what we do, there’s the thinking that this building will be rehabilitated, and that means we can be daring with our project. We hope it will capture peoples’ imagination, and everyone in the city will do a double-take. It’s rare in architecture that you’re given that latitude.”

Each of the students will design models and jointly brainstorm ideas for structural changes to the house. Buffalo Rising will be following the progress of this project closely, as it will provide a unique look into both the practical aspects of architecture and the rehabilitation of a West side home and, hopefully, the stabilization of the community.

“It will clean up and hopefully save a project that was going to come down,” said Garrett, who helped find the house and move the project forward. “We’re hoping it’s a good opportunity to help residents in Buffalo better understand the value of their properties. And, not unimportant, it further attaches these students to the neighborhoods and to Buffalo. Anything we can do to help attach college students to the city is good.”

2007-02-26T19:23:00.000-05:00

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
Charles De Gaulle French general & politician (1890 - 1970)

Buy this book

2007-02-25T16:50:00.000-05:00

If you don't have this Buffalo Architecture book you may want to bid on this one. A section of the book is dedicated to Black Rock.

Compile your list now and join a GNPA meeting.

2007-02-25T07:59:00.000-05:00

Found this story on Buffalo Rising .The City is teaming with community activists to find some consensus and relief, on both parts, in the process of housing inspections. Addressing the fact that it is the neighbors who know which vacant and blighted properties are causing the most trouble in their community, residents will have the opportunity to prioritize the list of inspections undertaken in each district.

The program, which is spearheaded by the Good Neighbors Planning Alliance, will in theory help City Hall manage their resources more efficiently (we all know there are scores more vacant houses in this city than inspectors can reasonably handle) while simultaneously addressing the concerns of neighborhood activists.

“It helps us if people in the neighborhoods are telling us which house is the most serious concern,” said Rich Tobe, head of strategic planning for the city. “And we’re perfectly prepared to report back to them on the status once the inspection is completed.”

Through a series of talks, Tobe and members of the GNPA came up with a process that says that each GNPA will every two weeks generate 10 properties for the inspectors to focus on. The properties will be discussed and decided upon at GNPA meetings in each of the districts.

“It really does help the city to prioritize limited resources,” said Harvey Garrett, a West side GNPA co-chair who spearheaded the effort. “If we can all agree the properties that are bad, then we can address the ones that are causing the biggest problems. Anyone who wants to prioritize a property can come to the GNPA meeting and make their case.”

Harvey said this process will also be good for the planning alliances because it will likely bring more community members into the meetings, who will in turn learn of other community issues that need to be addressed. “I you want people to be involved, you have to give them a reason to come,” he said. “Something like this will have a direct impact on their community right now, not later. And once they get involved, they can have an impact on bigger community plans as well.”

Tobe said the prioritization process has been in existence to some extent since the summer, but building efforts and support are revitalizing the program and making it more useful. Harvey recently undertook a fight to save 109 Norwood from a cruel fate by finding a potential buyer and prioritizing its inspection. (Stay tuned to BRO for more details on this pending deal as they develop). Plans are in effect to create a website so people can keep up to date on which properties are being addressed and, if they don’t like the way things are working, come to the GNPA meetings and help prioritize their own concerns.

2007-02-24T09:29:00.000-05:00

I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them.
George Bush US Republican politician (1924 - )

A new charity anounced today!

2007-02-22T20:40:00.000-05:00

Buffalo Developer Carl Paladino Tells Ch 4 today that he does not make any money from leasing space to the Federal Government.

Small Streets

2007-02-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

Our area has some of the smallest,shortest,narrowest, streets in the city. These streets are unique in there own ways a look at some older maps shows the changes to these streets from there original layouts some of these streets offer a quiet alternative to a busier one .

Lunch on a spring day

2007-02-21T13:18:00.000-05:00

Well OK it's not spring but 35 Degrees is like a warm front compared to -2 with a Negative 15 wind chill anyway i just got back from lunch at Nick's place on Amherst St with a couple black rockers if you have never been there i suggest you make your way over there for Breakfast or Lunch after we ate we walked across the street to the Habitat for Humanity REstore it's like Amvets but for home remodeling.

