Slideshow of East Side Landmarks

[mmiller]

Here's a slideshow I did of some of the beautiful buildings in the Broadway Fillmore district this past weekend:

http://broadwayfillmorealive.org/media/give.wmv

Some of these buildings are thriving, while others need preservation or tenants, but all of them are beautiful! There is so much ethnic heritage past, present and future on the east side. We should treasure it as other cities do!

[rob on the job]

Nice job, Mike.

It's hard to believe some of those buildings are vacant. And it's amazing how many have been taken over by ethnic groups.

Who wrote the text? It was poignant.

[Norwoodsrevenge]

Who wrote the text? It was poignant.

For sure Rob! I love that section of Buffalo, my maternal Grandparents grew up in that area. It has so much meaning to me and not just because of my Polish heritage. From the stories of my grandparents to going to the Broadway Market as a child, I hope that area returns to it's glory. Thanks, mmiller!

[mmiller]

I wrote the text. It literally took me all weekend to write, photograph, pick the right song and assemble as a slideshow. Chris Byrd put the song I chose to it and managed to do a perfect job of matching the timing of the lyrics to some of the most poignant slides ("give a little bit of your love to me" right when the deserted Transfiguration church appears). Except for the loss of resolution on some of the photos, I'm very happy with it! I'm glad you guys enjoyed it. There will be many more this summer.

[mmiller]

I'm also featuring some of the incredible artistry and architectural detail on some of the buildings in the slideshow that's not easily detected. To check it out further, please visit www.broadwayfillmorealive.org.

[twosheds]

Great slideshow! The "Supertramp" version of "Give a little bit" would have been better, though. :)

[mmiller]

I prefer the Supertramp version also! The reason I picked the Goos is that Johnny Rzeznik (lead singer) is from Broadway Fillmore area (grew up on Clark and Kent Sts. near the terminal). It would have been sacreligious for me NOT to have chosen them. Plus, I really don't like many of their other songs... ;)

[mmiller]

PS - Love the vintage King Crimson artwork, Twosheds!

[Billsman]

CLAP CLAP CLAP Nice job Mike! Can't believe all the hard work you have done for the Buffalo area, I for one am proud to know a person like you!

Keep up the great work!!

[mmiller]

I love my city... I just wish everyone did!

[THATHURMANATOR]

great work Mike!

[HURLS]

Nice work. It's a shame I recognize some of those from my seedier days.

[THATHURMANATOR]

What happened to my sig Hurls?

[HURLS]

I didn't steal it. :dunno:

[wolfpack]

nice

[35Pete]

There are indeed some beautiful and historic landmarks in that slide show.

Buildings that should be preserved and are priceless assets.

But seriously, at least a 1/3 of them could use one of these....

http://www.digitaldreammachine.com/blogimages/ddm/Deere950cBulldozerPhoto02.jpg

[35Pete]

This is a beautiful landmark.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/35Pete/nice_bldg.jpg

This should be razed to the ground and have a KFC built in it's place.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/35Pete/ugly_bldg.jpg

[jheigl]

Honestly, half the reason Buffalo is as dead as it is, is because of people who wanted to keep these buildings to 'preserve our heritage'. All the uproar about saving the grain elevators and stuff is just another road block to the progress and revolution of Buffalo. We need to realize that in order to move forward, you have to let go of what is in the past, especially these old, rundown buildings. Who in their right mind would want to purchase these buildings and renovate them to the standards of today? Nobody. That is why they have to go. Very nice slideshow though. Good job. Now let's move forward Buffalo, apparently starting with the grain elevators and the Aud, hopefully every other abandoned building downtown.

[Gibby]

I know, I know I am not from Western NY so I don't know the historic value of many of those buildings but I only saw about 9 buildings that I would keep.

[Gibby]

From the slide show, in addition to buildings currently in use

I would keep:

the Train Terminal (495 Paderewski Dr.)
The Transfiguration Church
The People's Bank of Buffalo (904 Broadway)

I would tear down the vacant buildings of 239-241 Lombard Street, The former Liberty Bank at 892 Genesee, 950 Broadway (formerly Eckhardt's Dept. Store), 900 Genesee.

[35Pete]

I know, I know I am not from Western NY so I don't know the historic value of many of those buildings but I only saw about 9 buildings that I would keep.

Welcome to the "Revive Buffalo" mentality.

[coastal]

great job and awesome creation.

[35Pete]

I liked it too all in all. But there were a few buildings whose time has past. If someone knocked down that train terminal or church I'd want to clock them. But some of those condemned buildings need to go.

[twosheds]

This should be razed to the ground and have a KFC built in it's place.

KFC - fine.
Waffle house - bad?

Most of these buildings could be renovated and made into office space with flair. I wouldn't miss two or three of these buildings, but most of them give the city a character that other cities don't have.

There are hundreds of other locations in the city where a KFC could be built, really.

Now, a big technology part at the outskirts of the city - that would help.

[35Pete]

KFC - fine.
Waffle house - bad?

Most of these buildings could be renovated and made into office space with flair. I wouldn't miss two or three of these buildings, but most of them give the city a character that other cities don't have.

There are hundreds of other locations in the city where a KFC could be built, really.

Now, a big technology part at the outskirts of the city - that would help.

