Buffalo Rising Online

May 15th, 12:01am By West Coast Perspective

The Buffalo Diocese has announced the formation of a new committee that will advise Bishop Kmiec on future uses for parish properties that will no longer be used as a result of mergers. The Parish Property Redevelopment Committee is comprised of architects, engineers, housing advocates, urban planners and developers.

To date, twenty Buffalo churches have been shuttered as part of the controversial "Journey in Faith and Grace," a strategic planning and spiritual revitalization initiative launched in June 2005 to respond to shrinking population, changing demographics, declining attendance, and fewer diocesan priests. The diocese has drawn criticism for placing what some consider over-restrictive reuse limitations on the properties.

“I am looking forward to working with the members of this committee to explore redevelopment of parish properties,” Bishop Kmiec said in a prepared statement. “We want to make sure that any Church properties that we no longer use continue to be assets to their surrounding neighborhoods.”

The committee met with Bishop Kmiec on April 23 and, on Monday, toured four church properties in the city of Buffalo: St. Adalbert, St. Agnes, Queen of Peace and St. Gerard. The committee will visit parishes in Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda in the coming weeks.

Committee members are:

Beverly Foit-Albert, Ph.D. – president, Foit-Albert Associations, Architecture, Engineering and Surveying, P.C.; Dr. Foit-Albert is responsible for the programming, planning, design and management of some of the firm’s most distinctive projects.

Peter H. Grace, P.E. – managing partner, Siracuse Engineers LLP; Grace has varied experience in all types of building construction projects, including the major modernization of Roswell Park Cancer Institute and renovation of Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

George M. Hezel – clinical professor, University at Buffalo Law School; Hezel founded the Affordable Housing Clinic at the U.B. Law School in 1987, and has collaborated with not-for-profit community-based organizations throughout Western New York, producing more than 2,000 units of affordable housing.

Theodore L. Lownie – partner, HHL Architects; his civic involvement has included membership on the Buffalo Preservation Board and the New York State Council on the Arts, Architecture, Planning and Design and the Scajaquada Creek Pathway Development Committee.

George Lukaszewicz – president, George Lukaszewicz Architects, P.C.; his firm has extensive experience building, renovating and restoring Catholic churches and church properties in the Diocese of Buffalo. Lukaszewicz is co-author of “Guidelines for Building and Renovating Churches.”

Carl J. Montante Sr. – managing director, Uniland Development Company, one of WNY’s largest commercial real estate firms.

James K. Morrell – superintendent of transportation planning, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Metro Bus Service Planning Division; Morrell is chairman of the City of Buffalo Planning Board and is past board president of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers.

James L. Rykowski – regional director, Community Preservation Corporation, Western New York office; provides a broad range of consulting services to assist municipal and county government sand community organizations with development community revitalization strategies. Rykowski will serve as committee chair.

Jake Schneider, AIA – president, Schneider Design, Architects PC; he has worked on a number of church projects. Schneider has a sound understanding of architecture in a historical context and is a partner in the team that renovated the Historic Warehouse Lofts @ 210 Ellicott Street.

The committee will concentrate its efforts on parish sites in the diocese that have significant architectural and historical significance. Members will assist the diocese in developing viable reuses that will maintain these facilities for future generations.

“The reuse strategies will be concentrated on securing qualified developers and community service organizations to locate in and maintain these facilities,” Bishop Kmiec said. “Our goal is to enhance social services and the quality of life for residents in the surrounding community.”

To date, twenty churches have closed and there are more to come. Later this year, the final restructuring plans will be made public. Decisions will be announced regarding the two remaining clusters of churches in South Buffalo and Kaisertown.

Entry image: Holy Name of Jesus Church, Bailey Avenue (closed).