KLEINHANS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Neighborhood Perspective and Field Guide

Kleinhans Community Association is the block club that unites the neighborhood around Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, New York. The following are its boundaries: Plymouth Ave. from Hudson St. to Porter Ave. (11-154); Orton Pl.; St. John’s Pl.; Symphony Circle; Wadsworth St. from Hudson St. to Symphony Circle (33-45); Hudson St. from West Ave. to Wadsworth St. (277-394); Pennsylvania St. from West Ave. to Symphony Circle (285-375); Normal Ave. from Pennsylvania St. to Porter Ave. (1-52); Porter Ave. from Plymouth Ave. to Symphony Circle (443-530); and Jersey St. from West Ave. to Porter Ave. (281-341). Its mission is to facilitate communication among neighborhood residents and to advocate beautification, crime prevention, home ownership, historic preservation, and other quality of life issues. In addition, members of the Kleinhans Community Association (also known as KCA) work closely with various neighborhood agencies and governmental entities to achieve these goals.

Kleinhans Community Association takes its name from Kleinhans Music Hall, built between 1938 and 1940, but our neighborhood has existed for many years before Kleinhans was built. Its roots are steeped in Victorian-era Buffalo history. Most of the Kleinhans neighborhood was built between 1850-1895, during some of Buffalo’s most exciting architectural and historical decades.

KCA Neighbors at a summer cook out.

Unlike some of the recently constructed urban villages in Buffalo which have as their foundation newly built homes, the Kleinhans Community Association neighborhood has an ample stock of affordable, manageable, beautiful and historic housing nestled in a community that was designed with the pedestrian in mind. Most of the housing stock is detached frame or brick housing built on city-size lots about 30 feet in width.

While our neighborhood architecture and history is significant, our biggest community asset is the people who live here and its core group of dedicated residents. New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt called the KCA area a “diverse and energetic neighborhood.”

The best way to savor the flavor of this old Buffalo neighborhood is to walk its blocks. This guide has been organized in such a way as to facilitate a walk through the neighborhood, but this guide can also be enjoyed “virtually,” from the comfort of a parlor armchair.

Most of the blocks of streets within the KCA boundaries are marked by attractive pedestrian level street lighting reminiscent of gaslight fixtures. In addition, because ours is a mature neighborhood, the trees lining our streets are towering horse-chestnuts and maples that help to green and shade our homes. Over a dozen new trees were planted in the neighborhood in 2001 to ensure ongoing neighborhood forestation. Many of the blocks within the KCA boundaries also are marked by KCA welcome signs that were installed in 1997.

About half of the KCA neighborhood is in the Allentown Preservation District and is comprised of two Buffalo council districts, the Ellicott District and Niagara District.

* Kleinhans Music Hall is a National Historic Landmark, the highest distinction granted by the National Park Service for an historic structure.

Like many neighborhoods close to downtown, we have had our share of ups and downs. The neighborhood has been evolving for over 150 years and while there are issues such as crime reduction, housing reinvestment and traffic calming concerns that must be addressed, these issues should be viewed as obstacles to overcome instead of catalysts for neighborhood abandonment. Indeed, there are appealing qualities to the neighborhood that make it as attractive today as it was over 100 years ago. Here are ten top reasons why this is a great neighborhood:

1. Terrific, friendly neighbors.
2. Diverse, high quality affordable housing.
3. Close proximity to downtown and all major expressways, including the Peace Bridge - the major crossing from Buffalo to Canada.
4. Immediate proximity to Kleinhans Music Hall, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Theater of Youth, and close proximity to Western New York’s cultural hub, including Elmwood Village, Chippewa Entertainment District, Theater District, downtown, etc.
5. Pedestrian-friendly urban design which includes access to public transportation and important services such as: churches, grocers, dry cleaners, laundromats, schools (including elementary, high schools, and post-secondary D’Youville College) barber shops, clothing stores, drug stores and restaurants within walking distance.
6. A neighborhood which encourages walking and social interaction because of its immediate accessibility to several small parks including Symphony Circle, Days Park and Arlington Park.
7. Ability to have housing close to downtown with off-street parking and garages - try that in Boston, Chicago or New York.
8. Beautiful and historic architecture within our block club boundaries. Internationally famous designers have worked here including Frederick Law Olmsted and Eliel & Eero Saarinen. Less famous but substantially accomplished local architects such as Green and Wicks, Richard Waite, Cyrus Porter, Charles Percival and Charles Swan have all worked here as well.
9. Our neighborhood is culturally and economically diversified.
10. The KCA neighborhood is within walking distance to the Niagara River waterfront and recreational parks LaSalle and Front Park.

There are about 228 structures in the KCA block club boundaries, most of which are one, two or three unit buildings. Of the 228, 133 are owner-occupied, 48 are absentee-landlord owned, 27 are closely held rental properties (owned by neighborhood residents), 4 are institutions and 16 properties are vacant. There are also 2 developed vacant lots in the neighborhood and 3 undeveloped vacant lots.