2007-02-21T13:15:00.000-05:00

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead US anthropologist & popularizer of anthropology (1901 - 1978)

The Grant Amherst Business Association

2007-02-20T22:03:00.000-05:00

1915 Photo courtesy of broadviewnet.net

A Regular contributer to the Advocate and a local resident sent along this email to myself and i wanted to share it . Last Friday evening, Amherst Street was buzzing. The Art Scene was alive & well. Doreen Debooth's Artsphere Gallery's opening was filled with amazing work as usual. Next door, at the former Howie's Appliance Store, now owned by Susan Cholewa, was the host site for a Buffalo State College Masters Degree Final Art Exhibit. Jill Hart passed with flying colors. Jill filled the wonderful space with an impressive & thought provoking exhibit of her Master's Thesis Sculpture. The crowd was an interesting collection of college students & faculty, Amherst Street art afficienatios, and a general collection of hipsters, geeks, and even some of Buffalo's high society. A great time was had by all, and then the celebration moved down the street to Casey's. Congratulations to Doreen, Susan, & Jill, for setting the stage for future collaborative evenings. The Grant Amherst Business Association is very proud of the accomplishments of these two ladies.

Willie

2007-02-20T07:15:00.000-05:00

If you write a post and put it on a blog, that's a historical document. If you change your template, then that entry looks completely different. It's the same words, but not the same meaning. This all depends on what historical questions that people will be asking and we can't know what they will want.: Josh Greenberg, Digital Preservation and Blogs, SXSW 2006

Friday Night on Amherst St.

2007-02-16T02:52:00.000-05:00

Artsphere at 466 and Cholewa's shop next door at 464 Amherst will both be hosting openings on Friday, Feb.16 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

"Everybody's talking about smart growth, but nobody is talking about smart decline,"

2007-02-15T22:38:00.000-05:00

An Advocate reader sent to me a pretty interesting read. One example Youngstown, Ohio, the population, now about 83,000, is less than half what it was when the steel industry collapsed in the 1970s. Richmond is another example of positive restructuring.

Only faint traces remain of the old glamour of Richmond's Jackson Ward district. The marquee is fading on the Hippodrome Theater, where Bill "Bojangles" Robinson danced, Ella Fitzgerald sang and Duke Ellington played. There are few businesses in the 40-square-block neighborhood once called the Wall Street of Black America because of its many banks.

Today, however, there are signs of a rebound. Historic row houses have been refurbished. Restaurants are opening. New homes are going up near a statue of "Bojangles." Shells of Greek and Georgian Revival, Queen Anne and Italianate houses, many adorned with elaborate ironwork and cast-iron porches, could be had for $30,000 to $40,000 10 years ago. They're selling for more than $250,000 today. Fix Buffalo Today Has a related story and link to an interview with Youngtown's Mayor.

$469,000 for a shoebox/victorian home in San Francisco

2007-02-14T04:48:00.000-05:00

A small investment of $469,000 will buy you this San Francisco 2 bed 1 bath GRAND VICTORIAN. The government pays $1925 per month for section 8 tenants to live there.

Craig & Yvonne's Victorian Home

2007-02-14T04:02:00.000-05:00

Been watching this site for a couple years now very good site about restoring an old Victorian home . Here is a funny excerpt from there site-

Open Letter to Rich People

Dear Rich People,

First of all we would like to thank you for taking the time to read about our restoration project. We are a young, hard-working couple who are trying to restore a piece of history for future generations to enjoy. These projects, while very rewarding upon completion, are very, very expensive. We are doing almost all of the work ourselves to cut the costs, but even the cost of the raw materials is staggering. If you are inspired by the work we are doing, we would like to let you know that we are accepting donations. We have not received any donations as of yet, but we remain hopeful. In exchange for your very generous gift, we would happily name a room in your honor. (i.e. "The Rockefeller Living Room" or perhaps "The Trump Bedroom") Just think of the pride that you would feel knowing that you have financed such a worthy cause. You could send the website link to all of your wealthy friends and say, "That's right, I paid for that!" With your generous donation also comes a permanent invitation to all our future Halloween Parties. (a privilege that money cannot buy. Well, in this case...) Please send an e-mail and we can arrange a funds transfer.

Anyway, thanks in advance for your huge, lump-sum donation. (did I mention tax-deductible?) We really appreciate it!

Sincerely,

Craig & Yvonne

If you have any questions please e-mail us at:

Craig@OurVictorianHouse.com

Property Flipping and Buffalo

2007-02-14T02:42:00.000-05:00

Taken from Flippedmovie.com

About 80% of properties flipped in Buffalo are sold over the internet and are done so in the following manner.

