Why didn't "THEY" do something?

Preservation isn't just about the big saves, there are many more examples of small efforts in just about every neighborhood in the city. Many of these projects are under the radar and rarely get any exposure in the media. These preservationists have "skin in the game" and quietly plug away at homes and buildings that others may not appreciate. We neeed to value these individual efforts and respect those that are willing to invest their time, energy, and dollars into making this city a better place.

Just because someone is against one extreme point of view doesn't mean they fully embrace the opposite extreme. For example, just because someone speaks out and says that all buildings should not or cannot be saved, doesn't mean that they advocate for the destruction of everything. This is what you are insinuating when you say "pro-demo crowd".

The term "obstructionist" is not typically used in reference to proactive preservation, as you describe above. It is generally used when a group or individual uses preservation as a tactic for stopping development that they do not agree with for a variety of philosophical or ideological reasons. A good example is the HO Oats Grain Elevator, the preservation of the elevator was supported by the anti-gambling zealots and not the preservationists. Granted, the preservationists may have the best interest of the community in mind, but they used preservation as a tool to leverage a separate agenda.

There is a tremendous amount of great preservation work being done throughout the region. From single family homes to large buildings. Maybe the task of preserving all that needs to be preserved is just too big for PBN. After all, the majority of buildings that have been restored instead of demolished have been done by individuals who are not affiliated with PBN. So the "They" that you mention is actually just about every homeowner and property owner in the city that is actively working on repairing and renovating their properties. The others are not necessarily "pro demolition" as you infer, they may have been a wannabe preservationist who got in over their head (like the woman who owned the atrium building on Genesee Street).

This isn't an "us versus them" issue, there are thousands of shades of gray that fall between obstructionist and demolition(ist). It might be beneficial to seek out those shades instead of alienating them by lumping them in at one extreme.

A good example is the HO Oats Grain Elevator, the preservation of the elevator was supported by the anti-gambling zealots and not the preservationists.

Preservation was supported by both groups.

The trouble is not that "THEY" aren't doing something, but that THEY miss so many until the last moment and go whine in court.

let's not forget that preservationists have no authority to trespass on private property, inspect vacant structures for deterioration, or write them up for housing court. structural problems cannot be accurately diagnosed from the curb.

so faulting them for "waiting until the last minute" would be valid if they possessed full, real time knowledge of the condition of every vacant building in town but consciously refused to act on that knowledge.

in other words, when the city fails to do its job, preservationists are to blame!

just because proactive work doesn't snag big headlines doesn't mean that it doesn't occur.

Pro Demo crowd...... Tells me everything I need to know about you and the article in the first sentence.

Great article, Steel.

I think part of the problem is that the city values grass more than demolition by neglect.

Brown won’t back down on fines for high grass

I wish there was still the old "vote up" system, because this is one of those articles that should be voted up. Great article!

part of the problem with preservation in Buffalo and most of America is the way our law system is setup. We don't have strong laws that guide people, at best they are loose vagaries designed that way on purpose to allow people to reign for themselves. It is all a part of the mentality of personal freedoms. The counter point to this, also setup by design is the right or groups or individuals to sue and try to change the system. A course about the history of land use planning in America really is an eye opener. It is easy to say you are an obstructionist to someone coming in to sue at the last minute but often there is not any other means necessary for a group or even a government to influence what an individual does.

Suits \ appeals \ amendment \ courts are all annoying and can be frustrating depending on the side you are one are what build out whole system of laws, it allows them to change and flow with the culture of the time \ place. Sorry for being an obstructionist but the preservation board is nothing but advisory, and even a federal designation as a national landmark can't stop a property owner from demolishing their property. Suing is there for a reason.

I respect Henry, but PBN is a feel good organization...They were no where to be found when the GLF elevator went before the Common Council for Landmark status. They sided with the owner and against the Presevation Board for Landmark status for the Davidson House and the Heath House...feel good organization

I think that all sides have made their mistakes in the past. Sometimes it does seem like a child only wanting his toy when someone else is playing with it, with preservationists only seeming to rally once a building is set for demolition. But we have lost many great structures in the city as well despite the best efforts to save them. I would like to see a greater mix of old and new. Not every older building or home is necessarily historically significant enough to keep. I am not promoting demolition just for the sake of it, but if an even better looking building is being proposed I would hope that we would consider going that route sometimes as well. On the other hand, I would like to see (if it doesn't exist) an assistance program to people rehabbing old homes. A tax credit only helps so much, but maybe also do low interest loans with pre-approved contractors and materials. I guess I'm not so much on the fence but more so able to see both sides depending on the situation and I think that more people in the city need to have that outlook, it would save a lot bickering.

Good article. I don't think enough is known about some of their big wins and some of the stuff they are working on.