Community Mourns Loss of Sue Byron. The Kleinhans neighborhood mourns the loss of neighborhood activist Sue Byron. Sue was very active in many areas of volunteerism, but was a tireless advocate of the neighborhood. While being extremely intelligent she was not only a great planner and visionary, but she was a hands-on woman too. Sue was instrumental in the ongoing care of Symphony Circle and was a great gardener. She was on the board of Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo in addition to the Symphony Circle Steering Committee. She was also the Secretary of the Kleinhans Community Association for many years. She represented the neighborhood by being on the board of directors of the Heart of the City Neighborhoods. Her home on Pennsylvania Street was an example of her beliefs in restoration and gardening and her work was an inspiration to many. She shared her home openly, hosting meetings there and would open up her gardens every year on the Annual Garden Walk. Although her contributions can be measured by the work she did in the community, Sue was also an outgoing woman loved by many. She had an infectious laugh and a keen wit. Although Sue may have been advanced in age in physical years, she was truly young at heart. She will be sadly missed by all. Sue was a priceless treasure and the community's condolences go out to her family.

Meeting Schedule. The KCA will will meet on the 2^nd Tuesday evening of each month, 6:00PM , at the First Presbyterian Church, One Symphony Circle. The next few KCA meetings are:

• Tue. Jan. 14, 2003 6:00 PM
• Tue. Feb. 11, 2003 6:00 PM
• Tue. Mar. 11, 2003 6:00 PM

  Mark your calendars and hope to see you there!

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  Special KCA meeting - Holiday Social Dec. 17, 2002
  Our neighborhood holiday tradition, the Dec. KCA holiday meeting, will be a "pot luck" social. Drinks, plates, cups, etc. will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. We will meet at 6:00 PM 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.

  
  Symphony Circle dedication ceremony, Nov. 1, 2002
  From left: Joy Testa Cinquino (Olmsted Conservancy), David Granville (City of Buffalo) and Sam Hoyt (NY State Assembly)

  Symphony Circle Light Standard Restored. Completion of a decade long project was heralded on November 1, 2002 when Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello, along with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Richmond Neighborhood Community Association and Symphony Circle Steering Committee unveiled the newly installed center lighting located in the two newly restored Olmsted Circles along Richmond Avenue.
  
  "Many people have waited a long time for this day and I am very proud to be a part of it," said Mayor Masiello standing in the historically - restored Olmsted-designed West Ferry Circle at Richmond Avenue. "Had it not been for the true dedication and tireless effort of community members, this beautiful circle would not be here today."
  
  The Olmsted Circles on Richmond Ave., (also known as roundabouts,) were part of Buffalo's original 1868 parkway design and built in the 1870s. They were designed as a way to bring an ornamental green space complemented with a 16-foot high lamp standard into an urban area and to guide travelers along the route of Olmsted's parkway as it twists and turns through the heart of Buffalo. Both the Ferry and Symphony Circle center islands and ornate light fixtures were obliterated in preparation for a proposal to extend Richmond Avenue easterly to the waterfront, negatively impacting existing neighborhoods. While the Richmond Avenue extension plan never took place, the Olmsted Parkway circles on Richmond at West Ferry and Symphony Circle were removed in 1938. The "Corridor of Light" ceremony is the culmination of many years of volunteer research into what the roadway looked like over a hundred years ago when first designed by America's greatest landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.
  
  Deborah Ann Trimble, executive director of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy said, "The re-creation of the center islands and their center lights, will reunite neighborhoods, and enhance an already beautiful and vibrant section of Buffalo. Hats off to the volunteers from the Richmond Neighborhood Community Association and the Symphony Circle Steering Committee for making this a reality and restoring these center islands to their original form."
  
  Funding for the ornate center light in both islands came through the Rupp Family Foundation. William R. Rupp said, "The Rupp Family Foundation supported this unique revitalization project for two reasons. It is historically significant because it builds upon the important legacy of Buffalo's great city planners from past generations, and it will add to the quality of life for city residents and visitors alike."
  
  Colgate Industries in South Buffalo was commissioned to manufacture the ornate lights. The work was done completely in Buffalo. Each light weighs 6,500 pounds and is an exact replica of the original Symphony Circle light, based on the historic research and old photographs discovered by volunteers from the Symphony and Richmond neighborhood groups.
  
  The Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Act, a federal grant paid for a majority of the roadway work. Additional monies were secured by the City of Buffalo through the offices of Council Member Dominic Bonifacio and Council Member Marc Coppola. Buffalo can claim ownership to dozens of historically significant structures and landscapes, including these restoration projects which are expected to lure tourists and, in turn help support the local economy. Additionally, by producing the lights in Buffalo, we boost the local economy.
  
  Pat Caldiero, from the Richmond Neighborhood Community Association, pointed to the white ribbons gracing the trees on Richmond Avenue and said, "Just another reason to take pride in our neighborhood, our community and our city. We hope people come down and take a look at the Corridor of Light along Richmond Avenue as we are truly a neighborhood working together for the betterment of the community."
  
  After the ceremony at West Ferry, participants took a trolley down Richmond Avenue to Symphony Circle for a similar unveiling presentation.
  