A "buyer", usually from out of state, purchases a foreclosed property cheaply, makes no improvement to the property and quickly resells it on the internet. In many cases, they have never even set in foot in Buffalo, but we do have several people who live here and who have been making huge profits riding the internet wave and professing "They live in the Buffalo area and are different from the scammers selling online. Trust them they won't steer you wrong...buy a house from them and see HUGE profits." Well....the ones who are making HUGE profits are themselves!

Why is this a bad thing?

In most cases the properties are so grossly misrepresented that the new owner believing he purchased a "good" property finds out he bought a property that has most likely been vacant many years, is heavily vandalized and is in need of so many repairs that they abandon the property leaving the houses to continue to sit and cause further blight to already distressed neighborhoods.

Good investors vs. Bad investors

We encourage good investors to purchase property in our city. Buffalo is our home and we love our city, but in many cases the people buying houses in Buffalo do not understand the conditions here. We ask that if you are interested in buying a property in Buffalo please come see our Beautiful city first.....email us for information.

Interesting link here Sacramento Area Flippers In Trouble.

Tonawanda St. in the day and today.

2007-02-13T18:41:00.000-05:00

Wow this view has certainly changed shown is Tonawanda St. one block south of Riverside Park looking South.

Corner of Niagara St. @ Austin St.

2007-02-13T18:34:00.000-05:00

The photos show the same location one as it looks today and one as it appeared in the 1930's. This building is currently unoccupied and may be available for lease or sale if interested Email me @ black-rock@adelphia.net and i will see what i can fined out.

Ontario St. U. M. Church

2007-02-13T18:10:00.000-05:00

This Saturday the Ontario St. U. M. Church will have a SUPER CHICKEN DINNER . There monthly chicken dinner/serving 1/2 baked chicken/mashed potatoes&gravy/green beans,southern style/salad/roll/homemade deserts. All for $6.95-eat in/$7.20 take out. Free delivery for Riverside & surrounding neighborhoods. Ontario St. Church today. Ontario St. Church in the 1930's

Alot Like Buffalo

2007-02-11T17:54:00.000-05:00

Taken from Forgotten Detroit a story much like our own.

Forgotten Detroit

Detroit is known for one of the most stunning collections of pre-depression architecture in the world. The past two decades have seen several of these treasures sit vacant, waiting for economic revival. On these pages you will find information about the past, present, and future situations of a few of these landmarks. It is my hope that this information helps you gain an appreciation for the importance of both the history and continued survival of these buildings.

Do we need another empty lot?

2007-02-08T20:06:00.000-05:00

Do we need another empty lot? 1941 Niagara St has been on the Demolition list for some time now it has been wide open for years a fire did some damage . Vandals and vagrants have done there share to add to it's demise the damage has been substantial but not devastating. City building codes say that a vacant lot this size is not big enough to build on so i ask Do we need an empty lot on Niagara St . We already have an empty lot on that block can we carry another the future of the Niagara St corridor is based on what is done today. This property is located directly across the street from a large antique store and the old Jubilee Community center just one block north of a revitalized block of business's. Niagara St from Amherst St to Hamilton St has never looked better in my lifetime .North of Hamilton is also on an upswing with a mix of Commercial and residential including a couple painted lady Victorians and some stops on the BRR garden walk. Do we need another empty lot?

It's History

2007-02-07T08:15:00.000-05:00

The Appellate court upheld a State Supreme Court ruling to allow the Demolition by Neglect of the Atwater House as Mr Pano has let the building rot. This is proof that nothing is safe anywhere in the city that is not located in a historic district. Black Rock could benefit from this designation as we are rich in historic buildings and parks. One such park that was apart of the "Rock" since 1830 and lost was "Porter Square" located at 1733 Niagara St opposite from the entrance to Squaw island park. James Gianni said if he could not obtain the park to build a warehouse he would have to move his company out of the city the park was listed on the upcoming 2003 city auction under a false address one day before the auction John Hannon, Real Estate Division Head for the city of Buffalo brokered a back door deal to sell the park to Gianni for the sum of $16,000 Gianni just sold the park for $185,000. Who got the shit end of the stick the people in this community did. Fix Buffalo has a question that needs to be answered. Check out these pictures of 97 Dodge street this house is also marked for demo where is the petition to stop this gem from going to the land fill?

School #51 class of 1913.

