SoSS Update: A Local Historic District!
PBN has submitted the Brewers Hill Historic District for local historic designation as part of the Save Our Sacred Sites initiative! This nomination was inspired by the closing of the St. Jude Center, now listed for sale by the Catholic Diocese. You can find the application data here.
Advocacy need: We will alert you when the public hearing is scheduled. If you’d like to submit a letter of support, email it to info@pbnsaves.org and we will print it and provide it to the City of Buffalo.
Located just north of downtown Buffalo near the medical campus, the Brewers Hill district features eight historic buildings on Washington and Ellicott Streets. These structures, dating back to the mid-19th century, are the last remnants of a once-thriving residential neighborhood. The proposed district showcases a variety of architectural styles, including Italianate, Second Empire, and Queen Anne.
Key Highlights:
- Historic Significance: The district’s development began in the 1830s, driven by German immigrants and other settlers.
- Architectural Gems: The eight contributing buildings, including the St. Jude Center, are rare examples of late 19th-century residential architecture.
- Preservation Efforts: Early preservationist Austin Fox played a crucial role in saving these buildings in the 1980s.
- National Recognition: In 2016, these buildings were deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. This is a huge lift and one that does not come lightly. This helps strengthen our application.
The adaptive reuse of these buildings to serve the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus underscores their continued relevance and utility. Designating Brewers Hill as a historic district will ensure these significant structures are preserved while honoring the legacy of the community that once thrived here.
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Brewers Hill Local Historic District
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Exciting news! We are finally at the crucial public hearing for the Save Our Sacred Sites (SoSS) Local Landmarks. This is our moment to make our voices heard! I have attached the agenda for the meeting to this email for your viewing. We are agenda numbers 35 – 39.
These are the Churches up for Public Hearing:
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- St. John Kanty
- St. Stanislaus
- St. Rose of Lima
- St. Thomas Aquinas
When: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM
Where: Council Chambers, 13th Floor, Buffalo City Hall
Please prepare your powerful verbal statements in support of your church: what it means to you, what ties you have, any story you wish to share. Please keep it concise because these will likely be timed. Every voice matters! You can also send letters of support directly to your council person, their email addresses can be found here: https://www.buffalony.gov/directory.aspx?did=65
Your support is vital to the landmarking of our churches! If you can, join us in person and bring your congregation, family, and community members. Please share this information with anyone who would like to attend. Let’s pack the house and show our united front!
Together, we can ensure that our sacred spaces are recognized and protected. Thank you for your passion and commitment to this important cause! If you want to support the effort, please donate here: https://secure.everyaction.com/4ISqfVnTXEO649kaXpEzOQ2
Many thanks,
Emily Jarnot
Preservation Planner & Niagara Falls Liaison
The Give716 Campaign is next week on July 15th & July 16th!
We’re excited to share that Preservation Buffalo Niagara is participating in the 2024 Give 716, a fantastic Giving Day event starting on July 15 at 7:16 PM EDT and ending on July 16 at 11:59 PM EDT.
How it works: You donate to PBN and depending on what time it is and how much, there is a match and / or really cool incentives you can get for donating. We also linked the incentives in the images below.
Important Donation Page Link: USE THIS TO DONATE! (Thanks!!)
https://give716.org/share/give716/68/charities/preservation-buffalo-niagara
Prize Example: You or someone you love is a Josh Allen Fan? The first one hundred people who donate $716.00 at 8 pm on July 15th can get a signed jersey by one Buffalo Bills player! Perhaps you do not need a Bills Jersey but there are plenty of other prizes – Bandits memorabilia, Bisons tickets, SHOP 716 Gift cards and more. See the incentive line up for details.
Our Ask: This is a huge opportunity for Preservation Buffalo Niagara! Our goal is to raise $10,000 – that would help us seed our next critical project of starting local small scale real estate development series in Niagara Falls and Buffalo. This initiative-taking effort is critical because local owners lack the support, resources, and ecosystem around them for success. If we want to see more buildings brought back to life, this initiative is necessary.
Thank you everyone who continues to support PBN! We could not do this without you. For more info on the Give716 Campaign, click here.
Happy 716!
Today, July 12th, marked a significant milestone in the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood as Community Services for Every1 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Apartments at the Lyceum. This event, attended by Mayor Byron Brown, Common Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski, and State Senator Sean Ryan, celebrated the successful adaptive reuse of a historic building into 42 affordable workforce apartments. Among these, 12 units are specifically designated for survivors of domestic violence, 5 are fully ADA accessible, and 2 are for those with audio/visual impairments.
In 2023, a substantial investment of $18 million by Edgemere Development and Community Services for Every1 transformed the Lyceum into a pillar of hope and support for our community. This project not only preserves the architectural heritage of the historic 1930 building but also addresses critical housing needs.
However, the future of the St. John Kanty R.C. Church complex remains uncertain. The Buffalo Catholic Diocese has announced plans to close the church and merge its congregation with St. Stanislaus Church. The convent, a part of this historic complex, was listed for sale in May at $295,000.
Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining. Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) is actively working to secure local landmark status for St. John Kanty and numerous other churches throughout the city. The Preservation Board will hold a public hearing on the landmark application on September 5th. Following this, they will send a recommendation for landmark status to the Common Council.
This effort underscores the importance of preserving our historic treasures and ensuring they continue to serve as vital parts of our community. By supporting these initiatives, we can honor our past while building a better Buffalo.
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