A cleanup of the bus shelter on Plymouth Ave. at Pennsylvania Street
is planned for Sat. July 8, 2006 at 10 AM.

BUS SHELTER CLEANUP SCHEDULED FOR SAT. JULY 8, 2006
======================================================
WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006

WHERE: BUS SHELTER, PLYMOUTH AVE. AT PENNSYLVANIA STREET

WHEN: 10 AM

Please help to clean up the bus shelter! The plants have done so well there, they are now overgrown. If you can please spare an hour or so of your time, just a few people can make a big difference!

KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD HOSTS NEIGHBORHOOD SOCIAL EVENT
=============================================================
WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2006

WHERE: SYMPHONY CIRCLE

WHEN: 3 PM

Meet your neighbors in a friendly relaxed environment. The KCA will be providing hot dogs and hamburgers, plates, napkins and forks and knives. Please bring a dish to share with your neighbors and a lawn chair/portable chair. Please note, no alcohol is allowed. For more information or if you can help with setting up the event, please call Mary Ann at 883-0321.

ORTON GARDENS RECEIVES GRANTS, IMPROVEMENTS
CLEANUP SCHEDULED FOR JULY 22, 2006
=================================================
Orton Gardens, the community garden located at 20 Orton Place, received a grant of $300 from the GardenWalk for improvements. The KCA also received a donation of $50 for plants at the garden from Janet Morgan in memory of her family, Richard and William Caudell who were neighborhood residents and built many of the homes in the KCA neighborhood a century or more ago.

The funds have been used to purchase mulch for the garden, plants, an arch between two of the garden beds, a storage shed and other necessary items.

Orton Gardens will again be featured on the Annual GardenWalk, so there will be one more weeding event planned:

Date: Saturday, July 22, 2006

Time: 10AM

Place: Orton Gardens, 20 Orton Palce

What: Weeding, planting some annual plants, spreading mulch, trimming bushes.

GARDEN WALK SCHEDULED FOR JULY 29 & 30, 2006
==============================================
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. Many homeowners will open their yards and 44 Plymouth Avenue, the house newly renovated by Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc., will be open for the tour.

For more information, visit the official GardenWalk web site.

A historic walking tour that includes Symphony Circle and Kleinhans Music Hall
will be part of the 170th Anniversary of Plymouth Avenue Celebration

PLYMOUTH AVENUE HISTORIC EVENT PLANNED FOR AUGUST 19, 2006
============================================================
In order to celebrate all the wonderful improvements happening on Plymouth Avenue, on August 19, 2006 there will be several events taking place to celebrate.

Planned highlights include the following:

• Walking tour of neighborhood
• Slide show of Kleinhans Music Hall, Symphony Circle and more
• Various open houses and information about houses for sale/apartments for rent

KCA MEETS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS
TO SAVE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TOWER
===========================================
On June 26 2006, Holly Holdaway and Chris Brown from the Kleinhans Community Association met with architect Ted Lownie and members of the First Presbyterian Church, including pastor Gerri Lyons. The purpose of the meeting was to determine a strategy for saving the First Presbyterian Church's tower, which has deteriorated to the point where it is in danger of collapse. The tower has been temporarily shored up, but action must be taken soon to correct the condition.

The First Presbyterian Church has retained the services of Bero Architects of Rochester, NY to perform an "Existing Conditions Report." The report will identify the extent of the damage and what will be necessary to correct the problem, as well as identification of other major problems with the existing church building.

The report is expected to be completed in mid-July and a meeting will be held shortly thereafter to identify what will be required to raise the necessary funds to correct the problems. Participants at the meeting were optimistic that funds could be raised to fix the problems with the building.

The First Presbyterian Church is the area's oldest religious organization having its roots in the earliest village of Buffalo. The current Symphony Circle edifice was constructed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by local architects Green & Wicks. The 163-foot tower, modeled after the soaring cathedrals of France was finished in 1897. It is a true landmark, rising above the neighboring buildings that can be seen for miles around. The First Presbyterian Church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.

A recent article in the Buffalo News identified the First Presbyterian Church as one of the most beautiful buildings ever constructed in Buffalo.

You can post your thoughts on the efforts to save the First Presbyterian Church tower on the Buffalo Rising website .

