Wed. Sept. 19, 2001 7:00 PM
Mark your calendars and hope to see you there!
Come Visit Allentown's Night Out Against Crime Tue. August 7, 2001, 6-8PM in Arlington Park.
In conjunction with the 18th Annual National Night Out, the Allentown Association, Inc. invites
residents to visit Arlington Park to support Night Out Against Crime. The event is designed to
heighten crime/drug prevention awareness, generate support for Allentown's anti-crime efforts,
strengthen neighborhood spirit and community police relations, and to diminish criminal behavior
by showing neighborhood involvement in crime prevention endeavors.
New Business In Neighborhood.
Congratulations to Pat Heaverlo of St. John's Place on her business venture on Porter Avenue.
Pat, along with a partner, will open the "Morning Glory" coffee shop on Porter Avenue at York,
in a former tailor shop. We wish Pat luck with her new enterprise and encourage her ongoing
commitment to the neighborhood!
Cyclists to Celebrate Pan American Centennial by Riding Victorian Bicycles Around Symphony
Circle in August.
The New York State Chapter of the Wheelmen will host approximately 200 members of their
National Club, The Wheelmen, in Buffalo from August 8th through August 12, 2001. This
group, as the surviving organization of the League of American Wheelmen, will be celebrating
their centennial return to Buffalo in 2001. It is believed that they are the ONLY heritage
organization returning for the centennial Pan American celebration. They will be in Buffalo on
nearly the same dates they were in attendance 100 years ago at the Pan American Exposition
where they held their National Meet in 1901. On Friday, August 10, at 11:00 am, a Parade Ride
of 200 vintage bicycles (all manufactured before 1917) will occur down Richmond Avenue to
Symphony Circle then down Porter to the waterfront visiting Col. Ward Pumping Station and
returning to Delaware Park Casino and the original Pan American grounds.
7th Annual Garden Walk Huge Success In KCA Neighborhood.
Our neighborhood's participation in the Annual Garden Walk held on July 28 and 29, 2001 was a
huge success. Many people specifically targeted our area to visit because of the density of
gardens and our outreach. Thanks to everyone who participated again and those who were new
(Steve Osterstrom and Patrick Thomas; Donna Levin) this year. Our neighborhood received
amazing coverage in Sunday's 7/29/01 Buffalo News, featuring the new garden of Candace
Church and Dinah Gamin. Also featured in the article were the gardens of Ann Angelo and
Susan Persico. The glowing article induced many thousands of people to visit our neighborhood
and have a great time on Sunday. Our block club once again set up an information table outside
of the Coda Restaurant at 350 Pennsylvania St, sold Garden Walk T-shirts and gave away water
provided by donations from the block club and Mayers Brothers. Thanks to all those who
participated in the Garden Walk and at our KCA information table. This is a great event for both
residents and visitors.
Orton Gardens Look Awesome!
In conjunction with the Garden Walk, neighbors worked overtime to get our block club's
community garden - Orton Gardens - complete. Despite the drought and lack of irrigation this
season, all is looking good. Thanks is due to John Allen for donating the use of his truck to pick
up almost 100 bags of mulch and pine chips to create walking paths in the garden. Likewise, Beth
Kauffman has been relentless in her weeding and watering. Coco Wozniak from Grassroots
Gardens made sure that our fence and sign were in place for the Garden Walk. We are currently
working on obtaining water for the garden, installing 10 hetzi juniper bushes and expanding the
vegetable beds. If you are interested in helping with maintenance or would like to adopt a
vegetable bed in the spring of 2002, please call Chris Brown, 884-1914.
Kleinhans Music Hall Reflecting Pool Restoration Nearing Completion.
The reflecting pool which has been absent from Kleinhans Music Hall for decades is nearing its
return and should be complete by the beginning of the Philharmonic season in the fall.
Construction began in October 2000 and the careful restoration of the pool will have taken about
a year. The reflecting pool was considered an important component of the Music Hall's design by
architects Eliel and Eero Saarinen. The well-renowned Allentown architectural firm of Hamilton,
Houston and Lownie are spearheading the return of the pool. It will be equipped with a state of
the art filtering device and will only be 3" deep - because the original was 3 feet deep and difficult
to maintain, it was filled in many years ago. We hope that the community will do what it can to
continue to keep both Symphony Circle and the new reflecting pool free of litter. Kleinhans
Music Hall continues to be an important asset to the neighborhood and one of only a handful of
National Historic Landmarks in the Western New York region.
