KCA ANNUAL HOLIDAY SOCIAL TO BE HELD ON MONDAY DECEMBER 15, 2008
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Our neighborhood holiday tradition, the KCA holiday social, will be a "pot luck" affair. Soft drinks (as always, no alcohol, please), plates, cups, etc. will be provided. Please bring your favorite dish to share. The event will take place from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM at the First Presbyterian Church (in the "Blue Room"), One Symphony Circle. This is a wonderful event and is a good opportunity to meet your neighbors and discuss neighborhood common interests in a friendly, relaxed environment. The KCA will also bring pizza to the event. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you!

Visitors to the area enjoyed hearing neighborhood ghost stories.

TALES FROM THE KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD CRYPT
TWILIGHT WALKING TOUR HELD FRI. 10/24 & SAT. 10/25
TO BENEFIT HEART OF THE CITY NEIGHBORHOODS, INC.
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The Addams Family. Black cats wandering the streets. A full moon casting an eerie light on the turrets and gargoyles of a dark mansion. Ghosts of former cemeteries rising up to haunt the houses built atop their gravesites. October and Halloween bring thoughts of the supernatural to mind. This year, the Kleinhans Community Association sponsored two walking tours that celebrated the season while at the same time benefitting the fine work that Heart of the City Neighborhoods has done to revitalize one of Buffalo’s most vibrant and diverse communities.

For many people, the mention of the phrase haunted house, conjures images of an abandoned Victorian mansion whose occupants linger long after their demise. “The Kleinhans community is a perfect backdrop to the supernatural stories and folklore that have developed over the neighborhood’s 150-year history,” Association president Christopher N. Brown says.

On Fri. Oct. 24 and Sat. Oct. 25, about 50 people took a spooky walk through the Kleinhans neighborhood and saw the sites where ghostly tales have been passed down for generations... tour attendees were led on the tour by a guide (with a candle-lantern to light the way) who revealed the macabre sites. See where there was once a cemetery - now abandoned, yet some bodies still remain... see where the ghosts of the old Fargo mansion are said to still roam... hear tales of angered ghosts who seek vengeance against those who desecrated their graves… and of the War of 1812 soldier who roams the neighborhood looking for his stolen skull... and many more! The old houses of the Kleinhans neighborhood have seen many funerals cross through their “casket doors,” and at dusk the houses take on a haunted ambiance. Be sure to bring a flashlight and your courage... being so close to Halloween and El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), who knows if one of the ghosts will make an appearance!

The tour began at Heart of the City Neighborhoods, 42 Plymouth Ave. HCN had yummy treats for tour-attendees. The tour raised over $400 for HCN's programs and brought many people into the neighborhood who have never been here before.

The Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association (Gail & Patricia Graham, Andy Goldstein and Jim Messina) had fresh-baked cookies, cider and information about the Fargo Estate available at Gail's Jersey Street home.

Special thanks to Gretchan Grobe, Chris Hawley and David Granville who were "ghosts" on the tour... and to Joe Gerace who provided costumes and props and to all the homeowners who welcomed groups onto their porches!

For the tour website, click here .

Chris Brown, Beth Kauffman, Dottie Costisick, Mary Ann Cassidy,
Willow Greene and Jeff Kruszka (L-R),
plant a tree in front of 331 Hudson Street

NOVEMBER 8, 2008 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING A HUGE SUCCESS
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The Kleinhans Community Association joined forces with the Allentown Association and Heart of the City Neighborhoods to plant trees throughout Allentown and the Lower West Side. Over 100 volunteers from the community helped to plant 68 trees, provided by Re-Tree WNY, using the "bare root" method.

With planning, collaboration, and of course lots of community muscle, 68 trees were planted in just a few hours.
Special thanks to the planning committee: Chris Brown, Ted Constantine, Walter Constantine, Daniel Culross, Susan Peters, Wayne Parry and Stephanie J. Simeon. and the many volunteers.

David Granville, Paula, Dottie Costisick, Charles, Chris Brown and Jeff Kruszka (L-R),
plant a tree in front of 49 Plymouth Avenue.

