I do believe
that Buffalo has changed for the better over the last few years, but sometimes
this city can really challenge my optimism. Since Part 1 of this
series, I wrote a piece criticizing the image of Buffalo as presented in the
recent novel by Greg Ames titled “Buffalo Lockjaw”. There have also
been a flurry of Buffalo “image” stories on WNYMedia.net that bring up
legitimate questions about Buffalo’s economy and image. One unfortunately
included a trashy video that seems to have no point except to say that Buffalo
sucks beyond all reason and always will.
Though I
disagree with Greg Ames’ presentation of the city and the aforementioned video, I can’t exactly refute everything being said. There are things about Buffalo
that really suck! And the maddening part is that these things don’t need
to suck. A few weeks ago I was walking around Allentown and really started
to get down on Buffalo. Everywhere I looked, I found a city that seemed to
lack pride in itself. Now, to be fair, every single northern city looks
like hell in the dead of winter when everything is gray and dirty. Winter
without a fresh coat of snow is a worthless season, period. That said, Buffalo seems to go the extra mile in magnifying winter crappiness.
The black
and white image included here shows one of the beautiful Delaware Avenue row houses
that make up the block called the Midway (midway between Niagara Sq. and North
Ave.).
The picture was taken just a few years ago. At that time, the
building was in great condition with all of its delicate detail still intact. Today, as you can see from these recent images, the detail is rotting away due to
neglect. WHY IS THIS BUILDING BEING NEGLECTED!? This is prime
property!
There is no
excuse for this kind of deterioration at this location. This building, as
well as this entire neighborhood, is a national historic treasure. But
Buffalo does not treat it as such. To Buffalo, this building and much of
Allentown (not to mention the rest of the historic irreplaceable city) is
nothing more than a commodity. Use it up, and throw it away! If
this building is lost, it can never be replaced. Just a half a block away, there is
a vacant lot at the end of this row. The building that once stood there
had a minor fire and was torn down about 20 years ago. It has been a dead and
embarrassing parking lot ever since. Will this building eventually be
replaced by a gap-tooth vacant lot? Oh goody, more parking!
As I walked
around Allentown (and the city in general) I saw many signs of crumminess that
I can only ascribe to lack of pride and professionalism. And some of these things would
be so easy to fix. Dirty store windows are common. The sidewalks
along Allen look like they have not been swept – EVER. As a storeowner, I
would be out there every day, sweeping the sidewalk! Has Buffalo been
programmed, after decades of decline, to accept third-rate as a normal status?
Why can a prime piece of historic property be allowed to rot on Buffalo’s
premiere street without ANY embarrassment to the owner and neighborhood? Folks,
decay is not a normally accepted building management practice. Why can’t you
sweep in front of your f’ing store?
I believe
that Buffalo has changed, mainly because of a few individuals who have bucked
this ingrained acceptance of decay and negativity that has been smothering
Buffalo for generations. But these people are still few, and they have limited
tools at their disposal to work with in a highly dysfunctional state. Until
the mindset of the whole says that rotting buildings are not acceptable, Buffalo
will never change its image in the national psyche. Sweep the sidewalk as a
starting point.
Anyway, the
sun came out by the end of my walk, and the city started to look wonderful
again. Next up – Buffalo’s most beautiful storefront.
[Author Amendment: I have heard from two sources that the owner of this featured row house on Delaware Avenue purchased it about 1 ½ years ago for over $400,000 and has made extensive upgrades to the interior, roof, and mechanical systems. I have also been told that he owns a business in Allentown and is active in the community. He reportedly has plans to restore the exterior and has some of the missing details safely stored for restoration and replication. This is great news and perhaps is evidence of the new direction that Buffalo is possibly following back up the ladder. I apologize for singling out his property. Seeing it in its current state was really distressing to me. Knowing that it is in good hands is a great relief! If we can get in contact with the owner I will try to do another story on this building. Maybe the owner will share a glimps of the interior?]