Essex Corners: A Three Hour Tour
Organizers hoped for the best on today's tour of The Essex Corners Arts District, and that's just what they got. Tour-goers started to arrive at Prime 490 at the scheduled 1pm time and just before the event got underway there were close to thirty people signed up. That was a far better turn out that anyone had anticipated. Among those gathered were people who, many with pen in hand, were ready to learn about the flourishing West Side neighborhood. And even though everyone was anxious to get started, I don't think that anyone knew exactly what the group was in for.
Throughout the day the travelers made stops into people's homes that had recently been renovated. There were visits to neighborhood art studios, like Donna Sturges' ceramic studio. Along the way, West Side activist Harvey Garrett pointed out structures while the crowd 'ooohed’ and ‘aaahed' as they followed. Houses that had sold for next to nothing were now being restored everywhere the tour winded. Even more houses were pointed out that had recently secured new owners, many of whom were planning on moving into the neighborhood. Big Orbit Gallery was a huge hit... people were amazed that such a place existed, smack dab in the middle of the tour zone. And Urban Roots and the Five Corners made a big impression too.
It's fascinating to see houses that, just one year ago, were on the City's targeted demo list. Many of these houses are now being revitalized and turned back into functioning owner-occupied households. As the group moved from street to street, pieces of paper were handed out listing buying opportunities, showing graphs with positive trend movements, and recounting published success stories. Sales trends for each one of the streets has been carefully charted in order to show the overall upward shift in property values. The funny thing is, the people appeared to be more interested in the houses that had not yet been spruced up. It was clear that the opportunities were what people wanted to see. Of course the success stories are an affirmation that the neighborhoods are experiencing an upswing... the question was, how good are the deals and who do you talk to get the bargains. Obviously, the real bargains are found deeper into the West Side, but even those neighborhoods are seeing newfound investors moving in.
In coming days and weeks, I'll be featuring some of the individual points of interest that we came away with on this tour, along with a fun slide show.
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
Joshua
I forgot about this event, and I was able to go since our work party was canceled at the Central Terminal. This is a very interesting neighborhood and I am still interested in this part of the West Side.
To: Newell, et. al - Thank you again for publishing two of my comments in the printed Buffalo Rising magazine. It means a lot!
Report this
chris69
Newell, could you please do some stories on South Buffalo. I know there are artists and sculptors in South Buffalo. I know there are concerts in South Buffalo they just had one at the Basilica. I know there is retail on South Park and Abbott. I know they have a college...Trocaire is in South Buffalo. I know they have a Delaware Style Park called South Park and I know they have the Botanical Gardens.
I think the westside really has some good momentum and is getting the respect and awareness of fellow Buffalonians but what I notice is that there are stories of downtown, the westside and less frequently the eastside and rarely south buffalo. I think that its time we tried to facilitate appreciation for all of our inner city neighborhoods.
Report this
Harvey
Thanks for coming along Newell. About a dozen neighbors joined us afterwards at Prime 490 and they were still celebrating when I left - so I definitely expect them to improve this event further in the Spring. This neighborhood is really starting to bloom - while retaining a very unique character. Everyone should look forward to the upcoming slide show.
We'll be redoing this event around April and will be adding a few more neighborhoods (the Cottage District and Kleinhans so far). If this is the kind of turn out we can expect in December I anticipate a couple of hundred in the Spring.
I like the idea of learning more about South Buffalo. I asked a friend for a tour one time and he jokingly told me I would need a secret pass word to get in. I'd love to get a really in depth tour of the area. Is there anyone willing to pull one together?
Harvey
Report this
Joshua
chris and harvey - that is very interesting that you mention there should be more So. Bflo stories. I was thinking the same thing as I was driving around South Buffalo today. I do agree that there should be more stories from there.
Report this
123
I am so glad that so many wonderful people showed up to take part in this fantastic event. It was such a success. It would be amazing if every deserving neighborhood in our city could be showcased with the same level of commitment from the residents and the same level of interest from the participants. If only three people had shown up I would have considered this a success, but instead there was ten times that. There was so many friendly people that were genuinely interested in being a part of our community. I hope to see some of my new friends as neighbors next year.
Report this
Seamus
Thanks as well to Christian and JJ at Prime 490 and Liz from Quaker Bonnet for the cookies.It's fun having a supportive business community especially when they are armed with sweets and liquor licenses
Report this
Drew
It really was a great tour, filled with great people. Good job and thank you to all who put it together.
Report this
ash
Congratulations are in order for Kevin and Lucy, as well, who conceived this great idea for our neighborhood...and who also put alot of work into this event. Awesome. It was great to share our slice of Buffalo with others...why we choose to live here...why we believe in our neighborhood's potential...afterall it's got great bones.
Report this
ash
almost forgot...this can spread through all of Buffalo's great neighborhoods.
Report this
sleepy
Sorry to have missed this event due to work. After all I've heard from fellow neighbors, I certainly plan to be in attendance during April's Open House Tour. I moved in here two years ago and have seen many of the positive changes taking place. Since joining in on the block club, recently formed, I look forward to seeing this area blossom back into it's former charm. Thanks to all for this event.
Report this
hashma
I agree with the ideas on South Buffalo. I was helping plant trees at Cazenovia Park last April and realized that i really didn't and don't know much of that area or any of its developments.
All in all, things are looking up for Buffalo one neighborhood at a time. As more people become investors in Buffalo, the city will slowly improve all around. Now, if only we could fix up those schools....
Report this
Sundial
Just wanted to thank everyone who came out to see our neighborhood and all the businesses and organizations that helped us showcase our area. We wanted to show folks what a great community we've got, that it's rich in culture, reknowned restaurants and especially great neighbors.
Kudos to Newell and David Rivera for taking our little tour.
For a brisk December afternoon so close to the holidays we got a great turn out and we fully encourage more folks to explore our corner of Buffalo.
Report this
Harvey
My neighbor asked me to post this for him. Mic is in the picture above front left:
For me, this is part of a continuing experience for all to come together for the common good. Buffalo is a mighty industrial-age city reflecting the belief that the dignity of hard work yields the hopefulness of change and progress.
Come and live in this fabulous neighborhood and join us in our hard work to transform Essex Corners and the city into a beacon of hope and civility.
I am grateful to have the opportunity of working with my neighbors. Thanks to all of you. Mic
Report this
Timothyhamilton
I have lived in Buffalo for 26 Years, and out of all the neighborhoods I've lived in, the Essex Corners neighborhood has been the most desireable neighborhood I've ever lived in. I have lived in the University District, Lovejoy District as well as the far East side of Buffalo. I have never been so happy in my life as I have been now in the Essex Corners neighberhood ! It is such a close knit area where people really care about where they live and that in itself means a lot to me. I know that everyone in the neighborhood is doing everything possible to make this the addition to the Elmwood Village, but on the other side of Richmond. And believe me, this can be better than the Elmwood Village in my own perspective. We have a lot more than the Elmwood Village does as far as history and being a close knit family.
Report this
orlanmon
Deleted posts how amusing....
Report this
Perry
Bravo! Sounds like the event was a smash hit!
Report this