A year or so
ago I wrote a BRO story on a portion of University Heights that I took upon
myself to call “University Slope“. I did not have a very
extensive or very good set of photographs of the neighborhood at the time; now
that I do, I have put together this slideshow stroll through one of Buffalo’s
least known neighborhood treasures. This section of University Heights
occupies a triangular area at the north end of the city,
west of the UB Main Street Campus.
The streets
sweep up a gentle but dramatic (by Buffalo Standards) slope. The bell
tower of Hayes Hall on campus forms an elegant backdrop to many streets. In
recent years, University Heights has been painted with a broad brush as a place
with growing urban problems including crime, rowdy students, badly managed
absentee property, and poor city services. This neighborhood really does
not fit that stereotype, hence I gave it a new name.
What one
finds in this portion of the city is actually a picturesque enclave of streets
with well-kept (mostly owner occupied) houses. The streets wind and angle
in a complex weave as they fit into the triangle between Kenmore Avenue and
Main Street. You feel enveloped within this comfortable setting as you explore
its small blocks and mini parks lined, with comfortable houses mostly in
the homey craftsman style. You will even find a major Buffalo art
gallery (UB’s Anderson Gallery) here. The people who live here are
friendly and eager to brag about their hidden treasure. Check out the
slide show and see if you agree.
Music is by
Iron and Wine