On Tuesday, February 21, a Call To Action public meeting will be held at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church, to discuss problematic issues that have arisen on Elmwood Avenue, between Lexington and Summer. In recent months, there has been an escalating drug and crime problem, which has prompted a number of residents to call attention to the issue (learn more). The intention of this public meeting is not only discuss the issues at hand, it’s also to come up with timely and achievable solutions, mainly in regard to three target properties – Speedway Gas Station (corner of Lexington), The Elmwood Heights Apartments (corner of Lexington), and the 7-Eleven store (corner of Summer).
Since I initially wrote about this Call To Action public meeting, one somewhat-promising development has unfolded. A “Now Leasing” sign has been posted at the 7-Eleven location, which will hopefully result in a beneficial development… especially if the community plays a role by working with Benderson Development to identify a better use for the property moving forward. That better use could come in the form of a better tenant, an upgraded development, or even a sale.
One person that has been keeping a watchful eye on the 7-Eleven property is Bill Zimmermann, who will be speaking at Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’m going to address how what was known on Allen Street as the ‘crack flea market’ evolved away from Allen after covid closures and street construction, and moved to 7-Eleven at 304 Elmwood Avenue,” said Zimmermann. “I own an Allen Street building that has a tavern restaurant and I also own a house directly across from 7-Eleven which offers a personal-experience witness to this matter. Even though 7-Eleven is closing relatively soon, the nightly crack flea market works like clockwork at four a.m. every single day, with a dozen cars receiving window service from the dealers. Customers drive from all over, from Kenmore to South Buffalo, to buy their crack. The City directs all pleas to the police department, which adamantly directs all inquiries to the narcotics department, to their answering machine which never returns calls. It’s not in the interest of the police to head off or deter such activities, unless it is a response call to a shooting or stabbing. Their job isn’t to protect our property values, but maybe we can convince them to help protect our community values. The police know the Elmwood plight openly and fully, and refer to the fact that McDonald’s and Burger King on Main Street have their own nightly activities. 7-Eleven has refused to place a security guard in the store throughout the 17 years I have been pleading with them to do so. Our Elmwood Village needs to band together and take back our community. It’s going to take a village, for sure.”
While Zimmermann has been watching the craziness at 7-Eleven, another Emwood resident, Blake Walsh, has been focusing his attention on Elmwood Heights and Speedway. Neighbors are fed up with the police and ambulances making regular stops to the apartment building, and a drug dealer has set up shop in his car at the Speedway station. Even after hosting a meeting at The Place a while back, to meet with City officials, and draw attention to the issues, nothing has happened to deter the illicit crimes.
“It is time for the community and city leaders to come together to address and fix the long-standing issues of neglect that exist on Elmwood Avenue in the heart of the Elmwood Village,” said Walsh. “Our city’s celebrated pedestrian corridor is at a crossroads of care and investment.”
It was during a text conversation with Walsh, that he passed along the following photo…
The building is Elmwood Heights during its heyday. This image depicts such a proud structure, at a time when the owner obviously cared for it. Today it’s quite a different story, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t push for greatness once again. The good news is that it wasn’t demolished, or we would probably have a gas station or convenience store on that corner as well.
It’s time to hold those accountable who are attempting to bring Buffalo down, while profiting from the illicit scenarios that they allow to commence on their properties. Please consider attending this meeting, which addresses issues that affect the entire city of Buffalo.
Community meeting to bring to light the problematic issues of Elmwood Avenue, between Lexington and Summer.
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 21
6:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Lafayette Presbyterian Church
875 Elmwood Ave., 14222
WHO:
Elmwood Village Association and residents of Lexington Avenue block club attending, among other block clubs. Surrounding street residents encouraged to attend.