SCHOOL 36 MEETING TO BE HELD IN JULY
======================================
The KCA, working in collaboration with the Days Park Block Club is seeking a meeting with Buffalo School Superintendent Williams regarding the fate of School 36 that faces Days Park and Hudson Street. Earlier this year, the Buffalo School Board voted to close the K-4 school that has been in operation since the 1860s either in 2006, 2007 or 2008. Residents are concerned about the fate of the school building once the school closes. The current building, built in 1957 is a fine example of modern architecture modeled after Eliel Saarinen's Crow Island Elementary School, Winnetka, Ill. (1939).

Several preservation experts think that the building can be successfully adapted for residential use. The current structure takes up about 1/2 of the north side of Days Park from the mid-point to Cottage Street.

A meeting has been scheduled with Superintendent Williams to review the plans for the school and to work collaboratively with the Buffalo school Board to find an acceptable re-use plan for the school.

WADSWORTH BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT MAKES PROGRESS
====================================================
The KCA has been participating in a collaborative effort to improve the appearance of Wadsworth Street from Symphony Circle to Allen Street. The partnership includes members of the First Presbyterian Church, KCA, Days Park Block Club, Allentown Association, the Allen Street Idea Center, Friends of the Night People, and Grace Manor Nursing Home.

A preliminary wish list of improvements to the street has been identified. Architect Daniel Culross has volunteered to create a poster board of improvements to the street to show how the improvements would positively impact the community.

A meeting was held with Dept. of City of Buffalo Public Works Commissioner Joe Giambra. A letter was then sent to Mayor Byron Brown requesting a meeting to detail the problem and the recommended solutions. It will be important to have the Mayor's support before going forward with any of the proposed improvements to Wadsworth Street.

COMMUNITY CLEANS UP GRAFFITI
================================
Graffiti has reared its ugly head, with vandalism occurring on private homes along Wadsworth Street as well as signs, and even some of the streets themselves (St. John's Place and Orton Place.)

However, thanks to dedicated residents and volunteers, most of the graffiti was removed promptly -- necessary to keep the vandalism at bay. Several residents have been out in force with 24 hours of the vandalism to remove graffiti from unpainted brick surfaces and to paint over wooden structures, metal surfaces or painted brick surfaces.

The KCA is working with the City of Buffalo to save
419 Porter Ave., a significant shingle-style circa 1890 home, from the wrecking ball.

419 PORTER AVENUE TASK FORCE TRIES TO SAVE ABANDONED HOUSE
==============================================================
A meeting was held with Niagara District Councilman Nick Bonifacio and concerned citizens from the Kleinhans Neighborhood regarding the fate of 419 Porter Avenue. The house, a circa 1890 mansion that was subdivided into many small apartments, suffered a fire a few years ago. Its owner, Herkimer Bird Corp. (Keith Pillich), was prosecuted for fraud, theft, shoplifting, housing court violations, health code violations, and contempt of court for ignoring one of Judge Nowak's orders to vacate. He's in jail now serving at least a few years for fraud and theft. Most of his properties are in receivership, and JER/MBBA, a NYS agency, holds the back tax liens to the property. A plan was agreed to at the meeting: long term, Councilman Bonifacio will work with JER/MBBA to have the liens released so the property can be put on the City's 2006 foreclosure tax auction held in October 2006. It is hoped that the house can attract a new owner who can renovate the property into a one or two unit building.

Short term, Michael Miano, a nearby resident on Jersey street has been volunteering his time cleaning up the property. Councilman Bonifacio is attempting to get city of Buffalo resources to seal the building until it can be sold and to deter vandalism.

While the fire was significant, most of the damage to the house did not come from the fire, but from the process of stopping the fire - broken windows, etc. The house is located in a beautiful section of Porter Avenue, part of the Olmsted Historic District, listed on the National Register.

Joyce DiChristina plants flowers in planters
installed at Plymouth/Pennsylvania intersection.

GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP SUCCESS FOR KCA NEIGHBORHOOD ON MAY 6, 2006
==========================================================================
Many KCA residents took part in an effort to clean up the area around Pennsylvania Street and Plymouth Avenue as part of the Great American Cleanup. The project complimented the Pennsylvania/Plymouth Four-Corner Beautification Project.

PENNSYLVANIA ST./PLYMOUTH AVE. FOUR CORNER
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT COMPLETED
===============================================
The Pennsylvania Street/Plymouth Avenue Four Corner Revitalization Project has been completed. Among the tasks completed were:

Planning/Communication

• Community planning sessions were held as part of the monthly KCA meeting at 42 Plymouth Avenue. An average of 15 people participated for two hours each month. Besides being the catalyst for an effective planning strategy, the process helped to strengthen community relationships and enhance communication.

