I never knew that the Buffalo Garden Walk actually gives funding out to beautification efforts in the city. The funding effort has been going on for five years (as of this year). This year, seven groups and organizations were the beneficiaries of the Garden Walk funds. In order to qualify, each of the causes applied and the “award amounts were based on the overall project cost and the eligible projects were required to include matching funds from government, private contributions or volunteer sweat equity.” This year’s recipients are: -Albright-Knox Art Gallery (fountain garden project) -Allentown Association (hanging basket project) -Bird-Granger…
Author: Great Lakes United
“Under the overpass and through the woods, to Erie Basin Beach we go”… that’s pretty much what you would have to do if you followed the route laid out by past planners. But instead of following totally ridiculous, out-of-the-way route, people have created what is known as, ‘A Path Of Desire’ (or desire line). “That’s what we call these types of paths,” Tim Tielman told me. “You can see how worn the grass is there [pointing]… it’s worn because that’s where people choose to walk. Of course they are not going to stray away from the road and follow the…
While stopping into Chow Chocolate earlier today to check out their operation, I ran into Chris Jacobs, owner of Avalon Development. Chris was very excited about the opening of Chow Chocolate in his building and was also pleased to tell me that he had just landed a new tenant for his 723 Main Street project. 4000 sq.’ of the 5500 sq.’ building will be occupied by a company by the name of Avalon Copy Centers. This will be Avalon Copy’s first location in Buffalo – the company already has locations in Syracuse, Rochester and Utica. The company specializes in business…
It was pretty cool to have Marti Gorman as our guest on WBFO this past Monday. I figured that since the big push to get our friends and family back is taking place right now, there was no better person than Marti to talk about the event. Between now and June 26th there are going to be a variety of programs designs to make it easier for people to come back for a visit. Due to the high gas prices, Buffalo Homecoming organizers are working with an airline to offer flight discounts for that long weekend. Details on the flight…
Even though there are greener parking lots out there, I thought that this lot down at the intersection of Church, Delaware and The Skyway was one of the better ones that I have seen in Buffalo. The water from the lot actually drains into flower and plant beds adjacent to the lot. If you’ve ever talked to Riverkeeper Julie O’Neill, then you know that one of the biggest problems with our waterways is excessive drainage from roadways and parking lots. As the storm-water flows into the outdated sewer lines, the water capacity is exceeded and the combination of sewage and…
When I pulled up to Steel Crazy Café earlier today (corner of Allen and Elmwood), owner Ed Hogle pointed out to me that The City had just removed all of the meter heads on sections of Allen. I asked him if he was aware of a grassroots effort to keep the poles in place so that bike riders would have a place to lock up their rides. “Sure,” he answered. “Follow me. I have something to show you.” I followed Ed to his truck where he proceeded to pull out a metal ring with a buffalo featured inside. It turns…
One of my favorite things to see as I bike around the city is the addition of neighborhood pocket parks that continue to spring up. Here are a couple of my favorites. The one on top is found on Connecticut Street located next to Nancy Gabriel’s art studio. As a matter of fact, there is a really beautiful sculpture garden incorporated into the park, which makes it a very pleasant place to walk around. If you look closely you can see dozens of metal sculptures positioned along the stone walkway. There is also a whimsical fence found at the entrance…
Now that the city has its first dog park, people are wondering if that is a sign that more public places will become dog friendly. Or will dogs (and their owners) be denied access to places like the Erie Basin Marina (see photo). In Buffalo there are off leash areas, on leash areas, and no dog areas. Some dog owners seem to be fine with the current options, while others want to explore all of Buffalo with their canine friends. Do more places in the city need to reexamine the existing policies? Will dogs be welcome to visit the Commercial…
After sitting empty for one and a half years, 2000 sq,’ of the former 4000 sq.’ WitzEnd comedy club space will be back in working order. Scott Hartung will be the operator of what will soon be called Venue. Venue will be a martini and wine bar that will play off of the existing West Chippewa clientele. That block already has a number of draws, including Papaya and the Chocolate Bar, that have been successful in capturing an ‘older’ demographic… and Venue plans on building upon that scene. Scott plans on opening Venue for much longer hours than the traditional…
This past Saturday I happened upon professor Kevin Connors and his UB students completing the final stages on a West Side greenhouse. The greenhouse is being built for the Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP), in order for the organization to nurture seedling growth before being replanted into existing neighboring MAP-constructed soil beds. The project is in its final stages with only 5% left to go. “The last 5% is always the hardest,” Kevin told me. “And today we’re trying to beat the rain. The greenhouse is being built for MAP’s Growing Green Program… it’s being constructed of straw, wood, recycled pallets,…