Garrett Set Back But Also Tempered By Fire
Update: Saturday's house cleaning get-together is being postponed until further notice. We will keep those people that are interested in helping Harvey informed as to the future date. Thank you to everyone that has volunteered!
It seems like just yesterday when Harvey Garrett was giving us a guided tour through his 'work-in-progress' Victorian style house on Richmond Avenue. As a matter of fact it was just the other day. This morning we took the exact same tour of the same houseOe not to re-examine the architectural detail, but to inspect the extensive fire and smoke damage caused by a fiery ignition that took hold in his first floor office last evening.
By the time we arrived, there was already a swarm of activity surrounding the house. The firefighters had all vacated as the final signs of the fire were extinguished, and now neighbors and friends were on the scene wanting to know how they could help get this West Side activist back on his feet.
Those of you out there that know Harvey also know that the last thing he wants is for people to feel sorry for him. There are already signs of towel marks on the houseis stained glass windows where he has surveyed each room to start the restoration process all over again.
You see, this is a house that Harvey has spent years fixing up. He bought the house not only with the intent of restoring it to its original specs, but recreating it with historical accuracy down to the finest detail. His attention to detail has been a source of contention with the city while being an inspiration to preservationists at the same time. Harvey was not only in the process of restoring the house, he was collecting original furniture to coincide with the era that the house was built. Black and white photos adorned the walls of the living room along with velvet door-sashes and an original gramophone. The woodwork had been restored by hand and the original wall sconces had recently been replaced. Harvey had, at one time, obtained period photos to guide him step by step through the restoration processOe and now it was ruined.
What surprised us the most as we paid our visit was Harveyis mood. Though we are still convinced that he was in a slight state of shock, he was outwardly positive, if not jovial. He counted his blessings that he was still alive, was glad that no other houses on the street were damaged, and was upbeat that the exterior of the house was in good shape. The house's structure is still solid as the majority of the damage was caused by smoke, which means that the facade will not be an eyesore on the block. That means a lot to Harvey. Now that is a positive attitude. Unfortunately the smoke caused so much damage that all of his interior work will have to be redone from scratch. The woodwork will have to be refinished, most of the windows will have to be replaced and his possessions are now almost worthless.
We asked Harvey if there was anything that we could do to help and his answer was simply, iWell, one of my neighbors brought me a bottle of Febreeze this morning so my clothes wouldnit smell like smoke, and Iive had a guy boarding up the house since four this morningOe oh, I just want to express how great the firemen were all nightOe they did a wonderful job in trying to protect as many of my possessions as possible. Also, I am thankful that my neighbor has offered me an apartment to stay next door and a friend of mine has loaned me a laptop so I can continue to work.i Like I said, we still think that Harvey was in a slight state of shock, but his attitude was positive and that was what was most important.
After the tour we drove Harvey over to Acropolis for a cup of coffee. When the waitress took our order he declined the coffee and stated, iI drank so much coffee yesterday that I couldnit fall asleep last night.i
Saturday, a group of people are all pitching in to help Harvey clean his house. If you are interested in helping, please send an email to queenseyes@buffalorising.com.
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momo
Harvey, best wishes in getting things back on track...hope youre well.
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comptart
Oh Harvey, I just read of this mid-day Tuesday (3rd) and cannot tell you how horrible I feel for your loss. Thank heavens YOU were not lost in the tragedy too! If you need use of my workshop/tools, just contact me at the store. The "pied" is starting to get booked pretty tight but, if you need a break once in a while, I might be able to help w/ that too. Were all your original wallpapers and textiles lost too? This is so sad.
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Harvey
It's hard to explain what was lost and what still remains. The original 1880's wallpapers and museum-quality third floor bathroom will be fine. Almost every bit of original fuax-grained wood in the house, 1000's of feet of it are gone as are a few of the best stained glass windows. The good news is that the house had so much original material that even with this loss it will still be breathtaking when it's finished.
The fire fighters were amazing, I can't believe that in the middle of dragging hoses through my burning rooms that they took the time to carefully place my family photos, books, and a few other antigues into a neat pile in one og the rooms and cover them with tarps to protect them from the water.
An individual came from DeCarlo Emergency Enclosures at 4:30 in the morning after finishing another fire damaged house and worked all morning securing mine. I've had at least a dozen offers of houses and apartments, lots of food, offers for anything I needed. I can't count the number of people who came by today to make sure I was OK.
