The Connecticut Street Armory
While attending the Peace Bridge Public hearings the other day I could not help but think about one of Steel's posts called 'Found This On A Buffalo Sidewalk'. The post was a tribute to the Connecticut Street Armory and described his excitement when, one day as a young boy, he stumbled upon it. In Steel's post he wrote, "We came very close to loosing this building. The structure is essentially 2 buildings occupying an entire block. In 1982 a massive fire raged though the north half, ravaging everything but the outer walls. The south half was saved by a firewall separating the two parts. This was very fortunate. The south portion of the building houses a beautiful interior drill hall surrounded and clad with elegant wood paneling and balustrades while the north portion (destroyed by fire) was essentially a garage for storage of military vehicles. After the fire there were immediate calls for demolition of the remaining walls."
As I sat in the chair waiting for the proceedings to get underway I snapped a couple of photos of the interior that Steel so fondly described. As I stood there, it struck me that I had never stepped foot inside The Armory during the day. Therefore I had never realized that the ceiling boasted a massive skylight. The ornamental woodwork was much more intricate than I had remembered... actually, the entire space was especially dramatic since the light from the sun helped to spotlight much of The Armory's attributes.
During the procedures, one woman suggested that the Public Bridge Authority could turn The Armory into a functioning public space that would double for the visitors' center that they were planning for the Peace Bridge Plaza. That suggestion made a lot of sense to me. The Armory is very close to the bridge, and from the looks of it there's plenty of room. Instead of taking more homes via eminent domain, I wonder if these types of alternative use scenarios have been considered. I'm sure that a structure such as The Armory would be a better draw than a prefab build the likes of what we will surely see.
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Wilby
How about movie/TV studio space with adjoining production offices? Talk to the city Film Office, make it another reason someone, anyone, might want to shoot there! Hey, they did it in Pittsburgh!
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sbrof
it still amazes me that there is anyhting left around here with this demolish on first sight of trouble mentality. I for one am glad this building isn't gone. It is gorgeous and a true landmark that orients people and helps frame the Olmsted Park in Front of it. What a nice area, too bad most of it will be gone soon because of Bush's asinine declaration to abandon the shared border alternative we fought so hard to get moving.
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chris69
Id go one further and make it a visitors center and duty free shop!
Id also open the remaining area up to the Buffalo CVB to book conferences and small conventions.
The surrounding community is crap...the last thing we want is for a major Buffalo asset like this to become a Puerto Rican and Hispanic ghetto center.....the only thing worse would be if it were on the east side and made into an african american ghetto center then no one would ever get to use it.
sorry but its the truth...the majority of Buffalonians arent prejudice but they do shun hispanic and african culture as an unsafe anti-white ghetto
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Frankster
Um, am I missing something? When did the New York State National Guard declare this building surplus? Are they moving out? If not, I doubt that the PBA--or anyone--can evict them from their own property. So it is silly to offer new uses for it. It ain't for sale.
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chris69
no one is talking about evicting....more like sharing un-used space
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urbanesque
Aren't there a couple dozen houses that sit between the Peace Bridge and the Armory?
How is this a better alternative to the 'cut and burn' plan that the state and PBA proposed?
It is my understanding that the Armory is still being used by the Army and is a key component of our national defense, especially given the proximity to the border crossing. I have heard that Homeland Security, DoD, and ICE plan on expanding the roll of this facility. What makes you think that it is available for a visitor center and duty free shop?
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urbanesque
The surrounding community is crap...the last thing we want is for a major Buffalo asset like this to become a Puerto Rican and Hispanic ghetto center.....the only thing worse would be if it were on the east side and made into an african american ghetto center then no one would ever get to use it.
I fail to see the logic or thought behind this comment Chris. Care to elaborate on why the surrounding neighborhoods are 'crap' and how this reflects on the residents? If the surrounding neighborhoods are such 'crap' then why not demolish them to make way for the NYS and PBA plan?
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Frankster
Hellooooo? The National Guard owns 100% of this building. They are subject to security precautions handed down by the Department of Homeland Security. They can't just invite someone to move in even if they wanted to. Can anyone demand to "share unused space" in a house you own? I don't get the point of suggesting for other uses. It is perfectly reasonable for an armory to be used as an armory.
If someone wants a glorious hall for a media production studio or a visitors center, we have plenty of vacated or soon-to-be vacated churches you can use.
The Armory is spectacular, and if it weren't for obstructionists like Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Joel Giambra (yes, THAT Joel, back when he was Niagara district Common Councilmember) and the Preservation Coaltion, we'd have another miserable "shovel ready" site there. That is the story that even the author of this article missed.
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comptart_lws
Chris69: sometimes I wonder if you're bi-polar. And, besides that, have you even looked at what is to the West of the Armory (stunning, largely owner-occupied homes — oh, yeah… lots of white people by the way) and, to the East (D'Youville campus… lots of white people there) a PARK to the South (mostly squirrels and birds) and a struggling community to the South (that's more "mixed" of color). And, ya know what? The worst property owner of them all — the all-white (I suspect) PBA!!!
