A Sitdown With Forever Elmwood's Justin Azzarella
Forever Elmwood is experiencing a few changes these days, as it always does when there is a new addition to its board. Justin Azzarella is the new Executive Director of Forever Elmwood and he is excited to stir things up in the neighborhood. Iive had the pleasure of knowing all of the organization's previous directors, and each one has brought unique ideas and expertise to the non-profit's table.
Justin and I met the other evening at Off the Wall to discuss a few passions and concerns that we share regarding the Elmwood Village. It was my chance to pick his brain about recent activities (both good and bad) taking place in the area, and find out what sort of plans he has to ensure continued success in the district.
But before I started into the Q & A in regards to his plans, I asked Justin to tell me about his recent history and how he landed the highly sought after position.
It all started off at UB where Justin obtained his masters in Urban Planning. After graduating, he found himself interning at City Hall. He then secured another internship at Forever Elmwood. These internships provided him with enough hands on experience to land a gig as a Planning Associate at Buffalo Place where he stayed on for three years. Justin also sat on the board of the Allentown Association for two years where he found himself first as Secretary and then as Vice President. It was the combination of these internships and jobs that led him to apply for the Executive Director position at Forever Elmwood.
It was at this point in our conversation that we started to go back and forth on a variety of issues concerning the Elmwood District. I asked him his thoughts on Pier 1 leaving the area at which point he answered that iifi the business does vacate, then he plans on maintaining a constant dialogue with the buildingis owner until the space is once again filled with a suitable substitute. We discussed the recent wave of graffiti and Justinis recent meetings with Mayor Brownis office to combat the problem. The new Executive Director is very in tune with the street when it comes to how to handle most immediate neighborhood concerns as well as ways to circumvent future ones.
Before we wrapped things up, I asked Justin what his three main goals are in regards to making Forever Elmwood an even stronger association. iIim a neat freakOe and that comes in handy when you are running an organization. I like to streamline. If you canit nail down the little things, then the bigger things will be impossible. I also want to connect with the residents and businesses. I want to meet people and find out what their concerns are. I am a resident in the area and hope to someday have a business as well. I am devoted to Buffalo and am excited to work with the people that make it such a great place. I also feel that the Elmwood area needs to market and brand itself better. We have so many incredible assets that need to be broadcasted further and faster. My friend and associate Christina Akers of the Massachusetts Avenue Project has a saying that I really adhere toOe eBuffalo is a lifestyle choice.i That really resonates with me. I choose to live hereOe my friends around the country tell me Iim nuts, but they donit see what I see in Buffalo.i
If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Justin Azzarella, then you will surely agree that his spirit is contagious. He has very high hopes for our new administration, has a progressive outlook for Elmwood and is just a real stand-up guy. I look forward to working with him in the future and wish him best of luck in his new position.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
The Wait is Almost Over - BR's New Site
As we mentioned in our previous post, we’re in the process of changing the Buffalo Rising site. We’re almost there as we expect to launch the new site on Friday, December 19th.
In the meantime, posting will be light as we log new stories in the new publishing system which will only be viewable when we launch on Friday.
As always, we appreciate our users’ patience as we make this transition but we promise it will be well worth it. With faster load times, a comment view … - Dec 18th 2008, 11:32am
- Continue Reading
- 5 Comments
-
A Kennedy Visits Buffalo
Caroline Kennedy was in town for a visit with our mayor yesterday. A possible choice to succeed US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kennedy's name has been mentioned along with that of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo) and our own Byron Brown, among others.
Certainly, Kennedy has "been around politics" all of her life, which is to say she was born into a family of politicos and lived in the White House--neither of which would necessarily f … - Dec 18th 2008, 7:55am
- Continue Reading
- 32 Comments
-
Downtown Free Fare Zone May be Axed
Free light rail rides on downtown's above ground section could be derailed thanks to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's budget mess. That is the news coming out of a Buffalo Place meeting this morning. Facing a budget shortfall and reduced State operating assistance, the NFTA is scrambling for new revenue sources and is contemplating charging for rides along the lengthy downtown pedestrian mall.- Dec 17th 2008, 4:40pm
- Continue Reading
- 48 Comments
-
The NFTA Santa Ride
Well it is Christmas time in the city and the NFTA helped put people and especially children into the mood in a very festive and fun way. One of my favorite memories of childhood was taking the train downtown with my grandfather. I would gaze out the windows and watch the tunnel speed by. It always felt like we were going a million miles an hour.