The City sent one of their best inspectors which, as you can imagine, I really appreciate. I'm working with a fire adjustment company to make sure that I get a fair settlement from my insurance company. And there is a cleaning company shaking their heads in my office right now.
I've got a lot ahead in the coming months, but it will all get done and, as always, I enjoy the kind of big impossible projects that make most people cringe a little.
Thanks for all the support,
Harvey
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jen
That sucks. I am so sorry!
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jen
That's wonderful that so many people came to your aid. Buffalo is truly the city of good neighbors. :)
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STEEL
Thankfully this house is owned by Harvey. Who knows what disaster could have happened after the disaster if it was in lesser hands. Good luck Harvey. My heart is with you from affar
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BFLORome
Never lose your vision Harvey...'New Buffalo' is behind you...
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shopitall
Harvey, a tragedy but you're still here & you'e the real treasure!
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Larry Bartolomei
Just can't get enough of the limelight, can ya Harvey ;-)
See you Saturday...
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westcoastperspective
Harvey- Sorry to hear about the fire and extensive damage to the house and contents! You're definitely a role model in more ways than you care to admit! Nice meeting you the other night! Wish I was around to help this weekend.
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Mr.E
Harvey,
We are stunned......... very thankful it was contained and is fixable. Your home is wonderous, an irreplaceable gem. You can count on our support as well for anything at anytime.
You have helped many, and it is now your turn to be helped through this time as well.
Bob, Cynthia, and Kate
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mnky
Grill cheese sandwiches are just a block away anytime! Not sure if we are able to switch our weekend outing with the parents, but will be there on Saturday if we can. I keep remembering how proud you were as you talked about each unique treasure throughout your home. Some may be lost - but with your style and positive approach it will be beautiful again for the next century to come.
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Hank Kaczmarek
Harvey--Thanks for all of your efforts. Sorry to hear about your losses in the house, but it seems as if you're a George Bailey. You have a lot more friends and support than you ever realized. Best of luck
with your house. Hank in NC
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Sundial
Hey Harv,
I know you're too polite and self-effacing to ever ask for help - and you'd decline if we asked if you needed anything - always thinking of others is just one of your best qualities but wanted to let you know whatever Kev and I can do to help, we're here.
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Mike Rizzo
We're sorry to hear about the loss, harvey, but glad you are ok. Our house is always open to you.
Mike and Deanna Rizzo
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Nicole
Oh my goodness!!!!! I'm so sorry...I just saw this today and couldn't believe it! Shame on me for not getting here sooner.
Didn't we just drive by there on our tour of the neighborhood on Saturday? I was so excited to see all the work and progress, especially Harvey's place. It seems like a dream.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help (even from here in Chicago), Harvey and team BR. We're cheering for you and will help in any way we can. Please let us know!
Nicole & Drew
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Dave
Hello Harvey
I was shocked to hear about your house.. If there is anything I can do, or anything you need on this side of the border..
Dave
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Ken Rolfe
Hey Harve.
So sorry to here about the fire. My thoughts are with you.
Good luck and I am glad you are ok. I know its going to be tuff but I know you will get back to the point where you left off. It is just going to take time.
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'lil Phil
Harv, Julie and I are saddened to hear about the fire but are relieved to know that you're alright. Ken told me this morning about it. Be safe and I hope the restoration process is able to continue soon.
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Harvey Garrett
Thanks Ken & Phil. Send me an email so I'll have your addresses. Hgarrett@adelphia.net
And thanks to everyone for all your support. I'll try to post an update soon.
Harvey
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jim kupczyk (andalu13)
harvey, i have been out of the loop for a bit...(still working on landing a job in buffalo--so i dont have to move!).....just heard recently of the fire.....so sorry...if there is ANYTHING i can do--just let me know......
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Kernwatch
It has now been about 1 1/2 years since the fire, but I have never heard if the fire was indeed an arson as suspected.
Was it arson ? And was the insurance coverage adequate ot address damage to the historic house?
The city still lists the 3100 sq ft house & 1000 sq ft barn as both in "fair" condiiton, with an assessmenst of merely $105K. The house was purchsed in "very poor" conditon in late 1996 for $100K, so it is assessed as less valuable now than 10 years ago, despite extensive rehab, if inflation is taken into account ($100K in 1996 is worth about 126K in 2006 counting inflation).
Is there a current update?
DK
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