The KFC was sarcasm for how far gone some of those buildings are. I agree that there are many that can be restored. In fact, many that were not shown in the slide show. Like, what nutcase would demolish the Statler Bldg?

My point is that not every old building is worth saving. And a blend of historical and modernity would be the best thing for Buffalo. Because right now the city looks like a dump.

[twosheds]

My point is that not every old building is worth saving. And a blend of historical and modernity would be the best thing for Buffalo. Because right now the city looks like a dump.

Agreed, but zoning is also important. A lone skyscraper doesn't look good between historical buildings.

[35Pete]

Agreed, but zoning is also important. A lone skyscraper doesn't look good between historical buildings.

Absolutely. The modern section of Buffalo (near the HSBC building) should be modernized. The turn of the century section should be revamped, not torn down.

The old ugly buildings should be demolished and any new architecture should blend in with the existing style. "Throwback" construction so to speak.

Miller's slide show showed some incredible and priceless masterpieces that are irreplaceable. Don't let them fall to pieces.

Without those buildings Buffalo loses it's historic identity. But some of the old buildings are so beat up that they need to come down.

If the other's aren't taken care of then they'll have to meet the same fate.

[35Pete]

BTW Miller. Thanks for the slide show.

Yeah, I thought a few buildings were ugly, but that was a nice piece of work.

How's the restoration of the train terminal coming along?

[pabstman]

The KFC was sarcasm for how far gone some of those buildings are. I agree that there are many that can be restored. In fact, many that were not shown in the slide show. Like, what nutcase would demolish the Statler Bldg?

My point is that not every old building is worth saving. And a blend of historical and modernity would be the best thing for Buffalo. Because right now the city looks like a dump.

Totally agree Pete. I was living in Pittsburgh in the early 90's and they mayor had a good line in response to some of the historical society's demands. He basically told them that just because a building is old dosn't make it historic. I'm all for perserving history, in fact I'm the president of a historical builiding in Charlotte NC, but some of the buildings are just old and need to go to Buffalo can grow.

[pabstman]

By the way good job MM.

[Gibby]

By the way good job MM.

Aye, it was a good vid.

[mmiller]

This thread lost momentum last year and I haven't checked it lately, so I apologize.

I agree that not all old buildings can or need to be saved. We have to have a preservation plan and we don't currently.

The buildings in the slideshow are all beautiful, to me. Since last year, 900 Genesee was bought and renovated by Rev. Kenyatta Cobb. You can read more about it here: http://fixbuffalo.blogspot.com/2006/09/more-on-900-genesee.html

We're making steady progress at the terminal. The restaurant area was reopened to the public in April. We're currently in talks with Bashar Issa, who has expressed interest in the project. We're midway through another busy summer event season and we're bigger than ever! Our 2nd annual car show is this Saturday.

All in all, I'd say we're having our best year ever! We're celebrating our 10th anniversary as an organization next month. That alone is nothing short of a miracle, when you consider the scope and size of this undertaking.

[SchonyGal]

Great job Mike!
I was saddened to see the August 2nd cover of ArtVoice depicting the interior of Transfiguration church (also at fixbuffalo.blogspot.com) Would you happen to know when the car wash (on Broadway) that the Goo Goo Dolls used on their first cover was razed?
http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/amg/pop_albums/5/2/5/c5253188t5d.jpg

[mmiller]

Thanks, Schonygal!

No, I'm not sure, but I'll check around. Transfiguration's current state is a crime. I hope that St. Adalbert's doesn't suffer a similar fate now that its closing too.

[Billsman]

Been a while MM, how are ya?

[mmiller]

Good Rick, how are you?

[Billsman]

Great Mike, thanks. Moving back to WNY, a 2nd time in 2-3 more weeks. Long story, I'll explain when I meet up with you at a upcoming function.

Do you have any scheduled dates? As always, we're glad to help.

[wagoncircler]

Awesome slide show MM!

I can't believe I never noticed it until now.

I'd like to nominate two other great East Side buildings. Kensington and Masten High Scools.

http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/suffolk/319/image/04.jpg http://www.cityhonors.org/files/1_2_1/images/History/001.jpg

[mmiller]

I'm with you on those 2 schools... Kensington is an art deco masterpiece!

[jlpubarch]

You guys been to places like central and northern Florida, or the Carolinas, or pretty much anywhere between the North-East and California?

Not much culture, architectural heritage or anything.

Bunch of chain restaurants, with Dry-Vit cornices (for those of you that don't know, those terrible looking 'details' on chain stores and restaurants are made out of painted foam)

The East Side was awesome when it was still Polish and German...now the only hardcore areas of those descent are in Kaisertown and Lovejoy.

I mean, if a building is falling down, you have to demo it, but look at the Central Terminal...people wanted that brought down, now it hosts several annual celebrations, is improving by the year, and may be re-opened if that English investor guy moves into Buffalo.

[jlpubarch]

Agreed, but zoning is also important. A lone skyscraper doesn't look good between historical buildings.

Ever been to NYC?

I could walk 30 secs from my work in Midtown and take pictures of 40 story buildings with 5-6 story converted row-houses on either side.

Its all about being genuine.

The second Buffalo starts letting suburban dry-vit crap get built downtown, you'll know there's a problem.