Beautification Cleanups

• Monthly maintenance cleanups of Pennsylvania Street and Plymouth Avenue.
• Neighborhood volunteers spent about 10 hours per month cleaning up litter on the street and removing graffiti as it appeared.
• Three large cleanups accomplished: Spring 2005, Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 were performed on Plymouth Avenue, Pennsylvania Street and Hudson Street. The large cleanups involved about 20 volunteers working about 4 hours each.

The primary “hands-on” components of the project, as specified on the original grant application, were also completed:

Bus shelter improvements on Plymouth Avenue at Pennsylvania Street

• Gutter repaired and installed
• Grounds landscaped
• Gutter repaired
• Curb line pavers installed
• Flowering and ornamental plants planted
• Soil improvements made
• Paint applied where needed
• Power wash and glaze aggregate sidewalks
• General cleanup (wash glass, remove graffiti etc.)

Sign Posts

• Constructed and installed four artistic contextually appropriate street sign posts (replaced existing rusted, leaning posts and graffitied signs)
• Top soil placed around new posts
• Clover planted as groundcover

Flower Planters Placed on Street Corners

• Purchased, procured, holes drilled, installed
• Filled with top soil
• Planted with purple petunias and yellow marigolds
• Adopters identified who will care for the planters, water, etc.

Other/Documentation

• Improvements made to public utilities (i.e. repainted light standards, fire pole, fire hydrant, etc.)
• Graffiti removed from buildings
• Completion of Plymouth Ave. documentation, Historic Plymouth Avenue (copy available by request)/Oral History
• Posting of efforts in Community Builder, Spring 2006
• Documentation of efforts with photographs

The Pennsylvania/Plymouth Four Corner Revitalization Project has increased the safety features of each corner of the intersection and the first block of Plymouth Avenue and the block of Pennsylvania Street by making signs more prominent and visible.

The community is very thankful to the City of Buffalo Livable Communities Grant, because it has helped to make significant positive changes on the blighted first block of Plymouth Avenue between Hudson Street and Plymouth Avenue. The new investment that has taken place on the block is a true partnership between City of Buffalo government, a community development corporation (Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc.), private investment and community volunteers. A focused effort to reclaim the block has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

As can be seen by looking at the Plymouth Valiant! website, the partnership made up of the community as represented by the Kleinhans Community Association, the City of Buffalo and Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. has been extremely effective. It should be noted that the neighborhood changes made are not intended to displace residents, but rather to provide a safe, attractive and crime-free place for residents to live and raise their families.

You can post your thoughts on the changes made to the Pennsylvania/Plymouth intersection by going to the Bufalo Rising website.

CLAIRE ROSS TOURS HOMES IN KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD
=========================================================
Claire Ross, from the New York State Historic Preservation Office took a tour of Historic Plymouth Avenue from Hudson Street to Porter Avenue along with St. John's Place and Orton Place.

From her observations:

• Claire requested color photos of the structures on Plymouth Avenue for further review
• Claire liked the interesting architecture at 34 Plymouth Avenue
• Claire is concerned about mortar used at the former Plymouth Methodist Church
• Claire likes the renovations going on at 32 St. John's Place
• Claire thinks the houses on St. John's Place are stunning and a great example of a intact Victorian streetscape.

Several resident are trying to save 359 Hudson Street

LAST DITCH EFFORT TO SAVE 359 HUDSON STREET
=============================================
A meeting was held on May 24 with the city of Buffalo (Commissioner Rich Tobe, Councilman Brian Davis and the Real Estate Department) along with architect Brad Wales, the KCA and a potential purchaser. It is hoped that the vacant, abandoned Victorian house built in 1880 can be reborn as an owner occupied home.

If the house is demolished, several people have notified the city's real estate department that they would like to purchase the land.

KCA HELPS WITH WEST SIDE GNPA EXISTING CONDITIONS DOCUMENTATION
===================================================================
The KCA has been consulted to assist with the creation of the West Side Good Neighbors Planning Alliance Existing Conditions Report. The document will identify strength and weaknesses in Buffalo's west side including the Western Allenown neighborhood that includes the Kleinhans neighborhood.

51 Symphony Circle Front Elevation
Showing front porch to be restored to its 1883 original design.

51 SYMPHONY CIRCLE TO RECEIVE SUBSTANTIAL UPGRADES
=======================================================
Mary Pariser is extensively restoring the mansion built in 1883 at 51 Symphony Circle and designed by notable architect Frank Caulkins.