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TomServo0
I too visited the Armory for the first time for the hearings. What a great building inside and out! And it's not a wealthy neighborhood--households make about $17k a year--but it's a healthy one. As a dual citizen of the US and Canada I'm disappointed that they're refusing to entertain shared border proposals and sacrificing this community in the process.
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LivingForge
Yet another fantastically racist post from Chris69.
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chris69
urbanesque, comptart, livingforge, yeah your right Im actually a big supporter of the neighborhood and in the shared border management so we dont have to sacrifice 400 homes and businesses, as well as the homes that surround the armory and front park....
its just so irratating with renaming streets and bridges etc etc etc....using part of the armory for civilian use just made me feel like we were just a few steps away from another minority coupdetat where a resource that is part of our city is taken ownership to serve the few.
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chris69
as far as it being a racist comment livingforge, boohoo, you think pitts/eve/rod watson ever held their tongue on racist accusations that label our entire city and region. Please.....and how many hold their tongue with their anti-christian bigotry..that we have to rename christmas to happy holidays or dare we put of a decoration or a manger.
oh and frankster in regards to your comment "Can anyone demand to "share unused space" in a house you own?"
Yes their called illegal aliens and they cross the border into a sovereign country and think they own it ... if they dont respect the rights and laws of a country ... you think they are going to respect your property and ownership rights?
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mam
Wow ,Chris69 I had no idea you were bi-polar . Your previous comment has to be the worst I've heard in quite sometime ! Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States so therefore puerto-ricans are not illegal aliens . Your ignorant racist commentary overshadows some of the valid intelligent points you bring forth so I would be very careful if you want anyone to take you seriously.
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urbanesque
I find it sad that this is the first time that many of you have visited the Armory. It is a fantastic building, rich in architecture and tradition, it is a shame that it is taken for granted.
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porter
I remember going to a concert there about 14 years ago to see the band Live. Not sure who put it on or why it was held there but it was a great place to see a concert.
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Frankster
Chris69's logic in a nutshell: It is not OK for immigrants to come here illegally, therefore it is OK to elbow the National Guard out of their own building.
Urbanesque: Ever since 9/11, security has been tight at the Armory. Many of us who want to experience the inside have had no opportunity.
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RaChaCha
Queenseyes, a treat to get these photos of the armory's interior, for those of us who haven't had the chance to be inside. This summer, I finally had the chance to check out the equally awesome exterior when I brought some folks from RaChaCha to visit Buffalo's west side. For anyone interested in delving a bit more into the post-fire preservation of the building, there is a dedicated chapter in Beautiful Buffalo (http://wnybooks.com/beautiful.html).
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chris69
There were multiple armories in Buffalo. I think there was a total of 4.
The first is the 74th Regimental Armory (aka the Connecticutt Street Armory). http://www.andrle.com/vintage/views009.htm
The 2nd armory is across the street from City Honors (aka Fosdyk High School) and its called the Masten Armory. Queenseyes, it would be nice to get some pictures of the 65th Regimental Armory (aka Masten Armory) http://www.andrle.com/vintage/views007.htm
The 3rd is the 106th Field Artillery Armory, Buffalo, New York. http://www.andrle.com/vintage/views008.htm
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chris69
just found out that the 3rd armory was demolished....and it was truly as grand as the connecticutt street armory
another great loss for Buffalo but atleast the Masten Armory is still with us!
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Raphael
chris69 - I'm tired of your racist remarks that you attempt to shadow under naming streets. Tell me why we should have streets named Cary, Ellicott, Goodell, - weren't they white? Busti - nope in your book, he was a deigo. Martin Luther King Park - hell no to that trouble maker, eh Chris69?
You've hit me hard with the Puerto Rican Ghetto remark. This was an Italian Ghetto in the past. Afterall, they were considered the unwanteds back then. Now look at them. Land of opportunity? Only if you're a white boy like Chris69, in HIS eyes.
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chris69
the names you mentioned Raphael were founders of Buffalo that each in their own way contributed something profound to Buffalo. MLK was not a Buffalonian. I dont know the history of Busti so I cant comment.
and as far as the Irish, Polish and Italian Ghettos....well they came here and some still have yet to experience the first generation going to college.....when they came here they had to be sponsored and have proof of employment or they couldnt come PLUS when they immigrated there was no welfare, foodstamps, medicaid, affirmative action/diversity quotas. whatever they got they came here legally and they earned.
Immigrants today have a veritable fountain of money thrown at them from government and because of affirmative action and so called victimization their anti-american rants for how unfair they have it are moronic so please dont compare your immigration to previous generations. You dont know what past generations had to endure and as far as being white...go talk to southern whites before FDR electrified the south concerning poverty and hunger.
Thats what I hate about hyphenated americans ... they assume their the only one that have ever suffered and have no gratitude for the many support systems that are even extended to those who come here illegally.
NOW LET ME GET BACK TO MY IDEA TO QUEENSEYES AND THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY.