The locations within the KCA boundaries were as follows:

• Hudson St.
  • 295, Dogwood
  • 297, Indian rubber
  • 331, Cherry
  • 375, Dogwood
• Orton Pl.
  • 49, Serviceberry
• Pennsylvania St.
  • 278, Crabapple
  • 293, Oak
  • 302, Honeylocust
  • 303, Red Chestnut
  • 310, Red Chestnut
  • 313, Ginkgo
• Plymouth Ave.
  • 49, Cherry
  • 50, Red Chestnut
  • 54, Hackberry
• St. Johns Pl.
  • 28, Red Chestnut
• Wadsworth St.
  • Four Red Chestnut trees along Grace Manor

Porter Avenue will be reconstructed as an Olmsted Parkway in 2009.

PORTER AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION
PLANNED FOR 2009
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The City of Buffalo will be implementing major improvements to Porter Avenue between Niagara Street and Symphony Circle in 2009. The project which is being overseen by the City of Buffalo’s Department of Public Works, has contracted Watts Architecture & Engineering to prepare the design and associated studies for the reconstruction. This is a federal-aid project, requested by the Mayor’s Office and Niagara District Councilman.

The project’s goal is to restore look of Porter Avenue as historic Olmsted parkway as much as possible.

The scope of the work is expected to include:

• a mill-and-inlay of the pavement (not full-depth reconstruction),
• replacement of the sidewalks, curbs, hydrants,
• drainage structures, and
• lighting.

It is expected that there will be crosswalks at major intersections; the intersection of Porter/Jersey/Normal is particularly dangerous. The newly constructed roadway will include one lane for cars, a bike path, and parking on both sides of street

The Olmsted Conservancy, who is participating in the Porter Avenue reconstruction, would like to see a uniform parkway from Niagara St. to Symphony Circle.&nbs p; The parkway "right of way" includes sidewalks, the grassy area from sidewalk to curb line and a few feet of what people consider their "front lawn." Design elements that the Conservancy believes are inappropriate in lawn area include (but not limited to): privet hedges, fencing, etc.

The project team also includes representatives from Wendell Duscherer, who is also reconstructing Porter Avenue from the I-190 Thruway to the Niagara River/LaSalle Park. The team hopes to have a public information meeting in November, finish the design in April 2009, and begin construction in July 2009 with completion 4-5 months later.

Several residents have already voiced a few concerns:

1. Any unique plantings (gardens, etc.) between sidewalk and curb will be disturbed in construction phase.
2. Consideration will be given to Kleinhans Music Hall ingress/egress impact;
3. Consideration will be given to the dangerous intersection of Porter/Jersey/Normal
4. Serious consideration should be given to retaining the original slate sidewalk found in the proposed change area;
5. Retention of the brick gutter alongside the curb in the roadway, a distinctive feature of Porter Avenue.

Daniel Culross stands next to "Welcome to Allentown" sign on Porter Avenue near Normal Ave.

AMID CONTROVERY, THE "WELCOME TO ALLENTOWN"
SIGN IS INSTALLED ON PORTER AVENUE
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A new "Welcome to Allentown" sign has been installed on Porter Avenue near Normal Avenue. The sign, paid for through a grant applied for by the Allentown Association and funded by the Mayor's Livable Community Grant, was originally intended to be installed on the corner of Pennsylvania and Wadsworth Streets. Opposition by the Buffalo Preservation Board led to the sign being installed on Porter Avenue. Daniel Culross, Chair of the Wadsworth Street Beautification Committee, worked hard with the City, the sign vendor, the Buffalo Preservation Board and the Allentown Association to ensure that the sign was successfully installed. Great job, Daniel!

Residents believe that the unusual intersection
at Hudson St./Cottage St./Plymouth Ave. is dangerous.

KCA ASKS CITY FOR HELP WITH TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
ON PLYMOUTH AVENUE AND HUDSON STREET
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The KCA has requested Commissioner of Public Works Stepniak to review changes in traffic controls on Hudson Street and/or Plymouth Avenue between Hudson and Pennsylvania Streets.

On October 3, 2007 a request to change the first block of Plymouth Avenue due to concerns for safety was made.

In response, the KCA received a letter from the City of Buffalo dated Feb. 6, 2008 that stated “the roadway features at this intersection have been the same for years without any problems.”

The KCA circulated a petition, signed by a number of residents who respectfully disagreed with the City’s initial assessment.

Sadly, in July 2008, the new owner-occupant of Heart of the City Neighborhoods’ latest housing renovation-resale program at 23 Plymouth Avenue became the latest victim of the out-of-control traffic that occurs on the street when a car parked at 23 Plymouth was damaged in a hit-and-run accident.

