Do you really think that there are building owners out there who are happy that there buildings look like garbage? It's a question that I've been asking myself a lot recently. Maybe the reason that so many Main Street structures have been left to rot or simply cemented over is because there was a time when it looked like nobody cared. Remember the Genesee Gateway Building years ago? Somebody had painted on it, "Will the last person to leave Buffalo please turn off the light?"
I bet that was around the time that people threw up their hands and decided to fill in commercial facades with concrete and Dryvit. Why not? Who's really going to care? I believe that what we are finally seeing on streets such as Main is a resurgence of hope that the city is in the process of making a comeback. Take, for example, the building seen here the Saint Vincent DePaul building at the corner of Main and Bryant. For years the first floor covered with stark white paint with absolutely no character. The old store windows had been replaced with concrete block and the place looked decrepit. Apparently nobody cared what the outward appearance of the building looked like.
As of this morning, the concrete block has been freshly painted and large frame faux 'windows' have been installed, giving the corner some color and some life. As much as seeing real windows installed would have been better, the series of painting is a gesture that should be applauded. Each of the paintings (by Stephen Rovner) depicts items that can be found inside the building at Vincent's Discount Store. If you are familiar with the improvements, then you know that they are dramatic considering the previous condition of the facade. Maybe someday we'll be lucky enough to see a real storefront go into this corner - in the meantime, it is these types of improvements that let us know that there are people there who care about Main Street and the city.
See Main Street Message
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I bet that was around the time that people threw up their hands and decided to fill in commercial facades with concrete and Dryvit. Why not? Who's really going to care? I believe that what we are finally seeing on streets such as Main is a resurgence of hope that the city is in the process of making a comeback. Take, for example, the building seen here the Saint Vincent DePaul building at the corner of Main and Bryant. For years the first floor covered with stark white paint with absolutely no character. The old store windows had been replaced with concrete block and the place looked decrepit. Apparently nobody cared what the outward appearance of the building looked like.
As of this morning, the concrete block has been freshly painted and large frame faux 'windows' have been installed, giving the corner some color and some life. As much as seeing real windows installed would have been better, the series of painting is a gesture that should be applauded. Each of the paintings (by Stephen Rovner) depicts items that can be found inside the building at Vincent's Discount Store. If you are familiar with the improvements, then you know that they are dramatic considering the previous condition of the facade. Maybe someday we'll be lucky enough to see a real storefront go into this corner - in the meantime, it is these types of improvements that let us know that there are people there who care about Main Street and the city.
See Main Street Message
It looks much better. Now someone needs to address the serious litter problem in front of and across the street from said building.
Absolutely.
The Squier Mansion property (still owned by Cash Cunningham?) across the street is a constant mess with litter. A bus stop is located at the corner and lazy/thoughtless bus riders heading north on Main St. after stopping at Mickie D's are the primary culprits. Don't get me started on the lack of trash receptacles at ALL bus stops. That might help some...along with better upbrining and manners.
Then there is the sorry property (I think it's marketed by Militello) just north of St. Vincents, on the same side of the street. It's the property with the bldg set way back from the street with the crumbling 3-ft high, red brick wall alongside the sidewalk. It serves as an unsightly litter receptacle (and ready weapon cache).