For those of you who can’t make it to the weekly Common Council
meeting, following is the edited briefing. We included the topics
that relate to larger segments of the community. From this week’s
meeting as provided by the council, here is the summary:
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Council Members Michael Kearns, David Franczyk, and Curtis Haynes, Jr. approving the installation of a permanent historic marker in front of 168 Edward Street, the birthplace home of Frances Folsom Cleveland. Frances Folsom was a former First Lady of the United States of America and wife of former President Grover Cleveland and they were the only presidential couple to be married in the White House. Mrs. Cleveland was one of the most popular First Ladies in our nation’s history; women across the country copied her clothing choices, hairstyles and even the way she posed in formal photographs. The Council maintains that it is important to commemorate the rich history of the City of Buffalo and the historic marker will help to preserve and identify the City’s glorious past.
The Council appointed the following individual to the City of Buffalo Arts Commission: Ted Pietrzak
LICENSE AND PERMIT APPROVALS – Upon the recommendation of its Legislation Committee and the Department of Economic Development, Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:
Delaware District
Permit for an Outdoor Café: Subway Restaurant – A. Lojacono, owner of property located at 1518 Hertel Avenue
Ellicott District
Restaurant Dance Class IV License and Sidewalk Café License: Bayou located at 67 West Chippewa Street
Permit to Expand a Sidewalk Café: Betty’s – C. Simon, owner of property located at 364 Virginia Street
North District
Sidewalk Café License: Zetti’s Pizza & Pasta located at 976 Elmwood Avenue Permit to Expand Existing Restaurant: Sportsmen’s Tavern – D. Hall, owner of property located at 326 Amherst Street
CONTRACTS, CHANGE ORDERS & AGREEMENTS – The Council approved the following contract change orders submitted by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works (“DPW”):
The contract with Trautman Associates for the Marcy Casino North Façade and Plaza Reconstruction Project was increased by $3,000 for repairs to an existing staircase. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $46,030 and with this and prior changes will increase to $55,280.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning, the Council: Designated Greenleaf & Co., Inc. as the redeveloper of the vacant property located at 918 Main Street – Bosch Building. Greenleaf & Co., Inc. owns the adjacent property located at 916 Main Street and is proposing to use both properties to construct a mixed-use development with first floor commercial space and 13 apartment units. Total project costs are estimated at $9 million.
Authorized the modification to the contract between the City of Buffalo and Urban Strategies, Inc. (“USI”) in order to amend the contract budget and reimburse USI for services rendered beyond the scope of the original contract for the South Buffalo Brownfield Opportunity Area Project.
Authorized the addition of 23 Palos Place to the list of properties eligible to be homesteaded. Habitat for Humanity of Buffalo, Inc. will renovate the property for resale to a qualified buyer.
Photo caption: George Cleveland(left), grandson of former Mayor and President Grover Cleveland, with Council Member Demone Smith(center), and Council Member Curtis Haynes, Jr.(right).