The safety issues surrounding the Hudson St./Plymouth Ave. intersection warrant another assessment from the City of Buffalo:

• Hudson Street has two through streets intersecting it (Prospect Avenue, West Avenue) and six streets (Tenth Street, Whitney Street, Cottage Street, Orton Place, Fargo Avenue, Plymouth Avenue) that either begin or terminate at Hudson. Stop signs are inconsistently placed at these intersections, causing confusion for drivers.
  
  
• This problem is real and poses a danger to residents. While the problem occurs on an irregular basis, it is common knowledge that drivers take the corner of Hudson/Plymouth with reckless abandon. If left unchecked, it will hinder the continued momentum of housing renovation and economic development that is taking place on the first block of Plymouth Avenue.

The design of Plymouth Avenue and Hudson Street, along with the existing traffic conditions present a clear danger to residents. If changes in the design of the street or revisions to traffic controls are made, we believe this danger can be mitigated.

In an attempt to show the full scope of the problem, the KCA are also capturing the traffic problem in a video, which will address the sporadic nature of the issue. If an observer is at the Hudson St./Plymouth Ave. intersection for only ten or twenty minutes, they may miss the problem; however for residents who live there full-time, the danger is known and real.

The present traffic conditions are not just a danger to property, but also to the many children who live on the block of Plymouth Avenue between Hudson and Pennsylvania Streets. We believe that the problem can be rectified with a change in the design as suggested in our proposed changes. The cost for several of these is minimal.

The KCA has requested a meeting with City of Buffalo officials to review the problem and proposed changes.

SCHOOL 36 CLOSING ANNOUNCED FOR JUNE 2009
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School 36 , which has a presence on Days Park, Cottage Street and Hudson Street is scheduled to be closed in 2009. It was originally scheduled to be closed in 2008, but that closing was delayed due to construction delays to the school that will be replacing it on Elmwood Ave.

Deb Ellis, Days Park resident and Allentown Association board member, will be heading up the School 36 Committee, whose function will be to provide community input and oversight over the future of the site/building.

Several developers have expressed interest in converting the site to condominiums and/or town houses.

If you are interested in participating in this committee, please call Chris at 884-1914.

306 Hudson is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but changes
not reviewed by the Buffalo Preservation Board.

293, 295 and 306 HUDSON STREET BEING PURSUED
FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS
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In 1978, the City of Buffalo made the Allentown Historic Preservation District a local landmark district. In 1980, a portion of the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Geographically, the local district was larger than the National Register district. Nearly all the properties that were listed on the National Register were also protected under the local landmark code and therefore under the auspices of the Buffalo Preservation Board.

However, there are three properties (293, 295 and 306 Hudson St.) that are listed on the Allentown National Register Historic Preservation District but not included in the Allentown local Historic Preservation District that was created two years earlier.

An application to the Buffalo Preservation Board seeks to correct the discrepancy that was created nearly 30 years ago. The approval of this application is very important because it will help to protect and steer future renovations and development in a way that respects the architectural integrity of these properties.

In addition, from an urban planning perspective, these properties are significant not just historically and architecturally, but also because of their site location. Two of the properties are located on street corners: 295 Hudson Street is located on the corner of Hudson Street at Cottage Street while 306 Hudson Street is located on the corner of Hudson Street at Plymouth Avenue.

The designation of local landmark will help to ensure that these three Nationally-registered properties will be preserved for years to come.

Finally, it is important that these properties achieve local landmark status because of their potential future eligibility for tax credits and other financial incentives for their renovations. Often government programs intended to stimulate historic preservation/renovation are focused on National Register-listed properties in economically depressed neighborhoods. These properties meet both criteria today; achievement of local landmark status and, therefore, oversight by the Buffalo Preservation Board will ensure that if owners seek financial incentives in the future, exterior changes will be performed within the bounds of New York State Historic Preservation Office guidelines.

For these reasons, it is important that 293, 295 and 306 Hudson Street receive local landmark status.

The picture says it all... to the right is Friends of the Night People.
To the left of the building is the greenspace that they tried to convert into a parking lot.
However, the parcel was sold to Howie Colon, owner of the small white house
to the left of the FONP building.
Howie plans to continue to use the parcel as greenspace
and therefore FONP's van is now parked on the street...

