Niagara Street Takes A Couple More Hits
This is the second fire incident on Niagara Street in the last couple of weeks. Last weekend I witnessed the teardown of two properties (second photo), including the former Danny Zack's bar (corner of Breckenridge). The source of that blaze was the vacant building next door - a structure that, according to an article in The Buffalo News, met its demise due to a combination of "City Hall bureaucracy, drug dealers, thieves and finally a fire." The fire also squashed the dreams of a family that had intended to convert the former nightclub into another such operation. David Torke of Fix Buffalo mentioned to me this morning that he would be interested in spearheading a fundraising effort for the family.
It's about time that The City takes a serious look at streets like Niagara. With the right plan of action, the latter scenario could be easily avoided. There is still an excellent inventory of buildings on the street, though if a plan of action is not developed the buildings on Niagara Street could, one day, be outnumbered by vacant lots.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
Silent/Sound Outdoor Film Festival
Columbus Park could be one of the most underutilized parks in Buffalo. It also has a ton of untapped potential. There are bike trails and walkways leading through the heart of it as well as a ton of old growth trees. I’m sure that the park is used by the neighbors, but unlike parks like Johnson, Days, etc., I rarely see activities and events taking place there. As a matter of fact, I don’t recall ever seeing an event or gathering at Columbus Park.
Last night Squeaky Wheel hos … - Today, 7:58pm
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
Foreclosure Prevention Assistance
According to Joy McDuffie, Foreclosure Prevention Specialist at the WNY Law Center, don’t believe everything you hear about foreclosures in Buffalo – they’re still a real problem. McDuffie says many think that Buffalo didn’t get hit hard by the sub prime lending market collapse, but that it just isn’t true.
“We’re really trying to help because Buffalo definitely has a foreclosure problem, but there are things that homeowners can do. We actually have a $700,000 two-y … - Today, 1:10pm
- Continue Reading
- 1 Comments
-
Medaille College
Medaille was founded in 1875 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph to prepare its members for teaching in diocesan schools. Later, in 1937 the institute was chartered by New York State to grant baccalaureate degrees in education; the college was renamed in honor of Father John Peter Medaille, and the rest is history.
Since its founding, Medaille has grown into a well-known, private, four-year college with their main campus located in the historic Olmsted Crescent in the heart of Buffa … - Today, 7:57am
- Continue Reading
- 4 Comments
-
Secrets of Allentown Tour
Since 1994, people have gone on the self-guided “Secrets of Allentown” tour, discovering the rich history of the area and the beauty of the architecture here in Buffalo. That tour once again returns, and though they’re willing to tell you the main attraction, to find out the rest of the homes, you’ll have to take the tour yourself.
The tour is on Sunday, September 14th and kicks off at the Clement Mansion where the Red Cross is headquartered at 786 Delaware Avenue. There, … - Today, 2:17am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
Comment Options
BuffaloBloviator
Is that the building that used to say Curtiss Screw?
Report this
flyguy
If this street actually realizes its potential one day it will redevelop with some mid-rise to high-rise residential type buildings. As well I see this street as a corridor of international commerce with proximity to the border crossing and access to downtown. If it ends up a corridor with alot of vacant lots I say its a result of market conditions and a lack of focus on targetting the area for economic development. The whole Niagara Street corridor extending up into Blackrock/ Riverside needs some love to turn bad trends good and save these areas before they end up totally obliterated like the lower east side where theres really nothing left, the urban built environment has been so terribly damaged that its now a piece of memory and history. At least this area has enough built environment left to maintain the historic urban feel yet allow for large new developments as well. The market needs to see the value of the corridor and fix it. Then again if that sewage treatment plant is still fouling up the area with odors then all bets are off. How many years have gone by since that problem started? Is it still an issue? I havent been by Squaw Island in awhile.
Report this
bc71
ALERT: WESTSIDERS KEEP YOUR WINDOWS CLOSED, that's chlorine burning in that building on Niagara Street,
Report this
BuffedOut
Niagara Street has been a horrible mess for at least 45 years. What's going to change it now? Residential buildings are not the answer.
Report this
Einstein
The City is disappearing one building at a time. We seem to lose one or two buildings a day due to fire, demolition, neglect or weather. How long until the gaps in the street outnumber the buildings? How long until the East Side and West Side turn into shovel ready fields waiting for development that never comes. Some of the streets are downright eerie to walk on, it is almost as though we need tumbleweeds and sagebrush to create the full effect.
Report this
blackrocklifer
Niagara street has so much potential, fom the lower west side up into black rock and riverside are some of the best old buildings in Buffalo, with enough critical mass to give context. This area is ripe for redevelopement and is truly under valued.
Report this
wizardofza
ummm....such "redevelopment" needs some sort of real economic impetus. I see next to none at this point.
Report this
Andrew
i drove past the great brick building this evening at like 730... its gone forever. the fire riped down to the ground floor. so sad i loved that building.
Report this
Activist
Niagara Street and the entire lower west side is hostage to the Peace Bridge and how that project, if ever completed, will treat traffic flow. It is the 800 pound gorilla that is going to determine the lower west side's fate. Until then, we get to see buildings burn down with no replacement or plans.
Report this