AS EVERYONE KNOWS BUFFALO IS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF TRADE AND LOGISTICS DESPERATELY SHORT OF WAREHOUSE SPACE.....WHICH FORCED ACQUEST TO BUY 2 MILLION SQFT OF SPACE IN ROCHESTER INSTEAD OF BUFFALO.
HERE IS AN IDEA AND A LOCATION.
IMAGINE OF 2 MILLION SQFT OF WAREHOUSE SPACE WAS BUILT ON THE SITE OF BUFFALO FORCE AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE WAREHOUSE WAS BUILT TO EMULATE THE DEMOLISHED 74TH STREET ARMORY. OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY GETS VALUABLE SPACE AND OUR PRESERVATION SOCIETY REGAINS A VALUABLE LOST ASSET.
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RisingDamp666
Why would Homeland Security need this armory? It's way too old and too cool to be wasted on the likes of them. They can build an appropriately antiseptic, tilt-up concrete armory somewhere else and relinquish this gem. Tonawanda would be an excellent choice for that: it's freeway-close and Peace Bridge-convenient.
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Raphael
"You dont know what past generations had to endure and as far as being white...go talk to southern whites before FDR electrified the south concerning poverty and hunger."
So, if you're white, you have every right to be caled an American due to your founding of this country? How about the Native Americans, Chris69? I guess since we stole their land, they are not American?
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Frankster
Not to mention that people of African descent were on this soil before the arrival of the Mayflower (1620), imported as slaves by the Jamestown settlement in 1619. So Africans have more claim to real American-ness than all of the patriots & puritans of New England.
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chiknlil
Please... stop the insanity people! This conversation is unproductive and serves to perpetuate bigotry and hatred. We don't need it and it has nothing to do with the Armory or the Peace Bridge.
The Connecticut Street armory is beautiful. You should put it on your places to visit list after the war in Iraq is over. I heard that they will start giving tours again when the national threat level is reduced, let's hope that this happens soon. If you do get the chance to tour, pay close attention to the finer details along the grand staircase and in the offices, they are magnificent. We would never consider using this type of craftsmanship and artistry in modern government construction. I believe that we should cherish this building as the national historic landmark that it is.
It is my understanding that the Masten Armory was more magnificent and grand than the Connecticut Street armory; however it was destroyed by fire in the 1930s. The same is true of Masten High School, now City Honors. Does anyone have information on this?
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chiknlil
On a related note... can we bring the Lizzard Ball back to the Connecticut Street Armory?
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Frankster
Chiknlil, it is insulting, almost immoral, to equate opposition to bigotry with perpetuating bigotry.
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chiknlil
Frankster- The claim that "we were here first" or "we are better than you" is counter-productive. No one person has any more claim to being "American" than any other group. If that insults you, then it insults you.
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Raphael
A PM from chris69 to me:
"hey you want to rename a street or park or bridge come up with $100,000 I know minorities and illegal aliens think they can get everything for free but in the real world its called naming rights and naming rights cost money! "
Okay, Timmy, some streets or parks are named after those who have contributed, not only to the immediate community, but to the global community. Their contributions have impacted many without borders.
Hey, here's a thought, why don't we rename the Broadway-Fillmore area after you, since you feel you contribute so much with your racist commentary?
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senorita
I'm sure that Higgins didn't find taking part of the Coast Guard land as a silly idea. The only silly ideas are the ones that are never posed. Tell me that the National Guard uses the finished part of the armory for anything. I'm sure that they don't.
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Frankster
Chiknlil--read my posts again. I've been refuting that very kind of "here first" thinking, because it is so much a part of Chris69's racism. He's the one saying that immigrantsare less American than everyone else. Unless he can trace his ancestry back to the Mayflower, it must really burn him that there are Black families who have been American way longer than his family has been.
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RisingDamp666
All I can say is we dare not retrace our forefathers' steps too carefully because " there's always one in the woodpile".
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chris69
chickenlil, Fosdyke High School had a fire but was rebuilt .... the only thing missing are the two towers and the Masten Armory is right across the street and I believe its referred to as the 106th Field Artillery Armory. The Masten Armory may have had a fire but it must have been rebuilt also.
the 74th is referred to as the Connecticut Street Armory
There were two other armories and they were demolished. One was the 65th Regiment that looked very similar to the 74th Connecticut Street Armory but it was on Elmwood and it was demolished. The other was up around Jefferson and that was demolished also but I dont have much information on that one.
Raphael is so filled with Che Guevera anti-american Castro hate I dont even choose to respond.
Frankster is attempting to say that Im implying that american purity comes from how long one can trace their lineage in this country which I dont recall ever saying or implying. I believe what I said was that previous waves of immigration came here legally, dealt with prejudice, had to prove their ability to work and support themselves. They did not come here illegally and then get welfare, foodstamps, healthcare, housing and live off the taxpayer while refusing to assimilate and professing to be anti-american. I dont know what bizarro universe you dwell in but your interpretation couldnt be further from reality but then disguising a losing argument with hate is an easy way to perpetuate sympathy and victimization for yet more affirmative action, more job quotas, more special laws and more taxpayer welfare....right!
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