The new owner has retained architect John W. Wingfelder to assist with the process and one of the many improvements planned for the house is the re-creation of its original front porch.

WELCOME TO ALL NEW AREA HOMEOWNERS
========================================
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:

• 324 Pennsylvania St. - Jen & Jerrod
• 35 Plymouth Avenue - Cynthia Cruz
• 117 Plymouth Avenue - Scott Dunkle
• 22 Plymouth Avenue - Yisroel Krinsky
• 96 Porter Avenue - Eric J. Cornavaca

New trees were planted on Cottage Street, Pennsylvania Street
and Plymouth Ave., with more to come!

NEW TREES BEGIN TO BE PLANTED IN KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD
==============================================================
The KCA is working with Art Traver on the forestry improvement of the Kleinhans neighborhood. In June, 2006, the following trees were planted in the Kleinhans neighborhood:

• 96 Plymouth Ave., (184856)
• 136 Cottage Street, (195181)
• 142 Cottage Street, (195184)
• 144 Cottage Street, (195185)
• 307 Pennsylvania St., plant tree (184855)

The following changes will take place in later 2006, primarily removal of stumps followed by planting of new trees.

• 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)
• 100 Plymouth Ave., remove dead/dying Norwood maple tree (184667)
• 306 Hudson St., remove dead/dying Norwood maple tree (184668)
• 334 Pennsylvania St., remove dead tree (199451)
• 343 Pennsylvania St., remove dead tree (199451)

Reminder: if you have a newly planted tree in front of your home, it is very, very important to water the tree frequently!! If you need help with this, please contact the KCA at 884-1914.

On another note, a rare, beautiful and mature American Elm has been identified in the KCA neighborhood on Plymouth Avenue side of 306 Hudson Street by city of Buffalo forester Arthur V. Traver III, RLA, ASLA. Mr. Traver believes that there are about 250 remaining in Buffalo. The American Elm displays a classic elm form, and is perfect for many landscape designs, including elm-lined streets that were so common at one time in Buffalo. As an elm tree matures, it displays wide canopies to heights that afford clear views of the architectural details of buildings and deep shade for people to enjoy. A favorite of Frederick Law Olmsted, the American elm was included in his plans for Buffalo, the U.S. Capitol grounds, New York City's Central Park and other projects. Most of Buffalo's Elm trees have been lost to the ravages of disease.

NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURED IN CAMPAIGN FOR BUFFALO TOUR
SUN. SEPT. 10, 2006
=========================================================
On June 9, the KCA neighborhood was featured on the "Houses on the Green" tour sponsored by the Campaign for Buffalo. About 30 people toured the neighborhood along with nearby Arlington Park and Days Park. The tour will be repeated on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006 at 10AM. It's a great tour and is recommended. To learn more, visit the official Campaign for Buffalo tour website .

SEVERAL HOMES IN KCA NEIGHBORHOOD AVAILABLE FOR SALE
=====================================================

• 55 Plymouth Avenue - Single family cute Victorian house, built about 1875. Double lot, manageable size. About $35,000.
• 299 Pennsylvania St. - Historic single family home with carriage house - JUST ADDED TO CITY OF BUFFALO TAX FORECLOSURE SALE LIST IN OCTOBER, 2006
• 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.
• 318 Hudson Street - One, two or three unit, in Allentown. In receivership.
• 21 Plymouth Avenue - Great single family or double. About $30,000
• 44 Plymouth Avenue - Heart of the City Neighborhoods renovated house. 4 bedroom single.
• 18 St. John's Place - Five units on great street. About $90,000.
• 355-357 Pennsylvania Street - Fabulous two home combination designed by architect Peter Levin.

44 PLYMOUTH AVENUE RENOVATIONS COMPLETE
========================================
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.

294 HUDSON STREET PLANS COMPLETED
========================================
The long vacant site at 294 Hudson Street between West Avenue and Plymouth Avenue has had its plans completed and submitted to the City of Buffalo. Heart of the City Neighborhoods is currently working on obtaining funding. Photos and comments can be found on the Buffalo Rising website .

KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD ARCHITECTURE
FEATURED ON BUFFALO RISING WEBSITE
========================================
A wonderful article on the Kleinhans neighborhood architecture and a slide show can be seen on the Buffalo Rising website. If you haven't seen it, check it out !

BUFFALO BOY IS A NARRATIVE OF GROWING UP ON PLYMOUTH AVENUE
==================================================================