Advocacy Snapshot

Scajaquada Downgrade/Route 198

After DOT’s Public Information Meeting on August 8th, PBN submitted formal comments again asking DOT to reconsider the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s vision for the Scajaquada Boulevard and to reformulate plans to prioritize the park user’s experience. While there were some improvements in the presented “Final Plan”, we do not feel that enough has been done to provide safe access to park users, bolster connections to cultural institutions, and to preserve and restore one of the most significant cultural landscapes in NYS. All public comment received will be used in preparing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) which is expected to be sent to the Federal Highway Administration in October.

Wildroot

On September 18th we joined Buffalo’s Young Preservationists and the Preservation League of NYS for a Wildroot Visioning Block Party. It was a great opportunity to hear from the community on what they envision for this historic structure. We will continue to keep our members and supporters updated on next steps.

Northland Corridor

The Northland Corridor project is an ambitious proposal by the City of Buffalo to rehabilitate the fifty acre former factory complex located near the Northland section of Buffalo’s Beltline. Preservation efforts were recently dealt a blow with the City’s decision to demolish the majority of 537 East Delavan, the former Houdaille Manufactuing Plant. However, consultation with PBN, the project sponsors, neighborhood stakeholders, and the State Historic Preservation Office, have resulted in the decision to maintain the elegant administrative office located along Delavan Avenue, along with the smoke stack and the Eastern Plant Area. PBN is also working with the City to save more than currently proposed of 777 Northland Avenue, the former Otis Elevator Foundry and Curtiss-Wright Metal Processing Division. While original plans called for demolishing the entirety of the building, subsequent meetings have found the City more willing to save additional fabric. We will continue to work to save this important part of our manufacturing heritage for future use.

Fruit Belt Cultural Resource Survey

Supported by a Preserve NY grant from the Preservation League of New York State, the first-ever full scale survey of historic resources in Buffalo’s Fruit Belt is currently underway. Project consultant Preservation Studios is currently taking oral histories from long-time residents, and conducting a building inventory. Results of the survey along with recommendations for next steps should be available this winter.

Broadway-Fillmore Survey

Another survey supported by a Preserve New York grant from the Preservation League of NYS, the Broadway-Fillmore Survey is nearing completion. Project consultant Preservation Studios recently presented preliminary results from their Cultural Resource Survey of the area to PBN and the other members of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Historic East Side Neighborhood Initiative (HESNI). The next step will be a public presentation in early December about the survey findings and recommendations of how we can protect and steward the neighborhood’s remaining cultural heritage.

DeVeaux Brick Barn

PBN continues to partner with the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society, Inc. to advocate for the preservation of the 1863 DeVeaux Brick Barn, as well as the other three remaining historic buildings on the grounds of the DeVeaux Woods State Park. Currently the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has engaged a consultant to complete an Historic Structures Report of the barn to assess the condition and priorities moving forward. The other remaining structures formerly part of the DeVeaux School Complex are subject to a current Niagara River recreation and real estate development RFP. We look forward to hearing the results of the Report and RFP process and working with NYSOPRHP to find a new, permanent use for these historic buildings.

Terminal A

Constructed 1930-1931, the former Ford Motor Company Plant located on Fuhrmann Boulevard was designed by notable industrial-use architect, Albert Kahn. PBN is continuing to work with our partners at the Our Outer Harbor Coalition to ensure that this significant building is incorporated into the State’s ongoing plans for Outer Harbor.