6TH DISTRICT ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR MARIA WHYTE
TO ATTEND NOVEMBER KCA MEETING
=================================================
All members of the Kleinhans community are invited to attend the Nov. KCA meeting:

DATE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2006

PLACE: 42 PLYMOUTH AVENUE (HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS, INC.)

TIME: 6:00 PM

Maria R. Whyte - Majority Leader will attend the meeting to learn more about what is happening in the community and to hear from her constituents.

Please come to this meeting to show community support!

KCA ANNUAL HOLIDAY SOCIAL TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 15, 2006
====================================================================
Our neighborhood holiday tradition, the KCA holiday social, will be a "pot luck" affair. Soft drinks (as always, no alcohol, please), plates, cups, etc. will be provided. Please bring your favorite dish to share. The event will take place from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church (in the "Blue Room"), One Symphony Circle. This is a wonderful event and is a good opportunity to meet your neighbors and discuss neighborhood common interests in a friendly, relaxed environment. The KCA will also bring pizza to the event. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you!

The First Presbyterian Church is a local landmark and will join forces
with the Central Presbyterian Church

CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO MERGE WITH FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
=========================================================================
The Central Presbyterian congregation voted to join First Presbyterian Church on Symphony Circle for worship and ministry.

The consolidation plan needs approval from the Presbytery of Western New York and the state Supreme Court, which oversees nonprofit corporate entities.

The Central Presbyterian Church will sell its Main Street campus of five buildings, including a 900-seat sanctuary. The property is on the market again after Savarino Construction Services Corp. recently backed out of a $1.37 million purchase offer.

The two churches also hope to keep their current pastors, Phelps of Central Presbyterian and the Rev. Geri Lyon of First Presbyterian. Assets of Central Presbyterian and First Presbyterian will be combined.

The First Presbyterian Church is the oldest religious organization in Buffalo. Its Symphony Circle church edifice is a local landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Church officials have been exploring options to preserve its soaring 163-foot tower, currently requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars in restoration costs.

WADSWORTH STREET PARKING LOT PURCHASED BY PRIVATE OWNER
==========================================================
Wes Brown, owner of Days Park Commons apartment building, has purchased the fomerly city-owned parking lot on Wadsworth Street between Hudson Street and Days Park. Wes is planning improvements to the lot including secured parking. Although it will no longer be a public resource, residents of the neighborhood can lease a secure parking spot by calling Wes at 883-4223.

LIVABLE COMMUNITY AND SICA GRANTS, GRASSROOTS
GARDENS WILL HELP TO IMPROVE PLYMOUTH AVE.
=================================================
The KCA received two grants that will help to beautify Plymouth Avenue.

The KCA received a grant to assist with the beautification of the corner of Plymouth Avenue and Hudson Street. The corner will be improved and a "Welcome to Allentown" sign will be erected.

With financial assistance from SICA, On the block of Plymouth Avenue between Hudson Street and Pennsylvania Street, 5 new flower planters are planned to be installed on the planting strip between the curb and the sidewalk in front of the following sites:

• 49 Plymouth Ave.
• 44 Plymouth Ave.
• 35 Plymouth Ave.
• 33 Plymouth Ave.
• 23 Plymouth Ave.

A "Welcome to Allentown" sign is planned for installation on the corner
of Plymouth Avenue and Hudson Street in Spring 2007.

STAR TAX EXEMPTION DEADLINE ENDS DECEMBER 1.
=================================================
You may be eligible for a NYS STAR tax exemption. There are some guidelines, but the benefits are significant. In order to be eligible for basic STAR, the following must be met:

• All homeowners qualify
• Primary residence only
• Must make application

KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BENEFIT FROM
NEW NYS HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT
=================================================
In August, Governor George E. Pataki signed New York State’s first-ever tax incentives for rehabilitation of historic commercial and residential structures many of which in the Kleinhans area qualify. The legislation takes effect on January 1, 2007.

Under this legislation, State and National Register-listed owner-occupied residential structures are eligible for a New York State Income Tax credit covering 20% of rehabilitation costs, up to a credit value of $25,000.

The bill also includes incentives for historic commercial properties. National Register-listed or eligible commercial properties that qualify for the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit would qualify for an additional New York State credit, covering 30% of the federal credit value in such projects, up to a value of $100,000.

Many of the houses on Pennsylvania Street, Hudson Street, Syphony Circle, Wadsworth Street, St. John's Place and Orton Place would qualify for this tax credit. For more information about the tax credit program, visit the Preservation League of NYS website.

The KCA is currently working with the NY State Historic Preservation Office to identify properties on Historic Plymouth Avenue that may be eligible for listing on the National Register. If you are interested in learning more, please email Chris Brown or call (716) 884-1914.