  Ann Angelo, facilitator, Symphony Circle Steering Committee said, "This is truly a dream come true. Over a decade ago, a small group of people began talking about rebuilding the circle. It was just a vision for us. Who would have thought at that time we would see this beautiful result from a public private partnership effort? It is encouraging to think about future restoration and beautification projects for the rest of Buffalo's Olmsted system."
  
  In closing, the Mayor acknowledged the work of Buffalo's many department who contributed to this project including public works and streets.
  
  In total, Buffalo's historic Olmsted Park and Parkway system boasts seven circles, Colonial, Gates, Soldiers, Ferry, Symphony, McClellan and McKinley. The eighth, Agassiz Circle was modified and removed when the Scajaquada Expressway was built. Like their counterparts on the West Side, six years ago a motivated group of concerned citizens in South Buffalo took the initiative and pushed for the beautification of their neighborhoods with the restoration of McClellan and McKinley Circles. That work is now complete and the circles sparkle with new center luminaries, Red Jacket Parkway also features new benches and lighting.
  
  The KCA funded a reception at The First Presbyterian Church and it was well attended. Thank you to all neighborhood residents who helped with the reception and thank you to the First Presbyterian Church for opening their doors to the community!!
  
  Symphony Circle Light Standard facts:

  • The Ornate Center Lights were completely produced in-house by Colgate Industries of South Buffalo
  • The design of the Lights is an exact replica of the center light installed in Symphony Circle in 1870
  • The design was produced after reviewing historic records and old photographs
  • An exact size clay carving of the Light was created as a the second step in the production process
  • The carvings were used to produce a mold, which was then filled with fiberglass. The entire production process took four months. Twenty people (all local Buffalo workers) spent 2000 labor hours producing the lights
  • Each Light weighs 6,500 pounds
  • The Lights are 95% carbon steel (by weight) & 5% fiberglass
  • The Lights are a silvered bronze - or metallic bronze in color
  • Each Light has five luminaries; the bulbs are 175-watt metal halide
  • The bulbs sit in a frosted- look globe that is inside a clear polycarbonate (plastic) lens
  • The luminaries are 4 feet tall
  • The Light stand is 18 feet high
  • The span of arms is 6 feet across
  • The Lights will run on 110 volts of electric power
  • The daily lighting process takes 8-10 minutes, based on photo eyes measuring the darkness

  
  Symphony Circle ribbon cutting, Nov. 1, 2002
  From left: Councilmember Marc Coppola, Mayor Anthony Masiello, Councilmember Nick Bonifacio

  KCA Asked to Participate in Historic Initiatives. In early November, the KCA was asked to participate in a regional Olmsted conference by leading a tour of regional delegates of the Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy. People attended the conference from the eastern region.
  
  Ann Angelo led a bus tour and Chris Brown led a walking tour of the Kleinhans neighborhood.
  
  On November 19, 2002, the KCA was asked to speak at the Days Park block club to disclose information on researching local Buffalo homes and architecture. A small presentation was prepared and shared with residents of the Days Park block club so that they too can research and document the important historical legacy of our neighborhoods.

  Progress is made on Plymouth Ave. Reclamation Project. Progress is being made on the project to reclaim Plymouth Avenue.
  
  At 294 Hudson Street, the KCA is trying to interest the Hope VI project to build a house on the site. In November, 2001 a large abandoned brick building was demolished after a fire occurred there on Halloween. Recently construction has begun on a Hope VI project nearby on West Ave. near Hudson Street.
  
  Negotiations continue at the property at 15 Plymouth Avenue which will be offered for sale by HCN/West Side NHS. For more information, see KCA Target Area Collaboration page.
  
  Also, 42 Plymouth Avenue is being offered for sale. A 2-unit apartment building, the house is an 1860s era structure and historic as well has having some significant upgrades. The property is being offered for sale for a reasonable sum. If you are interested, contact Chris Brown at 884-1914.
  
  
  The neighborhood hopes to reclaim houses like 42 Plymouth, shown here on the left which is available for sale for a reasonable amount.

  KCA Works to Clean Up Graffiti from Neighborhood. On October 12, 2002, Carlos Benitez and other residents helped to clean up graffiti. Carlos helped to recruit young neighborhood youths to assist in the cleanup project. The KCA received a mini-grant from SICA to assist with the clean-up process.
  
  
  Carlos Benitez supervises youths who cleaned up graffiti in the KCA neighborhood in early October, 2002.

  A Colorful Bloom for Orton Gardens in Spring 2003. In the fall of 2002, more daffodil bulbs were planted in Orton Gardens, donated by Keep WNY Beautiful. In addition, Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo donated red, white and blue hyacinth bulbs which were planted by neighborhood residents on Columbus day, October 14, 2002. Look for a color, patriotic bloom in 2003!
  
  
  Neighborhood residents planted red, white and blue hyacinth bulbs donated by Grassroots Gardens which should make for a spectacular spring 2003 display!

  KCA Proactively Fights Crime Activity. Ann Angelo circulated a neighborhood petition against people who have loud car alarms and allow them to go off without monitoring them. Over 30 people signed the petition.