Isn't it amazing what can happen when a public park is built by the community in an at-risk neighborhood? Following are two examples of the changes that can occur - interestingly enough, both of these community projects were built at corners, and both were built at sites that, until recently, were occupied by structures.
It can be a scary scenario when a corner lot opens in a residential neighborhood. Often times the lot sits vacant and collects garbage, thus attracting other bad elements to the spot. Vacant corners are also susceptible to parking lots, which can be major eyesores if not landscaped properly.
Corner parks like the one we see in the lead photo (corner of West and York at Porter) can generate a feel good quality that transcends the neighborhood (see back story). This corner was always lacking in the cosmetic department. There was always a disconnect that divided the different blocks, rather than helping to bring them together. This is an important corner due to the various intersecting streets - the garden is visible from Morning Glory Cafe, D'Youville College and the Porter Avenue Pied à Terre.
Just as the Porter Avenue public garden is producing results, this past weekend's 24-Hour Mural-athon event in the Grant-Amherst community has also worked wonders (see back story). The project has brought people together in a way that is rarely witnessed. Both young and old worked around the clock (even throughout the night) painting a mural that is highly visible from the busy intersection.
The mural also acts as a connector to two different commercial districts that have been working hard to rebrand their images. This project was a collaboration between the businesses and the residents. Longstanding businesses like Niemiec Builders Supply donated time and materials to get the job done, while the art community rallied with the help of 464 Gallery and friends. Some of the most energetic volunteers were the young kids who had never even picked up a paintbrush - it's not often that so much is gained by painting a mural.
It is the collaboration of people that made both of these projects such great successes. We have witnessed so many of these collaborative efforts recently that we almost expect to see them in places that are in need. What used to be a rarity is now almost commonplace. These efforts are contagious and lead to stronger communities that in turn create more ideas and community initiatives.
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It can be a scary scenario when a corner lot opens in a residential neighborhood. Often times the lot sits vacant and collects garbage, thus attracting other bad elements to the spot. Vacant corners are also susceptible to parking lots, which can be major eyesores if not landscaped properly.
Corner parks like the one we see in the lead photo (corner of West and York at Porter) can generate a feel good quality that transcends the neighborhood (see back story). This corner was always lacking in the cosmetic department. There was always a disconnect that divided the different blocks, rather than helping to bring them together. This is an important corner due to the various intersecting streets - the garden is visible from Morning Glory Cafe, D'Youville College and the Porter Avenue Pied à Terre.
Just as the Porter Avenue public garden is producing results, this past weekend's 24-Hour Mural-athon event in the Grant-Amherst community has also worked wonders (see back story). The project has brought people together in a way that is rarely witnessed. Both young and old worked around the clock (even throughout the night) painting a mural that is highly visible from the busy intersection.
The mural also acts as a connector to two different commercial districts that have been working hard to rebrand their images. This project was a collaboration between the businesses and the residents. Longstanding businesses like Niemiec Builders Supply donated time and materials to get the job done, while the art community rallied with the help of 464 Gallery and friends. Some of the most energetic volunteers were the young kids who had never even picked up a paintbrush - it's not often that so much is gained by painting a mural.
It is the collaboration of people that made both of these projects such great successes. We have witnessed so many of these collaborative efforts recently that we almost expect to see them in places that are in need. What used to be a rarity is now almost commonplace. These efforts are contagious and lead to stronger communities that in turn create more ideas and community initiatives.
Oh god do I hate when people put murals on buildings. Its like advertising for a ghetto.
As far as pocket parks on corner lots...well...in my book its stupid and counter productive.
Granted corner lots are a hard sell for residential because they have no yards and no garages for parking
However, lets inject a little reality of homes within the city of Buffalo.
Buffalo has a terrible reputation for snow plowing, street cleaning, alternate parking, parking tickets and depending on the neighborhood vandalism of cars parked in the street.
Any one of these is a deterent for a property owner or a renter.
A better use of these corner lots would be a row of 4-6 single bay garages that could be rented out for off street parking.
Even better would be a row of 4-6 single bay garages with an upstairs apartment which could also be rented out.
Ask anyone who lives in the city and the one thing they want is access to off street parking.
Off street parking will raise the property values and stabilize a neighborhood much more than a pocket park that people will get bored with and stop maintaining after 1-2 years...not to mention the potential to attract loiters from outside the neighborhood.
Obviously Im not a big fan of pocket parks...
Would anyone else like to use my rag to wipe JohnQ's pointless vomit off their computer screens???
What a trollish remark John.
Please try submitting something with more substance. Please.
I don't care if you don't like corner parks, or what ever else tickles your fancy to dislike today, but is it possible to do so in a manner that doesn't turn people away from substantive public discourse of topics relative to the City of Buffalo?
Thank you.
oh, gosh JohnQ… too bad you, your big fat wallet and wonderful ideas weren't around when several people from Cottage District, Fargo Estate and preservation orgs were given 30 days to come up with a buyer developer after a walk-through. We had 2 contractors there as well and the buy-and-abate ticket was about $200K — and that was BEFORE any re-hab of the apartments and commercial space. There's a double for sale 2 doors over, listed about $44,000 I believe. Why don't you scoop that up and get started! We love an owner-occupant, if you're up for it!
do you live in the city, johnQ?