ORTON GARDENS IMPROVED WITH GRANTS IN 2006;
POSSIBLE RE-DESIGN IN 2007
=================================================
Orton Gardens, the community garden located at 20 Orton Place, again looked great this year with the help of volunteers and donors. Grassroots Gardens donated geraniums and other plants that were planted in the garden. A grant, written by the KCA, helped to secure $300 in funds from the Buffalo GardenWalk that were used to purchase a storage shed for hoses and other supplies, an elegant arch that serves as the foundation for climbing rose plants and additional mulch used to create walking paths in the garden. Janet Morgan donated $50 that were used to purchase additional perennial plants for the garden.

Orton Gardens facilitator, Chris Brown, met with John Allen, who owns the house next door at 22 Orton Place. A tour and walk-through of the garden resulted in a proposal for a possible re-design of the gardens that could occur as early as 2007. The new design will be easier to maintain and focus resources on the front portion of the garden that helps to beautify Orton Place. The garden, created on the site of a demolished house, is narrow but very long. The redesign will result in a more beautiful facade, less maintenance and will help to sustain the adjoining properties. More information on this proposal will unfold as the design is completed and evaluated by the KCA.

The 2006 Kleinhans neighborhood GardenWalk map
The neighborhood was well represented!
Several of the gardens are featured in a new GardenWalk book and DVD.

GARDENWALK IS BIG SUCCESS FOR KCA AREA;
KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURED IN NEW COFFEE TABLE BOOK
===============================================================
The Kleinhans neighborhood was again a big participant in the annual GardenWalk held during the last weekend of July. Many residents from Orton Place, St. John's Place, Pennsylvania Street and Plymouth Avenue participated.

A new beautiful full-color book and DVD featuring many of the gardens on the GardenWalk has been released. Many of the gardens and homes in the Kleinhans neighborhood are featured in the book. This book is highly recommended to anyone who appreciates beautiful photography of Buffalo's homes and gardens or the Kleinhans neighborhood. It will also make a fine gift for out of town friends and relatives. To learn more about the book, visit the GardenWalk book website.

KCA SUMMER PARTY WAS A BIG SUCCESS
======================================
For the first time ever, the KCA hosted a summertime cookout on the grounds of Symphony Circle outside of Kleinhans Music Hall. The event was held on Saturday, July 15, 2006 and was a big success. Many people assisted in the planning of the event and neighbors were able to meet one another. Mary Anne Cassidy of 375 Hudson Street, John & Cyndy Allen, of 28 Orton Place, Joyce Berg, of 44 Orton Place, Isabel Hartenberg & Tim Wilkinson of 33 St. John's Place and were instrumental in making sure the event was successful.

Dozens of visitors came to see the exciting renaissance taking place on Plymouth Avenue
such as this Heart of the City-sponsored renovation at 23 Plymouth Avenue
during the celebration of the stret's 170th anniversary.

CELEBRATION OF HISTORIC PLYMOUTH AVENUE'S
170TH ANNIVERSARY DRAWS DOZENS OF VISITORS!
=================================================
On Saturday, August 19, 2006, the community celebrated the 170th year of the founding of Plymouth Avenue, at the time called "Upper Twelfth Street." The event was promoted in the Buffalo News, West Side Times and ARTVOICE. Over 100 people participated in the festivities that included:

• A walking tour of Plymouth Avenue and Symphony Circle
• A slide show and lecture on Historic Plymouth Avenue held at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum Porter Hall
• Publication of the book Historic Plymouth Avenue
• Interior house tours of 42, 44 and 39 Plymouth Avenue
• A concert held at the First Presbyterian Church
• A reception party hosted at the home of Lynn Vallone of 99 Plymouth Avenue.

KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURED IN TWO HISTORIC WALKING TOURS
====================================================================
Two walking tours of the neighborhood to benefit the Campaign for Greater Buffalo took place. The tour was called "Houses on the Green" and included the Kleinhans neighborhood, along with Arlington Park and Days Park, described as Buffalo’s hidden jewels, quiet oases surrounding central greens. The western section of the Allentown Historic District has more nooks and crannies than an English muffin, partly because the old Black Rock and Buffalo grids bump up against each other here, but also because one-way traffic makes side streets inaccessible from Allen Street to those in cars. This makes for a stroller’s paradise. The tour was led along charming streets, all resplendent with lovingly restored and maintained houses (plus a few charmers awaiting a romantic savior). The tours were held on Fri. 6/9 and Sun. 9/10.

For more information about the Campaign for Greater Buffalo, see their website.

KLEINHANS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATES IN
GOOD NEIGHBORS PLANNING ALLIANCE WEST SIDE EXISTING CONDITIONS SURVEY
=========================================================================
The Kleinhans Community Association has prepared a draft document on the existing conditions for the West Side Good Neighbors Planning Alliance, the area that includes the Kleinhans neighborhood. A brief presentation of the document and slide show was made to community stakeholders.

