Elmwood Makes The Top 10 'Great Places In America'
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Today, all of the efforts of so many community activists paid off in the form of major nationwide recognition. Christine Pyne (right), Elmwood Village Association President, was on hand to receive the award presented by Brendan Mehaffy (center), Deputy Director of the WNY Chapter of the American Planning Association. Unfortunately the Elmwood Village Association's Director, Justin Azzarella, was not able to attend the milestone award celebration. In his stead was the association's business development specialist, Dan Leonard (left), who kicked off the ceremony. Check out the Elmwood Village write-up here.
The Globe Market mini-park was an apropos spot to commence the celebration, as it happened to be, not so long ago, a derelict lot that attracted drug dealers and prostitutes. The lot was so bad that it was coined 'Needle Park'. A decade later the mini-park is a huge draw for families, students, and anyone else who wants to enjoy the Elmwood Village. It is victories like the one mentioned above that enabled the Elmwood Village Association to be included in the roster of neighborhoods that made the 2007 list of Great Places in America. It's a big deal for Buffalo, and the award will act as a lure to draw more businesses and people to the district. Once again Buffalo will be recognized for its excellent quality of life that contributes to making this a very livable city.
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Comment Options
Quinn
I think this reads as a bigger deal and a more impressive honor than people gave it credit for on yesterday's blog. I think we need to step back from our hopes of what we wanted the announcement to be and just be proud of the folks who live in EV for fighting (and blogging) for better neighborhoods and solutions. It is the folks who patronize the upstart local businesses and stayed and worked on their properties who deserve so much credit.
Also nitpicking but interesting. According to the shaped map of the Elmwood Village "Write-up", the Elmwood Village's western border is Richmond Avenue. However, the picture of "an Elmwood Home" is a cottage on Little Summer.
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MikeJW
Look at all those people there thinking..."I took off work for this?"
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Hospitable
wow...how exciting? I'd like to see the other 9 best places.
The biggest problem I have with elmwood and this town is the anti-corporate taste in everybodies mouth...
ya yaya. support local business and retail... but essentially Elmwood is never going to be better if everything remains homegrown and boutiquey...can we get some out of town flavor here!! ( not anti-elmwood either)
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NickelCityStudios
@MikeJW -
It's like getting wool socks from your grandma for christmas...
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TownLine
What was anti-corporate about this? This is fantastic news, nothing but positive, and I don't think people realize what a designation like this is going to mean when the Elmwood Village goes to market itself in places where people haven't heard of it. Perhaps to things called national corporations?
Amherst has built itself upon its "Safest place in America" designation, that has been used tremendously to market themselves to new companies and new residents. This appears to be the same type of deal for the Elmwood Village. I can't wait to see what can be done with it.
The random comments that so many people make on this site to make themselves feel funny, clever and intelligent are very old. When you do something thats worthwhile for this region, then maybe its worthwhile for you to post, otherwise stop wasting everyone's time.
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dpbflo
This is awesome. Im very happy for the EVA, residents and all the small business owners in EV. What a positive thing for a city on the move.
Hospitable- you write....."Elmwood is never going to be better if everything remains homegrown and boutiquey"... It was just made one of the 10 best places to live in the US, the homegrown and boutiquey -ness is a big part of elmwoods success. There is nothing a Corporate retailer or chain can offer that isnt already there.
Congrats EVA, congrats BUFFALO
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Andrew
After thinking about it, this is bigger news than I originally perceived. It gets Buffalo's name out there as a top place to live in America. This will surely attract some business attention as well as people looking for a move.
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give_me_urban
This is amazing news! I moved here from San Diego 2 years ago. Since purchasing my home in the Elmwood Village the value has already gone up $30,000. I put it on the market just before the annual Tour of Kitchens event and made a point to do some front yard gardening that day ;-)
I had two offers on my home before the sun went down (granted I gave them a tour of the inside as well). Both bidders were former city residents - one now lives in Clarence and the other (a young couple) are moving back to the area from Chicago. Both potential buyers already knew so much about Elmwood Village, I was amazed.
The main selling points where the EVA Farmer's Market in Bidwell Parkway and the free Summer Concert Series during the month of July, also at Bidwell. The proximity to shops like Cafe Aroma and 'room' were icing on the cake.
I’m pleased to say that I've just signed a contract of sale with the young couple from Chicago! They'll be moving into my lovingly restored double before the New Year. As for me, I'm moving on to a larger three unit home in the mid-village area of Elmwood. For the negative folk in the room - PLEASE understand that I could never have afforded to live like this in San Diego and certainly could not live so well!
Great job everyone and keep up the good work!
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bradon
Congrats to all involved! Elmwood Village is a great neighborhood, it is good to see it finally recognized as the one haven in the vast sea of neglect and decay that is Buffalo. We can only hope that the influence and affluence of the Elmwood Village continues to extend into other areas of the city.
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chrish
Rarely does Buffalo get ranked as equals with DC, Seattle, Austin, or San Diego. This is HUGE.
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tjc246
brandon, I think the success of the Elmwood Village has already helped other areas of the City. Look at the push westward. When I first moved to Buffalo in 1997 every 3rd home along Richmond Avenue was for sale and in desperate need of restoration. The transformation has been astounding. As homes in the Elmwood Village have gotten too pricey for many people, they are now choosing to move to other areas such as the Hertel neighborhood. Not only is this awesome for Hertel but will also help in the continued revitalization of that great neighborhood commercial district.
The award that the EVA received from the American Planning Association can only help strengthen the marketing efforts of the neighborhood and Buffalo as a whole. I hope local businesses start accepting the Canadian dollar and local banks make it easy for them to deposit those funds.
Dan Leonard if you are reading this, make sure there are plans to get all businesses in the Elmwood Village to accept Canadian currency and ensure that all the local banks are working with the local businesses to make it easy to do so. We need to welcome our visitors from the north with very open arms.
Congrats to all involved!!!
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Hospitable
I mean.. does this seriously tell us anything we didn't already know?? I hope it fills store fronts.
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stephenjames716
congrats eva...these are all reasons why I moved back to this area.
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ntdrew
well deserved and very positive for the city
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BuffaloBloviator
Congratulations to the leaders and residents of Elmwood Village. The award is a testament to those who have successfully fashioned their neighborhood in their own image.
The award will help preserve Buffalo’s heritage of possessing a diverse collection of distinctive neighborhoods.
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Kip
this is the shit!
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300miles
To Hospitable - this isn't about telling us what WE already know... it's about telling the world what THEY DON'T already know.
Look at the bigger picture.
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RisingDamp666
Every little bit helps! Now, onto the next neighborhood!
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brousey
Again.....SUPER job to all of you who make the difference. I miss you all and hope my mural on Jim's Steak Out helped. Great job especially to newell who is responsible for many of the recent ventures for you all!
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BuffaloCook
Ha ha to all my friends who think Suburbian living is better!!! I'll never move out of EV!!!
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