Author: Preservation Buffalo Niagara

Summer Weatherization Tips: Part Two

“Central air and heating requires lots of ductwork and large installations that ruin the integrity of historic homes”

“It’s impossible to properly heat and cool drafty old homes using central air systems.”

“Between maintenance, installation, and inefficiency, heating and cooling a historic home with central air will never be worth the expense.”

You have probably heard people tell you variations on these three common myths about historic homes. These myths are not spawned from thin air; folks share these sentiments because of negative experiences they have had, and these myths are also spread in miseducation campaigns by some sectors of homebuilders and renovators as a tactic to sell replacement products.

In this short essay by Carson Bear of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, he works with NTHP partner company Unico to rebuff these three common myths about heating and cooling historic homes- your home can be retrofitted with modern HVAC technology to keep you and your family comfortable all year round.

Read more by clicking here.

What’s Happening

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June 4th, 2019

Willert Park Courts announced as One of the
11 Most Endangered Historic Places in the United States

Last week, Willert Park Courts, a site PBN has been dedicated to saving for ten years, was named one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. PBN held a a press conference on May 31st. This has brought Willert Park Courts both national and local recognition as it has been mentioned in USA Today, CNN, Buffalo Rising, and WBFO. For more information please visit our website. If you would like to help then sign this petition or ask a friend to join us.

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Hard Hat Tour: Chandler Street


Want to get an exclusive look at exciting adaptive reuse projects? Then join us for a Hard Hat Tour of Chandler Street. Once home to factories for companies including Linde Air Products and Jewett Refrigerator, Chandler Street is quickly growing recently becoming the home of Thin Man Brewery, BlackBird Cider Works, and other rehabilitation projects. On June 20th, join PBN as we tour some of the unfinished sites with Signature Development. You can find more info or register here. 

E.B. Green Tour de Force

It’s time to get your brakes checked so you can cycle with PBN through the streets of Buffalo to discover the indelible mark of E.B. Green on June 22nd. See both iconic and lesser known buildings designed by the man who produced over 200 buildings in Buffalo. This special bike tour is open to riders of all levels and includes 10-12 miles of moderately paced biking. Don’t forget to register and always wear your helmet. 

This Place Matters: Willert Park Courts

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Buffalo Niagara are coming together to announce that Willert Park Courts has been named one of the United States 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Although Preservation Buffalo Niagara has been fighting to save Willert Park Courts from demolition for ten years, this national recognition is a notable notch on the timeline of this fight.

To learn more about Willert Park Courts, watch the video below.

How can you help?
Sign this.
Join us.

National Main Street Center to do market analysis of Elmwood Village

 

This morning Preservation Buffalo Niagara & the Elmwood Village Association announced the kick off of a market analysis and commercial district planning process to be conducted by the National Main Street Center through its UrbanMain program.The plan will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the Elmwood commercial district’s assets and build a framework for moving forward.

Joining us at the press conference today were Assembly member Sean M. Ryan and Buffalo Common Council Member David A. Rivera, who provided funding for the study, as well as State Senator Chris Jacobs and Common Council Member Joel Feroleto.

Recently, the Preservation Green Lab did an analysis of Buffalo and found that areas of older, smaller, more character-rich building stock, including the Elmwood Village, have 72% greater population density than the City as a whole, and nearly 70% more women and minority-owned businesses than the City as a whole.  Thanks to this strength and diversity, Elmwood Avenue has received many accolades and honors over the years, and this has led to an increase in interest from investors in the area.  While that attention can be positive, in some instances, it can threaten the very qualities that have led to the community’s success.  In the last twenty four months, fifteen contributing buildings on the National Register have been lost, and there are plans and proposals to potentially remove a dozen more.  The challenge for the Elmwood Village at this point in its development is how to allow the community to evolve and strengthen its core shopping district, without losing the very things that have made it the popular, vibrant place that is has traditionally been.

PBN is thrilled to be able to support the community at this time by bringing in the National Main Street Center, and its UrbanMain program, which will bring national expertise to bear on the distinct opportunities and challenges of the Elmwood Village by utilizing a set of community-driven economic development tools and services aimed at encouraging sustainable growth while preserving local history and culture.

Over the next two months, consultants from the National Main Street Center will collect and analyze market analysis data, survey community members, and meet with stakeholders. The Elmwood Village Association and Preservation Buffalo Niagara will jointly host a community-wide meeting in early October.  Work will continue through the fall and winter, with final recommendations expected in January.  Final recommendations will be shared with the community in another public forum.

To learn more click here to read the full press release