Wed. Jan. 16, 2002 7:00 PM
Mark your calendars and hope to see you there!
Special KCA meeting - Holiday Social Dec. 19, 2001
As a recap to last year's popular event, the Dec. KCA meeting will be a "pot luck" social.
Drinks, plates, cups, etc. will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. We will meet at
7PM at the First Presbyterian Church. This was a wonderful event last year and is a good time
to meet your neighbors and discuss neighborhood topics in a friendly, relaxed environment.
Architectural Bus Shelters Improve Neighborhood
Last summer some neighbors got together to discuss ways to improve the neighborhood. They
decided to call their endeavor the Plymouth Pennsylvania Revitalization Group and to survey the
residents for ideas to improve our area. Bus stops were high on the list of needs and as a result of
a conversation Ann Angelo had with architect Brad Wales, a very interesting partnership is
developing. Mr. Wales is an instructor in the UB School of Architecture and Planning. He along
with Kent Kleinman, Dept. Chairman, coordinated the recent Allentown art project with their
students and the city. Working with NFTA transportation planner, Kyle Nevergold, the goal is to
design and erect 2 or 3 bus shelters at Pennsylvania and Plymouth, Plymouth and Porter and
maybe for the #22 at the Music Hall. Ann wrote a neighborhood block grant to secure funds from
the Mayor's office and also from County legislator, Judy Fisher. A public presentation of this
project is planned for Thursday, October 25 at 7PM in the community room of First Presbyterian
Church (not the basement). Call Dan Greenway, 884-1374 for info.
City Master Plan Engenders Sustainability
"The Good Neighbors Planning Alliance" - your opportunity to influence the upcoming city
master plan - will have a third meeting on October 30th at 7PM in the West Side Neighborhood
Center on Vermont St. You haven't missed a thing if you didn't make past meetings as they are
still "getting organized." The Mayor is expected to name co-chairmen before the October
meeting, so perhaps a list of priorities and some action initiatives will be decided at that time.
Questions? You can call 851-5035 and speak to Jennifer DeRose, West Side Neighborhood
Development Specialist.
Fargo Estate Tour in Neighborhood A Success
Chris Brown led a tour of the Preservation Coalition in September through Symphony Circle and
our neighborhood. It was a huge success
and resident Donna Raczynski of Porter Ave. opened her home and let visitors tour her 1860s-era
home.
Symphony Circle Update
Work is continuing on the restoration and rehabilitation of Symphony Circle. Efforts to return the
ornate light standard which once graced both Symphony and Ferry Circles are within reach. The
cost of the two standards is being under-written by the newly established Rupp Foundation. They
are being recreated by Colgate Industries, a local firm with experience rehabilitating historic light
standards. The City of Buffalo has committed funding to recreate the center islands at both Ferry
and Symphony Circles. Architectural plans have been developed with considerable input from
community groups and the Olmstead Conservancy. These plans include a 20' inner island (to
designate the size of the original 1870's island), flower beds and walkways surround this inner
island in the 60' island. While initial hopes had been for a 2001 ground breaking, this date has
been pushed back to Spring 2002 in order to ensure uniformity of building materials as per the
original plan assembled by city engineers.
This spring also saw the replanting of the flower beds with perennial and annual species. The
groves of trees planted in the past few years have been maintained through the use of water bags
and mulching. This is a very exciting time for those of us witnessing the creation of a restored and
enhanced circle. If you would like to help with gardening tasks please contact Sue Byron at
882-3887 or Bill Lindner at 885-2947. A little "hands on" assistance goes a long way to keeping
our circle looking sharp!!
Congratulations and Welcome to New Residents and Homeowners!
Welcome to Dean Curtis, Doug and Amy who recently purchased and took residence at 43
Wadsworth... welcome to Joe who recently moved in at 34 Orton Place, upper...
At the annual city tax auction, congratulations to John and Cyndy Allen who purchased 22 Orton
Place... longtime area residents Ray
and Melissa Klein have purchased Joan Diana's home at 26 Orton Place... also at the city tax
aucton, 317 Jersey Street was purchased
by Joseph Lettieri and Michael Petron, 350 Hudson Street was purchased by Modesto Figuero
and 3 St. John's Place was purchased by Timothy Price.
1 Neighborhood Building Lost, 4 Others Endangered
A fire at the vacant building at 294 Hudson Street caused it to be demolished... 3 other buildings
in the KCA neighborhood are in danger:
322 Pennsylvania Street,
32 St. John's Place
and 359 Hudson Street are all on the city's active demolition list. 34 Plymouth Ave. is also
endangered because the house burned this past summer and while the owner is trying to repair it,
the city inspectors may call for its demolition.
294 Hudson Street burned in early Nov. 2001
KCA mentioned in the Nov./Dec. 2001 Buffalo Spree magazine
The current issue of Spree magazine mentions the KCA!
Buffalo Architectural Salvage Committee Sale scheduled for Nov. 24, 2001
For all homeowners who need houseparts to repair/restore your old house, come to the Buffalo
Architectural Salvage Committee sale scheduled for Nov. 24, 2001 at 10AM at 725 Main Street.
All sorts of everyday and unusual house parts will be available for you.
Proposed Deli Opening Thwarted by Area Residents.
A Deli trying to open at relocate at 485 Porter Ave. was thwarted, thanks to over 100 signatures
on a petition asking for it to not be opened. Councilmember Bonifacio sent a letter to the zoning
board of Appeals asking that the deli not be allowed to open. This is a great example of the
power
of pulling together for a common cause for neighborhood preservation.
New Ellicott District Councilmember Elected
Congratulations to Brian Davis, who won the Nov. election for the Ellicott district.
Councilmember Davis
previously worked as a legislative assistant to current Councilmember Barbara Miller-Williams.
We wish Mr. Davis well in his
new duties as Councilmember and hope that he represents the interest of our neighborhood well.
Fall is Here - the Rodents Move In!
This is the time of year that mouse/rodents will try to move into your house. Erie County
has many resources to help you with the war on rodents. To learn more, visit their
War on Rodents
web page.