Design for Victorian streetsigns to be installed
at Plymouth/Pennsylvania intersection.

PLYMOUTH/PENNSYLVANIA BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT TO BE SPRING 2006 KCA PRIORITY
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This spring, the KCA project priority will be to complete the beautification project at the corner of Pennsylvania Street and Plymouth Avenue. The following will be some of the specific tasks that will be accomplished:

• Scheduled litter cleanups of Plymouth Avenue and Pennsylvania Street
• Participation in May 6, 2006 Great American Cleanup
• Maintenance of bus shelter including graffiti removal, painting, gardening
• Purchase and installation of flower planters and flowers on corners
• In conjunction with Colgate Industries, installation of Victorian streetsigns on corners
• In conjunction with Colgate Industries and architect Brad Wales, installation of gutter on bus shelter

KCA NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH TRAINING PROVIDED
==============================================
Mary, a representative from the local Community Oriented Police Satellite (COPS) station provided Citizen Disaster Preparedness Training at the Feb. 2006 KCA meeting.

Mary will be back at the March 18th KCA meeting to present Neighborhood Watch Training. This training session is both informative and Mary is a great presenter. We hope that you will come!

GRAFFITI REMOVAL SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON SAT. MARCH 18, 2006
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The Black Rock Riverside Good Neighbors Planning Alliance is sponsoring a free Graffiti Removal Instructional Seminar to be held on Saturday March 18, 2006 starting at 12:30pm at 416 Amherst Street (corner of Germain).

Representatives from the City of Buffalo and District Attorneys office will speak on their roles in deterring graffiti. Graffiti removal expert John Barnes will provide instruction on the proper way to remove graffiti, what to do if you are a victim of this crime and measures you can take to help stop graffiti. If you would like to attend, or or have a question, please call 877-8400.

ALLENTOWN IDEA CENTER INSTRUMENTAL IN SPEARHEADING INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGN ON WADSWORTH STREET
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The Allentown Idea Center meets monthly and its first effort is to make Wadsworth Street more beautiful.

The group has already succeeded in getting a stop sign placed on Wadsworth Street on the corner of Hudson Street.

The group meets monthly to discuss a redevelopment plan for Wadsworth Street from Allen to Richmond (Symphony Circle). This area is a gateway to Allentown that is in need of improvement, the ideas generated will be given to Brad Wales’ UB Architecture studio for their upcoming studio work improving this street.

This area is in need of beautification, there are not flowers, trees, grass. Litter and garbage is a problem on the street. Some properties are in disrepair. Lighting is poor.

The next meeting will be March 22, 2006, 6pm, First Church dining room. All are welcome!

ANNUAL KCA HOLIDAY SOCIAL A HUGE SUCCESS
============================================
The annual KCA holiday social, held on Dec. 19, 2005 at the First Presbyterian Church, was a big success. About 40 people attended the event. Thanks to everyone who brought their delicious food to share, and a big thanks to Cyndy Allen and Joyce Berg of Orton Place who helped to coordinate the event - and thanks to the First Presbyterian Church for hosting the event.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TOWER REQUIRES EXTENSIVE REPAIRS
===============================================================
The First Presbyterian Church on Symphony Circle is both a west side landmark and the first religious organization in Buffalo. Its 163-foot high tower is visible for several miles away from Symphony Circle. It was recently discovered that the tower, completed in 1897, needs extensive repairs. Water has infiltrated the structure and weakened it. The engineering firm of Siracuse Engineers and the architectural firm of Hamilton, Houston & Lownie have been hired to stabilize the structure and determine a course of corrective action. Several thick metal bands have been tied around the tower to stabilize it from further erosion. Although the cost of the repairs have not been fully defined, it is believed that it will cost many thousands of dollars to repair the tower. The KCA has offered to work with the First Presbyterian Church to help with grant writing and other efforts to secure funding to repair and preserve the tower.