When neighborhood residents were asked why they chose to live in the KCA neighborhood, they responded with these reasons: “Diversity, convenience, old houses, GREAT neighbors, most of whom have remained constant for the 20 years I've lived here... The KCA area is centrally located to most downtown events. Beautiful historical district. Great houses... I like the access to Kleinhans Music Hall, Elmwood Avenue and downtown... I like the location because of its convenience to everything. I also like the history and uniqueness of the architecture. It's a beautiful area... I purchased my home because it was located in the preservation area of Buffalo, its close proximity to Kleinhans Music Hall, the Allentown and downtown business districts, the sporting events (HSBC Arena and Dunn Tire baseball stadium) and waterfront, all of which are within easy walking or commuting distance (depending on the time of year). I have been pleasantly surprised by the close bond that my direct neighborhood has with each other - reminds me of living in the country... I love the architecture, people, city living, and artist community... The neighborhood is culturally diverse with many people from alternative lifestyles. People show they are supportive and work together to help each other and those less fortunate... I love the area - lots of homeowners who take pride in their properties, the KCA and their continuous efforts to keep the neighbors informed and promote this area in every which way possible. Neighbors that care coupled with the preservation of beautiful homes and buildings make this area of Buffalo unique and makes me proud of being a homeowner here.”

Paul Lachacz, owner of 36 Orton Place, writes: “Any plans to stop further deterioration of the KCA neighborhood is very important. There are pockets like Allentown where residents have decided to keep city living alive. I don’t believe that any of the housing developments in Amherst or Orchard Park will be considered preservation districts in 100 years. Even with all of the period revival items currently available, the new homes are not made by artisans. There is no character, no history, no ‘ghosts’ that create a mood like our area has. The Allentown district is an antique and most anyone would want it saved. That is our best hope.”

Our neighborhood and community association is not alone in its quest to increase the quality of life for all of our residents. The KCA neighborhood is surrounded by active block clubs: to the south is Days Park Block Club; to the west is Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association; to the east is Arlington Park/North Street Block Club and to the north is the Richmond Neighborhood Community Association.

The KCA has been going strong for nearly 15 years, with beautification and other proactive projects being at the organization’s very heart. As far back as the late 1980s, The Buffalo News featured a news article entitled “Cleanup Campaign Is Flowering”: “The brisk afternoon breeze did not hinder the several dozen families living around Kleinhans Music Hall as they turned over a new leaf or two this Memorial Day weekend.”

“Community mothers, fathers and children broke out the shovels, turned over the sod and spruced up the neighborhood with some of nature's beautiful signs of spring -- tulips.”

“But planting flowers was by no means the only extent of the neighborhood cleanup. All 300 household members involved in the annual project have organized to form the Kleinhans Community Association, whose primary interest is reviving the beauty of one of the city's most historically significant neighborhoods.”

“‘The flower business for us has become a really important focal point. We feel that this area is visited by hundreds and thousands of people through Kleinhans Music Hall, and we'd love come to a point some day where it's a showcase,’” said Ann M. Angelo, Kleinhans Community Association committee chairman and public relations director.

“‘We want our area to be unique, because we are in a unique situation," Ms. Angelo said. "We are the only community in the United States that has a major music hall and a major symphony orchestra next to a residential community. There is no other.’”

“She explained that the six-block area located directly behind Kleinhans Music Hall is a historical gold mine that has several dozen residential and public structures dating to the mid-1800s.”

“Historical structures like the Engine 2 firehouse, said to be the oldest operating fire station, still stands on the corner of Jersey and Plymouth streets with its original mansard roof. Right across the street is the Plymouth Methodist Church, built in the 1850s.”

“The church, with a large stained-glass window partially intact, was saved from total destruction by vandalism when the association took an interest in having it established as a historical landmark last year. Community members predict that the new owner will begin restoration efforts soon.”

“Community leaders such as Bill Lindner, head of the group's steering committee, decided that preserving these structures as well as re-establishing the historical appearance of the surrounding community was extremely important. Lindner said that stately historical structures like the firehouse and his home prompted him and association Beautification Director Josie Bodami to work with the city leaders to bring back the original look of the 1800s to the community.”

“He added that, since he had learned about the history of the area, he wanted to reinstitute some of the original lighting that lined the streets. Cooperation from Public Works Commissioner David Comerford made it possible.”

“‘These 25-foot cobra arch lights . . . don't match the architecture and integrity of the street,’ Lindner explained. ‘Ever since I'd become more aware of the historical content of the neighborhood, I would look down the street and I would see these beautiful homes and then see these ugly street lights which didn't match.’”

“‘I brought it up before the Kleinhans Community Association membership, and I said I would really like to work toward getting these taken down and get shorter, more accurate lights put in.’”

“He added that with the help of Council Member Joel Giambra and Mayor Griffin, Edgewater Luminare lights now line the both sides of Normal and Jersey streets.”

“Rose Pinto, who has been a home owner in the area for almost 45 years, said the area is probably the best that it has been in years.”

“‘I've seen the area go up and down . . . but now I think it's improved,’ she said. ‘Since we had our association, it has improved an awful lot. I know all of my neighbors, at least all in the association. We're like one big, happy family.’” -Esther Miller, May 28, 1989

With all the areas of strength surrounding the KCA boundaries, an ongoing project of our block club is to work continually to bring focus and attention to problematic blocks, known as our block club “target area.” The target area is bounded by the block of Plymouth Avenue between Hudson and Pennsylvania Streets and Pennsylvania Street between Plymouth and West Avenues. These blocks deserve attention because they have a higher occurrence of crime and absentee landlord owned properties. As concerned neighbors we need to creatively formulate ideas on an ongoing basis to reclaim these blocks. Our goal is to increase investment and strength in these areas as defined in the Kleinhans Community Association Target Area Plan, drafted in 1997.

The plan calls for infrastructural improvements along with a recommendation for increasing home ownership within the community. But enough of the plan for the moment. It’s time to come and explore the neighborhood...

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