KLEINHANS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION EXPLORES POSSIBILITY OF
"FRIENDS OF KLEINHANS MUSIC HALL" ORGANIZATION
===========================================================
The Kleinhans Community Association is exploring the possibility of creating a Friends of Kleinhans Music Hall organization. The purpose of the organization would be to raise funds for the ongoing care and maintenance of Kleinhans Music Hall, home to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and a National Historic Landmark.

INITIAL PLANNING ON SCHOOL 36 RE-USE BEGINS
=================================================
During the summer and autumn, members of the Days Park and Kleinhans communities met with Buffalo School superintendent Dr. Williams.

He confirmed that School 36, that has a substantial footprint on Days Park, Cottage Street and Hudson Street, would close in June of 2007 and be returned to the City of Buffalo for re-use in July or August 2007.

He clearly stated that he wanted this building off his books and out of his budget. There will be no suspension of use.

Meanwhile, Days Park Block Club has spoken to a potential developer, Savarino Construction and architect, Charles Gordon, an Irving Place resident. Mr. Gordon has completed some preliminary drawings. He made a presentation to about fifteen Days Park residents along with Eva Hassett from Savarino Construction. Most of the feed back was positive.

A similar presentation will be made to KCA residents in November or December.

Hundreds of people toured 315 Hudson Stret
in the KCA neighborhood during the annual Secrets of Allentown event.

SECRETS OF ALLENTOWN INCLUDES KCA AREA PROPERTIES
=====================================================
The annual Secrets of Allentown interior tour of historic homes held on Saturday, September 16, 2006 was a big success. It drew over 1,300 attendees to the tour. The starting point was on Symphony Circle at the newly restored Birge Mansion.

Also on the tour was 315 Hudson Street, a "work in progress." Every year Secrets of Allentown tour of historic homes features one “work in progress” home and this year, the Allentown Association, the organization that sponsors the tour, was pleased that the owners of 315 Hudson Street opened their property to showcase the renaissance of home renovations occurring on Hudson Street over the last several years.

The homes along Hudson Street between Plymouth Avenue and Wadsworth Street are part of the Allentown Historic Preservation District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hudson Street was once part of the Village of Black Rock until annexed by Buffalo when it became a city in 1832. It was originally called “Delaware Street” as part of Black Rock’s streets named for the first states of the Union, but since Buffalo already had Delaware Avenue, the street was renamed Hudson Street at that time.

315 Hudson Street was built in 1890 in the Shingle Style of architecture. With its shingles and large turret, it looks as though it might be as comfortable on the seaside beach as it does on an urban street. The first floor is made of brick with sandstone trim and the second story is covered with wooden cedar shingles. The home was built by Alan H. G. Hardwicke, owner of an establishment called Hardwicke & Ware, manufacturers of hardware supplies and brass goods at 294 Washington Street.

The current owners of 315 Hudson Street, Gabe Price & Lauren Kostek, purchased the house earlier in 2006 after completing a restoration of the stately turreted Queen Anne style home across the street at 314 Hudson Street.

The new owners cleaned up the property, clearing trees from around the property and have recently installed a new roof and shingle siding on the dormer that pierces the roof. They have also replaced all the cedar shingles on the back of the house so that it looks as the home originally did. They are currently renovating the property to be two apartments and are restoring the home’s maple floors. The renovations on the second story are complete and the owners are currently working on renovating the first floor.

With the renovation of 315 Hudson Street as well as their home across the street at 314 Hudson Street, Lauren and Gabe join the ranks of generations of Allentown pioneers who reclaim its streets one house at a time. As many longtime Allentowners will attest, even the most beautiful of Allentown streets today went through a similar reclamation process in years past.

AMAZING RESTORATION OF 32 ST. JOHN'S PLACE CONTINUES
==========================================================
The wonderful restoration of 32 St. John's Place has made tremendous strides over the past summer. Ted & Sherill Flemming have continued their quality restoration of the home. It was recently featured in a Buffalo Rising blog that received wonderful feedback.

To see the Buffalo Rising blog on 32 St. John's Place, click here.

To see the original KCA website and history on 32 St. John's Place, click here.

419 PORTER AVENUE MAY BE IN DANGER OF DEMOLITION
=================================================
The fire-damaged and abandoned house at 419 Porter Avenue was recently purchased by the owner of the apartment building next door at 425 Porter Avenue. The KCA is working to find out the intentions of the new owner, but it is believed that the new owenr is eyeing the house at 419 Porter Avenue for a parking lot for the apartment building next door.

Buffalo Rising recently unveiled a blog about the property. If you are interested in reading more about reaction to the potential demolition click here.

In the meantime, the KCA is attempting to determine exactly what the new owner is planning to do with the house.