The First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1812 and located on where the Main Place Tower is today. Construction began on the Symphony Circle church building in 1889 and it was completed and dedicated in 1891. The building was designed by the Buffalo-based architectural firm Green & Wicks. The chief architect, E. B. Green, designed the building in a Richardsonian-Romanesque style and the tower that gives the building its special character was inspired by the State Psychiatric Hospital on Forest Avenue designed by H. H. Richardson himself. The First Presbyterian Church is located in the Allentown Historic Preservation District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

KCA RESIDENT INTERVIEWED BY PRESERVATION LEAGUE OF NEW YORK STATE FOR "7 TO SAVE" PROGRAM
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Joyce DiChristina, of 49 Orton Place, was interviewed on March 2nd by the Preservation League of New York State to learn first hand the challenges of being a homeowner who lives in an historic home.

In Buffalo, the historic districts of Allentown, Hamlin Park and West Village have been named on a list of New York state's most endangered places by the New York State Preservation League. The Buffalo neighborhoods were put on the League's annual "Seven to Save"list because they - like most historic districts statewide - are confronted with issues of abandonment, demolition and erosion of architectural integrity.

The Preservation League is lobbying for a NYS Historic Home Rehabilitation Tax Credit legislation to be passed that is before the New York State Legislature.

If the legislation is passed, it is believed that it will encourage reinvestment and home ownership in Allentown because it will provide a financial incentive to taxpayers who rehabilitate their historic homes.

The proposed legislation would benefit homeowners in low and moderate-income neighborhoods, and is an expansion of a narrower version contained in Gov. George E. Pataki's proposed 2006-07 budget. In Western New York, 3,300 properties would be eligible for the tax credit.

Twenty-one other states currently provide some form of tax credit assistance for homeowners who want to rehabilitate historic residential structures.

For more information, visit the Preservation League of New York State's Seven to Save website.

Kleinhans Music Hall is the hub of the Kleinhans neighborhood.

KCA PRESIDENT VOTED TO KLEINHANS MUSIC HALL, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Chris Brown, president of the KCA, was voted to be on the board of the Kleinhans Music Hall, Inc. Board of Directors. The organization, a non-for-profit, is responsible for the management of the hall and is a separate organization from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. This is an exciting time that will allow for increased communication and a stronger music hall, stronger neighborhood and ultimately, a healthier orchestra. The organization was founded initially in the mid-1930s to build Kleinhans Music Hall with funds provided by the estate of Edward L. and Mary Seaton Kleinhans and a WPA grant provided by the federal government. The hall was a gift to the citizens of Buffalo and while designed to be a multi-use space, was intended to be the perpetual home to one of the regions great artistic and cultural assets, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. The building itself has acquired its own fame. Designed by international architects Eliel and Eero Saarinen in conjunction with Franklyn and William Kidd, the building achieved instant fame with its bold, innovative design and near-perfect acoustics. The building is a national historic landmark. For the last several years, the KCA has been giving cultural tourism architectural tours of building's interior, exterior and surrounding landscape, the restored F. L. Olmsted and C. Vaux-designed Symphony Circle. Be sure to check out Kleinhans Music Hall's new official website.

DAYS PARK/HUDSON ST. SCHOOL 36 SCHEDULED TO CLOSE IN 2007 OR 2008
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The Buffalo School District voted to close School 36 located on Days Park at the conclusion of the the 2007 or 2008 school year. It is uncertain at this time what will become of the building, a modernist structure built in the mid 1950s. The closing will have a significant impact on the community. In addition to being a school for neighborhood children, it is also a voting place for many people in the neighborhood. In addition, there is a playground and large parking lot on Hudson Street at the foot of Orton Place that is associated with the school. The KCA would like to partner with the Allentown Association to work with the City of Buffalo to put a plan in place for the re-use of the building and grounds once the school is closed. It is a significant parcel of land facing Days Park and Hudson Street in one of the loveliest sections of Allentown that if properly redeveloped, could be the site of fine housing. School 36 has been at the corner of Days Park and Cottage Street since the late 1860s.