32 St. John's Pl. Demotion Shelved for at Least a Year.
On July 19th members of the KCA block club, the Allentown Association, Inc. and Preservation
Coalition, Inc. met with Lou Petrucci, Chief Building Inspector for the City of Buffalo. A walk
through of the property took place and it was identified that the roof of the structure is causing its
decay. Collectively, we were all concerned with the potential loss of density on St. John's Place
should the structure be demolished. A fire occurred there in April 1998 and the building has been
unoccupied ever since. We are attempting to find a way to secure the roof so that we are not
forced to raze the house in 2001. Long-term, there may be opportunities to save the house or at
least develop a site plan after the house may be demolished. We hope to find a way to secure the
roof to buy us time to properly analyze the situation and not be in a rush to demolish the house.
If the house is lost, it will dramatically change the face of St. John's Place and forever negatively
affect the street's housing density.
Lead Abatement Information Kits Available to Area Residents.
As reported in July 16, 2001 issue of The Buffalo News, there are some pending test cases to
determine whether property owners may be liable for lead poisoning for residents in their home.
Jeffrey Jurewicz from the Erie County Department of Health has some information packets
available for those who are concerned that their homes may have exposed lead paint. Since most
of the homes in our neighborhood were built between 1865-1890, it is highly likely that there is
lead paint contained in our homes before it was removed from sale in the late 1970s. If you are
interested in obtaining an information packet, come to the August KCA meeting on August 15,
2001, 7PM at First Presbyterian Church or call Chris Brown at 884-1914. You can also contact
Jeffrey from Erie County directly at 885-0800.
KCA Area Historic Tour Scheduled for September 2001.
If you are interested in learning more about the architecture of Symphony Circle and Fargo Estate
neighborhood, don't miss the Preservation Coalition of Erie
County's tour on Saturday, September 29, 2001 at 9:30AM. Meet on Symphony Circle - the
2-hour tour is $8 or $6 for members. For more information call 885-3897.
Also, on Sunday September 23, 2001 the Allentown Association is sponsoring its annual
"Secrets of Allentown" interior tour of historic homes from 11AM to 5PM. Tickets are $15
pre-sale and day of event. The starting point is at the "Mansion," Delaware Ave. at Edward St.
For more information, contact the Allentown Association at 881-1024.
Symphony Circle Light Standard Restoration Formally Announced.
On June 26, 2001, Mayor Anthony Masiello was on Symphony Circle and joined by
representatives from the City, Olmsted Conservancy, the Symphony Circle Steering Committee
and Richmond Avenue Neighborhood Community Association to formally announce the
restoration of light standards and traffic islands at Symphony and Ferry Circles (Ferry at
Richmond). Debbie Trimble, Ann Angelo, Chris Brown, Neil Radice and Mayor Masiello each
spoke about Symphony Circle. The event was well attended and covered by the Buffalo News. It
is hoped that the restoration of the light standard will be complete by the fall, in time for closing
events of the Pan American centennial celebration with the theme of "The Light Returns." The
light standard was part of Frederick Law Olmsted's original 1874 design for Symphony Circle and
was installed in 1879 and removed in 1938. As Mayor Masiello said, the restoration of the light
standard will show the City's ongoing commitment to sustain the Kleinhans Community
Association neighborhood.
Private Funds Invested in First Block Plymouth Ave. Structures.
John Gulick is restoring and expanding by 900 sq. feet the 150+ year-old barn at 32 Plymouth
Ave. which was part of the original Sidway mansion fronting on Hudson Street. 49
Plymouth Ave. is also receiving significant repairs as it is readied to become a mission for a
Brooklyn based Christian church. 18 Plymouth Ave. has also received significant repairs
in the summer months.
New Trees Planted in KCA Neighborhood.
Thanks to our City forester Andy Rabb new trees were planted in early summer on the public
space outside of 324 Hudson St., 289 and 313 Pennsylvania St., 23 Plymouth Ave., Porter Ave.
outside of Kleinhans Music Hall parking lot, and 24 & 34 St. John's Pl. Unfortunately, this has
been one of the driest summers in recent history, so please give these young trees a drink to help
them make it through the summer.
Unsightly and Exposed Area Bus Stops to be Transformed into Architectural Wonders of Shelter
and Beauty.
Brad Wales, the UB Architecture Professor who has with his students installed art projects
throughout Allentown, will be working in our community to enhance the bus stops at
Plymouth/Pennsylvania and Plymouth/Porter. Funding for the project will come through grants
written by Ann Angelo to Erie County Legislator Judy Fisher's Special Projects Fund and Mayor
Masiello's Neighborhood Matching Fund. It is hoped that these improvements will improve both
the aesthetics and use for those who wait at these corners for the NFTA metro bus. Thanks to all
those who participated in going forward with this neighborhood improvement project.
