By Joe Doherty
While strolling down Elmwood Avenue, one could take in an eyeful of countless treats and treasures belonging solely to this part of Buffalo.
There’s offbeat little shops like Myth and Magic; eclectic bars like Merlin’s; or simply the breathtaking beauty of the street’s 19th century architecture.
If people were to look even closer, they would notice the myriad number of earth-toned Forever Elmwoodbanners clinging to nearly every streetlight.
Making improvements—one step at a time
The group is currently working with the state to cement a deal that would dump $92,000 into the improvement of Elmwood’s aging facades. This “New York Main Street” grant will address the needs of properties smattered along two areas of the district: the west portion of the street between Forest Avenue and Bird Street, and the entire stretch between Bryant Street and West Utica.
“We told the state that these areas of our neighborhood need additional assistance,” said Justin A. Azzarella, executive director of Forever Elmwood. “Part of the grant will also involve making the properties more accessible to low-income individuals. For example, if an owner uses the money to improve a second floor for college housing, we’re going to make sure individuals like college students can actually afford it. It’s very important to us to keep that mix on the street that makes the area so special.”
The organization has poked the state on the subject for almost a year now. Azzarella says it won’t receive a dime until each individual project is ready to go and signed off by the state.
Building owners must give their approval before any renovations can be made to their properties.
“We’re getting some good leads now with the property owners,” Azzarella says. “ It’s kind of hard because sometimes they’ll be like, ‘I don’t care, I got my building, I like it the way it is.’ The challenge for us is getting them to speak with us and reassuring them it’s a good program for the community at large.
“It’s a matching grant program. So if the owner wants to put $30,000 into his property, we’d match that with another 30 of the state’s money.”
Each property, he estimates, will not receive that large of a sum, however. The numbers will be much smaller—about $10,000 per property. The State Historic Preservation Office must also approve each project before Forever Elmwood can receive any state funding.
“They’re very particular about how things are done, making sure it’s keeping up with the historic nature of the community, and with the individual buildings,” he said.
Elmwood Village Hotel: Friend or foe?
Not a single member of Forever Elmwood will say anything different about the construction of a four-story hotel on the corner of Elmwood and Forest.
They want it built.
Other area residents, however, dug in and loudly opposed the idea. A hotel would not only affect businesses and Elmwood residents, it will affect Buffalo State College students as well.
“I like the fact that small businesses like Mondo Videoare so close to campus,” says Gail Wells, director of Student Life. “I think independent stores offer students something large corporations cannot.”
Azzarella believes the hotel will assist businesses within proximity and provide visitors a chance to gaze at the city from a different vantage point.
“When my friends come to Buffalo I kind of cringe at the idea of them staying in Amherst or any suburb—that’s not Buffalo,” he says. “Buffalo is Chippewa. Buffalo is Elmwood.”
To respond to this article, e-mail Joe Doherty at dohejp91@mail.buffalostate.edu
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