CARLOS BENITEZ HONORED AT BPO IN DECEMBER
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KCA Vice President and Jersey Street resident Carlos Benitez returned from Iraq just in time to make his triumphant return to Kleinhans' stage! Marvin Hamlisch, right, and Carlos hold up a flag that Carlos dedicated to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Dec. 16, 2005. The flag was flown in Iraq on Sept. 11, 2005. Last year, the BPO dedicated the Christmas performance to Carlos. This photo was taken during the BPO's holiday pops concert by Sharon Cantillon.

PLYMOUTH AVENUE HISTORIC EVENT PLANNED FOR AUGUST 2006
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In order to celebrate all the wonderful improvements happening on Plymouth Avenue, August 19, 2006 is a tentative date that has been selected. Planned highlights include the following:

• Presentations on history and architecture of neighborhood
• Tours of some historic homes and sites
• Tours of housing renovations or in progress

PLYMOUTH AVENUE COMMUNITY STORYBOOK/HISTORIC DOCUMENTATION RECEIVES $500 GRANT
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The KCA has completed its documentation of Historic Plymouth Avenue from Hudson Street to Porter Avenue. Every structure on the street, past residents and notable historic events have been captured. The KCA has received a grant of $500 from State Incentive Community Action to defray costs producing the document. If you are interested in receiving a copy, please contact Chris Brown at 884-1914.

WELCOME TO ALL NEW AREA HOMEOWNERS
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Several properties have changed hands in the last several months and the KCA extends a warm welcome to the newest homeowners in our Kleinhans community:

• 20 Plymouth Avenue - Joe Dallos
• 112 Plymouth Avenue - Christopher M. Pacyga
• 506 Porter Avenue - Carl Radetich
• 363 Hudson Street - Darrell Huckabone
• 369 Hudson Street - Darrell Huckabone
• 43 Wadsworth Street - Russ Higgins
• 142 Cottage Street - Joe Delaney
• 144 Cottage Street - Joe Delaney

The KCA will welcome GardenWalk attendees at the KCA Info Booth
outside of the Coda Restaurant at 350 Pennsylvania Street.

GARDEN WALK SCHEDULED FOR JULY 29 & 30, 2006
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The Kleinhans community is already making plans for its biggest annual event, its participation in the Buffalo Annual GardenWalk. This year, it will be held on Sat. & Sun. July 29 & 30. Besides many homeowners opening their yards, the community garden at Orton Place will be on the tour. The KCA info table will once again be staffed at the corner of Normal Avenue and Pennsylvania Street, next to the Coda Restaurant. Coda owner Roo Buckley has offered the use of his restrooms for GardenWalk patrons. The KCA will once again sponsor free water for GardenWalk tour goers. The KCA will also sell GardenWalk T-shirts. For more information, visit the official GardenWalk web site.

The KCA identified trees at these locations that need to be planted
to maintain healthy forestation levels in the neighborhood.

KLEINHANS COMMUNITY WORKS TO MANAGE FORESTRY NEEDS IN NEIGHBORHOOD
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In an ongoing effort to manage the neighborhood's public trees, the KCA recently met with Art Traver, City of Buffalo Urban Forest Manager. The City of Buffalo retained Wendel Duchscherer as their Forestry Services Engineers. They are coordinating the removal and replacement of trees for various reasons, view blocking, safety, infections, etc. The firm is getting resources to get trees taken care of in 2006. The KCA opened task incidents with the city of Buffalo for the following properties

• 15 Plymouth Ave., remove stump (183483) and plant tree (184850)
• 17 Plymouth Ave., remove stump (183487) and plant tree (184851)
• 55 Plymouth Ave., remove stump (183489) and plant tree (184852)
• 95 Plymouth Ave., remove stump (183490) and plant tree (184853)
• 346 Pennsylvania St., remove stump (183491) and plant tree (184854)
• 493 Porter Ave., remove stump ONLY (183527) (no new tree)
• 307 Pennsylvania St., plant tree (184855)
• 96 Plymouth Ave., plant tree (184856)
• 100 Plymouth Ave., remove dead/dying Norwood maple tree (184667)
• 306 Hudson St., remove dead/dying Norwood maple tree (184668)

