What happens when three people, all from different fields, randomly meet and form a unique bond through their passion for a specific area in Buffalo? They form an organization dedicated to spreading good news about that area, while cross-promoting various events through Broadway Fillmore Alive (BFA).
Michele Johnson, Christopher Byrd, and Michael Miller are the serendipitous participants of fate. Johnson works as a housing court liaison, Byrd works closely with the Broadway Market, and Miller has been with the Central Terminal for five years, four as a board member. Apart, they excel at their individual jobs, but together they form an original coalition of the determined. Their common goal is to see the Broadway/Fillmore area thrive and to promote the good qualities the area still exudes.
“We all have the same feeling about the area. It can only go up from here and a lot of positive things are happening,” says Johnson.
One of the projects BFA is involved with is the renovation of the Eckhardt Building. BFA’s founders took this building under their wing and have made it their goal to see it become prosperous again. The attention they garnered has brought several prospective buyers into the pool, and though no buyer has taken action yet, they remain hopeful.
Though the Eckhardt Building is special to the trio, it is only a piece of the larger project they are working on. BFA has compiled a catalog of 479 derelict buildings documenting each one with care. Through Johnson’s work in housing court she is able to find which buildings will be demolished, and the trio can visit the property to assess whether or not it qualifies for demolition.
“Our main goal is that anything that doesn’t need to be demolished is saved,” says Miller. Some of BFA’s future plans may include a summer tour of homes, “just to let people know they are there and what shape they are in,” explains Johnson. The homes are worthy of being showcased and many are irreplaceable–especially many of the churches.
“If they have any historic significance, we really try to put it on the radar,” says Johnson. She adds, “I can’t think of any other area in Buffalo that has such amazing churches in close proximity.”
One of the ways BFA gains exposure and attention is through their website at www.broadwayfillmorealive.org, of which Byrd is the “guru”. Byrd explains, “We decided to start promoting the neighborhood in a positive manner. We’ve really grown between 300-500 people a day.”
Their website has been such a success, that BFA is considering putting out a newsletter. The founders would have to raise the funds first, since their funding currently comes from their own pockets. The newsletter, according to Johnson, could be instrumental in the area because many people do not have computers in the area.
“It wouldn’t be anything huge, but it would allow readers without Internet access to know what’s going on in the neighborhood,” explains Johnson. To date, the founders have brought many people together through promoting events at their individual locales and through their involvement with different neighborhood groups. Miller explains that they try their best to remain in touch with members of the community, who then try to spread information about events throughout the area.
“That’s basically what we try to do…is be facilitators,” says Miller.
Byrd says that they try to get people in the area to “think collectively as opposed to doing their own thing. We’ve really helped partner organizations up and partner people.”
All of the founders know the negative attitude that haunts the East Side and are determined to overcome it. As Johnson says, “It is alive. There’s a lot of good happening but people always hear bad things about the East Side and that’s all they focus on.”
BFA is trying its best to change that perpetually negative view by showing that the area has merit and should be developed. Their dedication to the area shines through their individual and collective work.
“It’s rough, and it’s not easy to get things done…but we’re very committed. We have no illusions about things,” says Byrd.
Pictured: Christopher Byrd and Mike Miller. Michele Johnson was not present for the photograph.
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