Podcast: The Wadsworth Connection - Can you hear me now?
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After riding past this beautiful Victorian house (Wadsworth, St. John's Place, and Arlington Place) numerous times this summer I finally decided to pull over and see the restoration work that was being performed... and who was behind it. As I walked to the back of the house, I was greeted by homeowners Daniel Culross (architect with Wendel Duchscherer) and Holly Holdaway (music teacher and musician). They were in the middle of sawing wood for a back exterior stairway that had gone missing years earlier. The two were excited about their project, and they told me that their excitement had spread throughout the entire neighborhood. "There's a lot of big news going on around here," Daniel said. "We're not the only ones fixing up and investing on Wadsworth... there are a few investors working on the street." Even though the house needed a lot of work, you'll be shocked to hear what they bought it for.
Yesterday I decided to return to record their enthusiasm. The couple has a cool story to tell, and it's not over for a couple of reasons. First off, they're only halfway to completion, meaning that they still have a full year of work to do. Then they plan on continuing their work by implementing a number of ongoing projects. One of the projects that they would like to see come to fruition is the addition of at least one stop sign on Wadsworth. "It's like a freeway," they told me. "The neighborhood is doing its part and now we're asking The City to do its part. Is it too much to ask to slow down traffic on Wadsworth... a connection between the Kleinhans Community and Allentown?
This house already looks far better than it did just a year ago. It's being transformed from a rooming house back to its roots. Daniel and Holly are excited to be so close to Kleinhans Music Hall, and First Presbyterian Church (next door). With the reclamation of Day's Park a few years back, and Mark Goldman's Hardware Restaurant nearby (among a myriad of other great eateries), they could not have picked a better time to snag this property.
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Comment Options
SignWizard
The place is coming along great. Dan and Holly have been busting their tails fixing up this tarnished gem.
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Hodge_Podge_Ave
Great job on the restoration of this house! Are they planning on moving in when finished or selling? Also, I've always wondered what is the story behind the small door on the front of the third floor? Was there a porch there, I can't imagine that is the case if it was a servants quarters...
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chris69
I love it but I dont like white on brick....brick definitely needs earthtones.
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RisingDamp666
....And lose the strip of grass.
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mycrows
A beautiful house in a beautiful neighborhood.
I feel like Wadsworth already functions as a great "gateway to Allentown"--does everyone else really consider it a "thoroughfare"? I ride my bike on it without a problem. It doesn't seem like cars ever get going really fast, and there's not much traffic on it anyway. The stop sign where it meets Allen helps a lot, without that I can see it might be a problem. The wide sidewalks seem to end at the right place. More curb cuts could do some good, for sure, but I feel pretty good about the state of Wadsworth today.
Where would we put in another stop sign? At the intersection of St Johns and Arlington Pk? Would that be beneficial? It might be, I'm just curious what others think.
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sbrof
I saw them out there today working on the back stairs. It looks great! I walked by this home several times a day to and from my apartment and the subway station wondering what would ever happen to it. Back then it had several missing porches. Great job and keep up the work. More people that you probably realize enjoy its rebirth.
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jstraubinger
This is a great story. I just read about the trials of Mr. Curloss' Wadsworth Street improvement project and the city's difficulties in responding to it in the latest Allentown Neighbor. There seems to be an endless amount of positive activity and energy working its way through Buffalo now. The past few weeks have been filed with positive development news in Buffalo, even if you're against the Casino like myself or in favor of it. The best part of this energy is that it comes directly from the hearts and minds of Buffalo residents, not Buffalo Politicians. Such energy brings pride and a growing belief that Buffalo is finally on the right path again. I know there are still many problems with jobs and population loss that could ultimately deal Buffalo some very serious blows. However, there is no longer a malaise of spirit, and if you're an expat like me who loves his hometown, pays close attention to what goes on there and plans to return soon, the change in spirit is what will bring me and others back.
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sbrof
Where there's a will there's a way!!
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pgf1948
Wonderful. Bravo!
Yes, the contrast of white and brick is a bit harsh. Maybe it's just primer.
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Andrew
Stories like this put me in a great mood. It will be my turn some day...
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Jefferson
Looks great. White paint trim with brick is very common in England. I would guess that there was a porch off the third floor or else it was a death walk of sorts for bad kids.
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djcoolhaus
Some responses to great comments: Yes, the white paint is going to be returned to more unique, earth and jewel tones that were there originally and work better with the orange brick,terra cotta, and Medina Sandstone. The white paint was added by previous owners. All of the white paint should be removed and repainted by the spring, leaving a fresh, new look and more accent to the intricate gables and dormer detailing. The thrid floor door was to a former fire escape that was removed by previous owners as well. We are adding back an exterior stair on the back where it originally was. The grass strip in front will also be planted with perrenials and flowers - no more lawn mowing! Wadsworth Street is very busy, with a lot of traffic leaving and entering the residential streets surrounding the area. Too many vehicles speeding well over the limit have already done damage to our planters, sidewalk, and lights. People ned to feel safe walking and riding together with traffic. Lastly, the plan is to restore the house to a single family residence, but with all of the space, our long term plans have started to turn towards other ways to allow us to utilize the generous sqaure footage, while remaining in the house, without doing more damage to the historical components.
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Dakovich
i personally saw one of your planters get destroyed earlier in the year. we were traveling down Allen from the Circle toward Hardware and had stopped at what was then a stop sign on the corner of your street and Allen. some jackass didn't see us stop and swerved to miss hitting us, went over the curb onto the sidewalk and just blasted one of your planters. people just drive way to crazy over there. sorry now that i didn't get the guys plates and file a report for you.
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magmillion
Hello Holly & Daniel! How great that this article & podcast are about you and your dream project. You are certainly the most perfect example of what Buffalo needs more of. You inspire many people and definitely me (us)!!! We are your next door neighbors and we want to tell all the readers that not only are you hardworking, talented, and amazing in your vision, but you are also THE MOST FABULOUS NEIGHBORS ANYONE COULD EVER WISH FOR! Your energy is formidable and your spirits warm! We are so fortunate to live next door to you! What is amazing about you both is that even with all the work you have before you with the restoration of your wonderful old home, you still have found time to be kind and helpful to us as neighbors on so many occasions. Allentown would not be the same without you! We certainly would not be the same without you. We love you and appreciate you! And toast and cheer you too! Your Neighbors Next Door
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tommyBluez
Congratulations on your new home and future beautiful home!!!
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