2007-02-06T18:51:00.000-05:00

Photo of Black Rock Academy school #51 class of 1913. In the background is Hertel Av at Guernsey St notice the empty lots not a lot has changed in 100 years except maybe the cloths. In 2005 the Buffalo Board of Education voted to close 51 after 111 years of service to our community with little fanfare. The building is still used by the Buffalo Board of Education for storage it's future is uncertain. The last classes were held in 2003.

$13,500 Will buy you this property

2007-02-05T18:10:00.000-05:00

This building looks to be in good condition it has a nice roof a small garage two Bedroom one full bath two half bath's Downstairs was a bar. This is a really cool place at a steal. This appears to be the only vacant building on the block. There is a very good discussion regarding vacant property's over at

fix buffalo today

Barns in the Hood

2007-02-05T17:44:00.000-05:00

All of these barns are within walking distance of each other. Some have been reused while others may be domed the large photo at the top is an amazing building it would make a nice loft or business it has an empty lot next to it and a larger garage directly across from it. From what i understand the owner is from out of state.

2007-02-02T06:42:00.000-05:00

Will Phil see his shadow Today I'm predicting March 20th as the first day of Spring. It's not to early to start talking about those Spring projects I'm excited about getting to work on some Neighborhood stuff anybody have any new Community ideas{Community Gardens?} I'm thinking about posting a different location to meet up on a Saturday or Sunday for a couple of hours to clean up a empty lot board up a vacant house cover up some graffiti or collect Tops sopping carts!

2007-01-31T20:19:00.000-05:00

Getting the word out about Black Rock In da Buff: Naked Words from the Naked City Pass the word about B.R.A to all that are interested in the future of our City. Bring your concerns your hopes your dreams and especially your ideas for the future of our area to this community blog share what you will. Email me at black-rock@adelphia.net with any ideas that you would like to see highlighted on this site. B.R.A

2007-01-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

The International RR bridge was completed in 1873 the original wooden customs house seen here in black & white was used from 1873 until 1915 when a new building was erected also seen in the rear of the B/W photo. The original house sat where the railroad overpass is now located the B/W photo also shows a bit of Porter Square in the background to the right of the picture. What's wrong with this sign can you find the mistake? This entrance to Squaw Island park around 1730 Niagara St has been a long time coming. It looks vary well done and is a welcome addition to the area. The railroad over pass looks bright and colorful with it's screen printing on either side of the bridge. New lighting, railings, and landscaping complete the entrance to the best kept secret in the city more on Squaw Island at a later date.

2007-01-30T00:15:00.000-05:00

Positive reuse shows no project is to big. Nearly Demolished the former St. Mary of the Sorrows Roman Catholic Church 938 Genesse St {Above} is now the King Center Charter School. Can this be implemented at the former St. John the Baptist R.C Church 60 Hertel or the soon to be closed St. Francis Xavier R.C Church at 149 East St.

2007-01-29T20:52:00.000-05:00

The case of the missing plaque. Where did our plaque on the Jubille Library go. Probable made of bronze the marker to the right of the building went missing while the marker on the left remains for now shortly after the city decided to lease the building to a nearby business owner who knows nothing of the missing marker that was bolted to the foundation since day one. The city of Buffalo also has no idea of it's whereabouts do you?

2007-01-29T19:37:00.000-05:00

249 East St. For sale at government auction.

Two years ago this house was empty and at least two large oak fireplace mantels where striped and stolen from the first floor. This house has or had i haven't seen the interior in two years oak mantels, doors,floors,heavy trim and wains coating. The last occupants of this property where into illegal activity and they did nothing to maintain this once beautifully home so it's present condition is not known.I would like to see what is under this siding i am sure there is a lot of detail covered. If any potential owner occupants are interested in this property or more pictures of this house let me know and i will see what i can find out. There is a lot of potential for this property as it sits on a nice smaller side street it offers a yard a driveway and a garage. B.R.A

2007-01-23T01:16:00.001-05:00

I am starting this Blog to bring to attention the Great History the People the Architecture that is the fabric that helped shape Black Rock ,NY . This area of Buffalo located along the Mighty Niagara River has seen much change in the last 200 years but maybe not as much as recent . I hope to shed some light on the current issues of our Community the People, Politics, Infrastructure . I hope to receive some feedback from those that love this city and it's people your ideas and incites on how to make this once thriving area of Western New York a leader a destination something to be proud of. This Page is brand new and it is going to take some time to build so bare with me I hope to update this page as much as possible with current going on's and Pictures of the Neighborhood both new and old as I have lot's to share and I hope you do to. Black Rock Advocate