Then there was the ability to stand up and walk around during the ride without the need to be strapped down. It was always a fun time … - Dec 17th 2008, 4:34pm
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
Comment Options
Ryan Pierce
Forever Elmwood needs to focus on the Elmwood-Bryant section of the Elmwood Village. Most of us would agree that the section between W. Ferry and Lancaster has seen much improvement, however, the Bryant section is often overlooked. For example, the KFC corner could be redevloped into a better use, something that would be more urban in character, and hopefully mixed use. The section of Bryant between Elmwood and Ashland is horrendous and clearly in need of some attention, NOW! For to long the old "Buffalo Roam" building has been rotting away, and is marked with gang graffiti, across the street the vacant laundromat has been a haven for criminal activity and is also been vacant for over two years. If these were near Cleveland or Lancaster, this would have been dealt with by now. This section of the EV is long overdue for reinvestment, There is money to be made here, please contact Forever Elmwood is you have also feel that this section need help
Report this
queenseyes
Ryan, I agree with you... I asked Justin about that location on Bryant and expressed utter amazement that it has been such an eyesore for so long. He was the first person that I talked to about the space that actually knew what was going on with it. It turns out that the current owner bought the building not realizing what it was going to take to fix it up. He has now been fined repeatedly and is on the lamb. So for the first time in years progress is being made on that location. In the meantime we as a community should remove the graffiti until it is completely out of the owners hands. It will be ineresting to hear his thoughts on your comment about KFC. The only thing I can suggest is talking to the owners about some sort of greenery at the corner. More importantly I would like to revisit the Rite-Aid corner. We did not discuss the laundry mat...
Report this
forfabric
May I offer that Bill (aka "Wiz") from EZ Graphics has been a bit of a "mayor" to that block but, there's only so much one guy can do! Justin would be wise to meet with him and I'll bet Bill would be thrilled for any FE assistance!
Report this
STEEL
As is so often the case Buffalo's dearalict buildings are not the result of a poor economy or lack of demand for space but because of naive ill prepared owners who neglect property to the point that it is unusable.
It should not be tolerated anyplace in the city especially a section of the city that is economically viable and growing
Report this
Tom Cooney
As the first executive director of Forever Elmwood (Tom Cooney), I can tell you that it is an overwhelming job. The organization only works because of the dedication of the volunteers from the community. Forever Elmwood has one full-time paid staff member, Justin Azzarella, and one part-time employee. I am making a plea on behalf of the organization for more of the community to come out and volunteer. A group of dedicated people from the community who work on nothing other than the graffiti problem would be awesome. There are some great products out there that can remove graffiti from brick, wood, metal, and vinyl.
The more people who volunteer with the organization, the better Elmwood Village will function. I urge each of you who live within the Elmwood Village to make a pledge to come out and volunteer your time and talent. Whether you volunteer once for an hour a year or on one of many committees, it will make a huge difference!!!
Elmwood has become stronger because people are not willing to wait and let government make it better. It is because of grassroots efforts of this community that has changed the face of Elmwood.
I was lucky to have some awesome volunteers in my three-and-a-half years with the organization. I would not have been successful without them. I can tell you from experience that I could have always used more volunteers. The great thing about Forever Elmwood is that there are so many ways to help. From the summer concert series, the Farmers Market, marketing, urban design, economic development, the Tour of Kitchens, holiday festivities, the website and newsletter, there is certainly a volunteer opportunity for you.
I recently spoke with Justin and I know that he is seeking volunteers with urban design and architectural experience (property owners and building owners are also needed) for the FaAade Improvement/Building Improvement program. Call him up and let him know if this interests you.
Being the executive director of Forever Elmwood was the most fulfilling job I have ever had- and one of the most exhausting. I now live outside of the area but miss the Elmwood Village dearly. I know many of you love this neighborhood and I am asking for you to contact Justin and offer him your valuable time. If you have specialized experience in any of the areas mentioned above that would be great as well.
It takes a Village to raise a Village!!!
P.S. Congratulations to Justin Azzarella. I can speak from experience that he has the drive and energy to keep things in the Elmwood Village moving in a positive direction!
Report this
BIA Mod.
Come home, Tom! All is forgiven! We miss you!
Report this
queenseyes
Yeah Tom, what on earth are you thinking not being in Buffalo... ?
Report this
Aaron
I am a proud resident of the Elmwood Village... and after reading all of the above I am hoping to find time to volunteer soon and give back to such a great community.
Since we are on this topic of making the EV stronger, I was just wondering... what are the chances of talking/working with Wilson Farms to improve their property? That corner and stretch of Elmwood has seen such a beautiful rebirth... yet right there in the middle is a parking lot. In a perfect world, Wilson Farms would rebuild its store closer to the street, with a unique design that better fits the environment, and put the parking in the back. Imagine what this would do to an already vibrant corner in the heart of the Village.
Report this
Gregory
Elmwood is lost "Forever". It'll never be the same and now it's being gentrified. Hotels, condos, high rents, maybe a strip mall. Sweet Tooth is the first of many to move. It was only a matter of time when outside money would make it's way in and push it's agenda.
Allen St. is the new Elmwood and I like the view!
Report this