One Down On Wadsworth
I hope that some of you recall this house (see post) - it's located at 23 Wadsworth and it's been a real mess for a long time. So what did it take to see some action at this property? It took out-of-towners with some persistence and vision. When it comes to persistence and vision, I don't know which weighs heavier in the development/rehab world. The property is owned by Wendes Jones and Kenneth Beaver, a couple who felt that Wadsworth was worth a lot more than just having a couple of rundown houses on the street. So they purchased a few properties and got down and dirty. Weeks previous to the reporting on this property, I focused on another huge recovery just down the street (see post). There is a major upswing taking place with this Kleinhans/Allentown connector. This is one out-of-town investment success story that we should relish for a while.
Don't think that the battle on this street is over. Coming up in the near future the Falcon Lot is coming up for sale. This lot should not ultimately stay a parking lot. Otherwise, demo by neglect will be an incentive for hundreds of other slumlords (see post). Let's hope that we can get a legitimate bidder to purchase the property - a bidder with vision who understands the delicate commercial and residential balance of Wadsworth, Days Park and Allentown.
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stephenjames716
wow, this looks great, good work!
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STEEL
Very nice
Some day people will start to realize the value of this over a parking lot.
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al-alo
id love to hear more about the reno. . .
did they hire out the work? do it themselves? is that hardiboard or stripped original clapboard? what were the hiccups? permits? lead? asbestos? where did they find their fixtures? how were finishes selected?
is there a local documenting their restoration? id love to hear and read about another Buffalonians experience.
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sbrof
very true al-alo, the more information we could get out about such a renovation job the more we can strip away the mystery and fear about taking on such jobs. Sure not everyone can do this but just about anything who is in the market for a new house could do a job similar or better for this.
Were these the homes that were putting in Geothermal.. if so I would love to know the details of that investment.
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knock_knock
I think they did it them selves, every time I rode by I only seen one or two people working on it. They did a great job
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crisa
There are two storefronts on Broadway between Bailey Ave. and Memorial Drive, (I don't remember exactly where along that stretch), that appear to be renovated. One is some sort of medical supplies store, I don't know what the other is going to be, but what is most impressive to me about both building is that the new front windows are large and attractive in an area of very unattractive old, rundown buildings. I wonder if this stretch of Broadway is "movin on up (on) the east side".
There is also one huge warehouse near the RR overpass and Memorial that would be excellent for loft dwellers, parking space included! (There are several incredibly beautiful churches, but they are still in use as churches.)
That entire area is patently dorment; patiently waiting...
There is so much talk about the other three sections of Buffalo at BRO, so, I thought I would, ahem, put in a mention for the East Side--the outer corner of the East Side that borders right up to Sloan/Cheektowaga and with W. Seneca not far away--a corner of Buffalo with tons of potential because there is tons of unused space--the next place to be as Allentown, Elmwood Village and Hertel interests and waterfront properties fill to capacity, ahem.
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djcoolhaus
I've seen the transformation of this house take place before my eyes. Ken and Wendes have fought like salmon swimming upstream against the current of old mentality people who work at City Hall, and you know what, they have truly succeeded! Their attention to detail, using recycled products, high efficient systems, locally made materials, and other environmentally friendly practices will help the neighborhood continue to attract further re-investment. The question was thrown out, is it persistence or vision? You need vision to get the project going and to get others to back you financially, and persistence to get it finished. Both equally important in this economic climate. But with available tax credits from the state and feds, others too can realize a similar end product, even at the Falcon Lot. One word of caution sbrof, this kind of project is not for the faint of heart or pocketbook. The hurdles they had to jump were far more difficult than most people would ever want to deal with. Kudos to Wendes and Ken. We wish them more luck in their other endeavors.
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djcoolhaus
I've seen the transformation of this house take place before my eyes. Ken and Wendes have fought like salmon swimming upstream against the current of old mentality people who work at City Hall, and you know what, they have truly succeeded! Their attention to detail, using recycled products, high efficient systems, locally made materials, and other environmentally friendly practices will help the neighborhood continue to attract further re-investment. The question was thrown out, is it persistence or vision? You need vision to get the project going and to get others to back you financially, and persistence to get it finished. Both equally important in this economic climate. But with available tax credits from the state and feds, others too can realize a similar end product, even at the Falcon Lot. One word of caution sbrof, this kind of project is not for the faint of heart or pocketbook. The hurdles they had to jump were far more difficult than most people would ever want to deal with. Kudos to Wendes and Ken. We wish them more luck in their other endeavors.
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Sal
The building looks great - just taking off that old siding made a big difference.
Any word on what purpose the place has?
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