KCA Awarded Grant to Restore Flower Planters.
The KCA has been awarded a 2001-2002 Neighborhood Matching Fund Grant for procurement
of replacement neighborhood flower planters. Thanks to Bill Lindner for obtaining pledges of
time from neighborhood residents and thanks to everyone in the neighborhood who volunteers
their time for the betterment of the community.
While we have had flower planters in the area for years, several have been stolen, lost or
destroyed and the grant will allow us to replace those planters. Everyone this year has been so
kind in planting and watering the remaining planters, it certainly helps to beautify the area and
proclaims a message of neighborhood caring. In a letter dated June 18, 2001, Mayor Anthony
Masiello commends our neighborhood and challenges us to "keep up the great work on behalf of
our City and the Kleinhans neighborhood."
Allentown Association Hot Dog Stand Fund Raising Effort A Great Success.
Cyndy Allen of Orton Place once again was successful in her fundraising efforts to support the
Allentown Association as Chair of the Allentown Art Festival Hot Dog Stand. Many residents
from the KCA neighborhood volunteered their time to support selling hot dogs at the Allentown
Art Festival on June 9-10, 2001. The proceeds will fund the Allentown Association's ongoing
mission to serve the Allentown community. Thanks to all residents who donated their time to this
important endeavor.
Buffalo Architectural Salvage Committee Working to Help Neighborhood Housing Restoration
Efforts.
A Committee of the Allentown Assoc. is working with the City to have the opportunity to save
housing parts from homes which are being demolished. There are hundreds of homes being
demolished in the City over the next few years and many of these homes have housing parts which
can be recycled into homes of similar construction. Over 12 structures have been salvaged so far
and will be made available for sale in Oct. Those who volunteer their time will be credited with
vouchers which can be used to procure items salvaged. If you are interested in participating in
this important project or would like to learn more, contact Chris Brown at 884-1914.
Proposed Deli Opening at 485 Porter Ave. At Normal St. Raises Controversy.
A Deli is trying to relocate in the former "Pizza Planet" at Porter and Normal. This is happening
at the same time that more neighborhood delicatessens would face City Hall scrutiny under a plan
that is being drafted by officials and will likely be sent to the Common Council in September, after
its summer recess. Niagara District Councilmember Hon. Bonifacio is against the opening of the
deli as are other neighborhood groups. At the last KCA block club meeting held in July, the
membership took a vote and decided that 485 Porter was an inappropriate location for a
deli/corner store business (or any business which sells controlled substances) because of its
proximity to Kleinhans Music Hall and Porter Avenue's position as an Olmsted Parkway System.
This topic will be discussed at the next block club meeting on 8/15/01. The deli opening will
require a zoning variance and as part of that process, the community will be heard in the change
of use permit process. The topic is scheduled to be addressed by Kevin Gallivan of the Zoning
Board of Appeals, 1802 City Hall on September 12, 2001.
Housing Problems Continue to be Neighborhood Thorn.
359 Hudson St. was purchased by a Texan investor at the 2000 tax auction, but the
boarded house sits empty and was recently inspected by the city... 364, 366 and 370
Hudson are 3 vacant, abandoned houses in a row and are being investigated by housing
inspections... 22 Orton burned in late spring fire and is now boarded and empty..
322 Pennsylvania St. has been boarded since the fall and will eventually be sold through
HUD... 294 Hudson St., the large apartment building at the foot of Cottage St., has been
removed from the City's demolition list, but its fate is unknown... 34 Plymouth Ave. was burned
in an early summer fire...
Carl Schade Recognized With 2001 Buffalo Landmark and Preservation Board Award for
Restoration Work at 38 Orton Place.
In early summer Carl Schade was given a special award for the spectacular restoration work done
at his home. The entire neighborhood can take pride in Carl's efforts which has brought such
acclaim to himself, his house and the neighborhood.
Residents Urged to Contact City Legislators to Fund Traffic Calming Initiative.
According to Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Ellicott District Councilmember Barbara
Miller-Williams and Niagara District Councilmember Nick Bonifacio have each committed
$50,000 to traffic calming and Sam Hoyt has committed $25,000. Joe Giambra, Commissioner of
Public Works, will not begin work until funding has been released. Please contact your
Councilmember and urge them to release funds for traffic calming. It will help to slow down
traffic and reduce injury and death due to pedestrian/auto accidents in our residential community.
Barbara Miller Williams can be reached at 851-4980 and Nick Bonifacio at 851-5125.