Susan Persico has begun her renovation of 315 Pennsylvania Street

on the corner of Plymouth Avenue by painting it in "San Francisco" Victorian colors.

SIGNIFICANT HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS TAKE PLACE IN KCA NEIGHBORHOOD
=========================================================================
The summer and autumn of 2006 witnessed many improvements and changes to housing within the KCA neighborhood. Below are some of the significant changes to the neighborhood:

• 288 Hudson Street was “struck” to the city in the October 2006 In-Rem Sale. The city now owns it and its future is uncertain. The large shingle-style home was built as the home for Mathias Hens, owner of Hens & Kelly Department Store.
  
  
• 299 Pennsylvania Street was purchased at the city tax auction in October 2006 by two women from California. Jennifer & Tonya are very excited about purchasing the property and restoring the historic home. For more information about the home's history, click here.
  
  
• 324 Pennylvania Street was purchased in 2006 by Jen & Jerrod, who have done a wonderful job starting the renovation of the National Register-listed historic property. Jen & Jerrod have even built their own website, documenting their progress on the house restoration. To see photos and progress of the renovation, click here.
  
  
• 363, 366 & 369 Hudson Street Were all purchased by Darryl Huckabone, an attorney who has taken an interest in the renovation of properties on Hudson Street. All three of the properties are being restored by Darryl.
  
  
• 49 Normal Avenue The long-vacant Victorian beauty at 49 Normal Avenue was purchased during the summer of 2006 by Gary & Michelle of Porter Avenue who have begun the process of restoring the home. They have started by putting on a new roof and will be doing interior work soon.
  
  
• 117 Plymouth Avenue Scott Dunkle, who in 2006 has purchased the vacant home at 117 Plymouth Avenue at a city of Buffalo tax auction, has begun to renovate the home and will be renovating the home for two high-quality apartments.
  
  
• 3 St. John's Place Holly & Daniel have recently received permits and permission from the Buffalo Preservation Board to begin the renovation of 3 St. John's Place, a brick Queen Anne beauty built in the late 1880s and designed by notable Victorian architect H. H. Little. They look forward to renovating the property and hope to move in soon!
  
  
• 55 Plymouth Avenue The cute home at 55 Plymouth Avenue that was part of the original Victorian "Wickser Compound" and later home to an Italian opera star was purchased in 2006 by Rich, a recent graduate of UB's architecture school is familiar with all the exciting projects in the area thanks to Brad Wales, a professor of architecture who has worked on a number of built works in the KCA area and Allentown, including the bus shelters on Plymouth Avenue at Pennsylvania Street and Porter Avenue.
  
  
• 295 Pennsylvania Street The stately brick Victorian manse at 295 Pennsylvania Street recently sold for $94,000; a record on the block of Pennsylvania Street between West and Plymouth Avenues.
  
  
• 44 Plymouth Avenue The circa 1850 plank-constructed woodframe house at 44 Plymouth Avenue that narrowly escaped demolition was renovated by Heart of the City Neighborhoods. An innovative interior plan, attractive front porch and wonderful location prompted the house to sell quickly and thus transform another abandoned old house into an owner-occupied asset.
  
  
• 23 Plymouth Avenue Renovation of 23 Plymouth Avenue, the long-abandoned property has begun, sponsored by Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. When complete, the property will be marketed to an owner-occupant.
  
  
• 315 Pennsylvania Street The long-awaited purchase by Susan Persico of the former "Freddie's" deli on the corner of Pennsylvania Street at Plymouth Avenue took place in 2006. The first thing that Susan did was to repaint the house in one of Susan's signature "San Francisco" Victorian color schemes. The house is now a plum color with golden rod, electric blue and fusca accents.
  
  
• 485 Porter Avenue Artist Bruce Adams and his wife Renee have purchased the "Porter Center" building on the corner of Porter Avenue at Normal Avenue. Bruce and Renee plan to enhance the appearance of the building short term and plan on using the building as Bruce's art studio in the future.
  
  
• 293 Hudson Street The KCA is working with Erie County and Bill Crooker to steer 293 Hudson Street in the right direction. Mr. Frank Crooker, the owner, died a few years ago. He lived in the house for over 60 years. The house needs a lot of work, but we working to transfer the property to a caring owner who will work to restore the property.

  ---

  KCA NEIGHBORHOOD RECOVERING FROM OCT. 12TH "SURPRISE" STORM.
  =================================================
  The KCA neighborhood, like most of the region, was deeply impacted by the Oct. snow storm. Most of the area lost power for several days. Trees have been trimmed and the KCA is working with the city forester to determine how to save trees and re-forest the neighborhood.
  
  The KCA contacted the Mayor's Call & Resolution Center regarding a streetlamp that was damaged by the storm. The original complaint # was 214626 and was opened right after the storm.

  ---