SEVERAL HOMES IN KCA NEIGHBORHOOD AVAILABLE FOR SALE
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• 324 Pennsylvania Street - 2 family, wooden Victorian, built circa 1880 with driveway and front and rear porch. Great block of mostly owner-occupied homes. About $30,000.
• 47 Normal Avenue - Single family, wooden Victorian, built circa 1880; all original, beautiful staircase, 4 bedrooms, next to Kleinhans Music Hall. Ideal renovation opportunity. About $38,000.
• 55 Plymouth Avenue - Single family cute Victorian house, built about 1875. Double lot, manageable size. About $35,000.
• 17 St. John’s Place - Big, beautiful mid-1880s Victorian Queen Anne - $199,900.
• 299 Pennsylvania St. - Historic single family home with carriage house
• 496 Porter Ave. - 2 unit, $119,900
• 359 Hudson St. - Single family house or double - under $5,000.
• 282 Jersey St. - Three unit, brick massive Victorian, corner building. About $75,000. Call Brian 884-4437.

COMMUNITY WORKS WITH CITY TO REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS
=================================================================
Members of the KCA reported two issues over the past few months that were promptly fixed by the City of Buffalo. They were:

• Street light outage at 77 Plymouth (at Penn.) Reported and fixed (183156)
• Damaged stop sign replaced on Cottage at Hudson St.

44 PLYMOUTH AVENUE RENOVATION BEGINS
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After several years of anxious awaiting, Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. has begun its renovation of 44 Plymouth Avenue! The historic 1853 Thomas Bath home will be renovated to be a wonderful single family dwelling. It is planned to be resold to a family by the summer time. The Kleinhans community is thrilled that the house is being restored and that a new family will move on the street. The house was very close to being lost, but thanks to the support of the HCN board of directors and the City of Buffalo, the project is going forward.

HISTORIC FIREHOUSE SOLD
========================
The historic firehouse at 310 Jersey Street has been recently sold. The KCA is working to meet with the new owners, who appear to be out of town investors from Miami.

The Allen-West Art Festival will be held on Allen Street and Wadsworth Street in 2006.

ALLEN WEST FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON JUNE 10-11, 2006
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The Allen West festival, an adjunct to the Allentown Art Festival will again be held on Allen Street from Elmwood Avenue to Wadsworth Street and a portion of Wadsworth Street. The festival, that features local artists, craftsmen and food vendors, will bring many visitors to the KCA area. The festival benefits the Allentown Association, Inc. If you are interested in being a vendor or volunteering, please contact the Allentown Association at 881-1024 or visit the Allen West Festival Web Site.

Orton Gardens, the community garden at 20 Orton Place.

CHANGES AT ORTON GARDENS
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Roo Buckley, owner of the Coda Restaurant, will be adopting a garden bed at the community garden at 20 Orton Place and will grow vegetables and herbs for use in the restaurant...

Lorissa Smutiuk has donated a composter to Orton Gardens... THANK YOU LORISSA!

KCA SETS PRIORITIES FOR 2006
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The KCA has set as priorities for 2006 the following planned accomplishments:

• Completion of Plymouth/Pennsylvania Beautification Project
• Continued focus on Plymouth Valiant! Block Reclamation Project, including marketing of 23 & 44 Plymouth Ave.
• August Event for Historic Plymouth Avenue and publication of Plymouth Ave. Documentation
• Planting of trees in neighborhood where needed
• Creation of KCA neighborhood directory
• Participation in GardenWalk with as many neighborhood residents as possible
• Historic tours of Kleinhans Music Hall and KCA neighborhood