Corporate Advertising
As long as I can remember, the western corner of Elmwood and Anderson has been poorly maintained. That's too bad, because while the rest of the small businesses on the street fight to maintain a distinctive neighborhood image, the Verizon and National Grid buildings remain unkempt. The funny thing is that the potential for that corner is there. If you look closely at the Verizon building details, you will see that the materials and craftsmanship are quite impressive. Can you imagine if Verizon actually spent some money to fix up the appearance of its building?
It wouldn't even take much to make this corner attractive again. By removing the railroad tie window boxes and the few shrubs that grow in them, the marble base would be exposed. Then, if there were a few seating arrangements along the lines of M&T Bank (Elmwood and Breckenridge), the front of the building would be add life to the street. Even if the bronze mural tablets were lit up at night, the building would come alive. Verizon recently added new walkways on the Anderson side of the building. Since there is no green space to be found (how is that possible), maybe it's time to pay attention to Elmwood side. One look at the National Grid building is all it takes to see the graffiti tags on the signage. Between these two large corporations, you would think that they would be able to add something to the street. Isn't this a form of advertising?
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DanielSack
Verizon has been spending millions of dollars inside the building for their FIOS video "head end" distribution center for Western NY. That is what the new antennas are for. I see they even repaved the sidewalk along Anderson. Let's hope after the concrete cures it does not revert to being an illegal parking lot.
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LarkinLot
Lazy monopolies.
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MyNameWasTaken
So people complain when buildings don't green their exteriors and now here is an example of suggesting we rip the green out (or potential to make it greener). Utilities don't want the advertising on these buildings, the signage is low key for a reason.
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Perry
I agree - everytime I walk past that building I am amazed at the art deco design and detail. Cool building.
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mpowers
Hopefully, the fios update to the inside will make them a little more cognizant of their surroundings. I lived on Anderson across the street for almost a decade and saw an ongoing series of Verizon workers driving off their sidewalk parking lot onto Elmwood regardless of the actual traffic. The building could be great but has been such a fortress, complete with staff that was afraid of that part of the city. The illegal parking lot has always been a concern in an area where lots of kids play. They have the means to be a real great neighbor (especially given the potential competition to cable), but it will be interesting to see if they have the desire.
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oldimpala
Ahh... My old office building.... Spent a few years inside that building, and have a few comments...
1. Mpowers- The staff was most def. NOT afraid of the area; I can't tell you how many years the Breakfast Sandwiches from Chef's, or lunches at The Place shaved off my life.
2. Most of our buildings were built in the 30's/40's and have moderately good architecture, that we've butchered extensively in the past for "functionality" (Look at the building downtown, for clarification.) Problem is, it doesn't make for good neighbors, usually, nor preservation. Talk to Tim Tielman about the planned 80's skin for the Franklin St. Building. The company (As all are), though, is more into profit than friendship.
3. I DO hope there will be improvements to the facade, not only here, but at the downtown location, and locations across the country. We own several key pieces of Art-Deco work in NYC, some are being restored, some are being neglected. We (Employees) tried to do so working there. Little things, out of employee's pocket, like planting flowers in the boxes outside, and/or maintaining the trees/shrubs. Once the majority of employees left (2003), and the building became more equipment oriented; those things slipped.
I agree, it's a great building. The copper panels WERE valued (When they put an addition on the back, they had panels hand-made to duplicte the items in the front, at HUGE cost in the 60's.) It's a great location, but local management doesn't have, and won't get the budget to do the upgrades/repairs.
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