FRIENDS OF THE NIGHT PEOPLE'S HOPE FOR A PARKING LOT
IS DASHED WHEN CITY OF BUFFALO SOLD
390 HUDSON STREET, A VACANT PARCEL, TO HOWIE COLON
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The Kleinhans/Days Park/Allentown communities scored a major victory when the City of Buffalo sold a vacant parcel of land to the adjoining homeowner at 388 Hudson Street. Earlier in the year, Friends of the Night People at 394 Hudson also attempted to purchase the vacant parcel with the hopes of creating a parking lot for their soup kitchen/homeless shelter and expand their operations.

Neighborhood residents were concerned about the loss of greenspace and the inappropriate land use in a highly visible location from Allen Street. A petition, signed by over 100 residents, was submitted to City Hall.

The City agreed to sell the parcel to Howie Colon, the owner of the house adjacent to the west. Howie has been maintaining the city-owned parcel for many years... Howie's intention is to continue to maintain the lot as attractive greenspace and not convert it into a parking lot.

Friends of the Night People is currently seeking permission to pave their backyard (approx. 25' x 40') to create a parking area. They are scheduled to appear before the Buffalo Preservation Board on November 13.

ALLENTOWN ASSOCIATION'S "SECRETS OF ALLENTOWN"
TOUR OF HISTORIC HOMES BRINGS NEARLY 1,000 VISITORS
TO KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD
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On Sept. 14, 2008, the Allentown Association hosted its popular "Secrets of Allentown" tour of historic homes.

Dinah Gamin & Lynn James, of 42 Orton Place , opened their home for the tour.

Mr. and Mrs. Don Meyer, of 355-357 Pennsylvania Street (corner of Orton Place), also opened their home for the tour.

Don was also the event artist and created pen-and-ink images for each of the approximate dozen homes on the tour that were used in the tour booklet and were given to each of the homeowners as a thank-you gift.

34 Plymouth... then and now... - WOW!



John's latest project... the restoration of the Richard Caudell House at 154 Fargo Ave.

JOHN GULICK CONTINUES COMMITMENT TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION
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John Gulick, owner of J.A. Gulick Historic Window Restoration Company, continues his impressive committment to historic preservation.

He continues to operate his business at 32 Plymouth Avenue, in the historic "Sidway Barn," built in the 1840s which John rescued from the jaws of demolition.

About two years ago, John, along with Joe Delaney and David Stiglitz, acquired and began to rescue 34 Plymouth Avenue, a beautifully-designed Queen Anne style house that had been scheduled for demolition after a fire. The sure-and-steady progress of bringing the house back to life continues. John began to complete the installation of the roof in Sept. 2008.

In addition to these two significant accomplishments, John also purchased 154 Fargo Avenue, near Jersey Street and is renovating the house as his home.

The Fargo Avenue house is very historically significant and was built about 1880 by builder-architect Richard Caudell. Richard lived in the home and operated his house construction business in a carpentry building in the rear. Richard Caudell built many homes in the Kleinhans/Allentown area during the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s.

John Gulick has already begun to restore the home's facade to its original 19th-century beauty. Way to go, John!

DAVID GRANVILLE AND CHRIS BROWN GIVE LECTURE
ON KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD WAR OF 1812 SITES
TO TOWN OF PORTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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On Oct. 20, 2008, David Granville and Chris Brown gave a presentation to the Town of Porter Historical Society entitled "War of 1812, People, Places and Events from Buffalo and Black Rock."

Many of the area's historic sites, including the newly placed Job Hoisington historic marker on Porter Avenue and the historic St.John/Sidway barn at 32 Plymouth Avenue.

The reception was well received and enjoyed by all. It is hoped that the Kleinhans area will play a prominent role in Buffalo's upcoming commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812/Burning of Buffalo.

The presentation will be repeated for the Historic Restoration Committee of the Black Rock/Riverside Good Neighbors Planning Alliance that will meet on Veteran's Day, Tue. Nov. 11, 2008 at 6:30 PM in the St. John's United Church of Christ on 85 Amherst St. The public is invited.

HOUSING CHANGES IN KCA NEIGHBORHOOD
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Housing changes of note:

• First Presbyterian Church, One Symphony Circle The First Presbyterian Church, a Buffalo Landmark, has completed its initial assessment of needed repairs to the historic structure including its iconic tower. Estimates are about $1 million. The church is currently researching funding opportunities to help with the daunting task. The church is currently seeking volunteers to help with fundraising, research and outreach efforts to complete the renovations.
  
  
• 45 Wadsworth Street Owner has received permission from the Buffalo Preservation Board to install wood window frames over exiting vinyl windows.
  
  
• 50 Orton Place Owner is seeking permission to convert from single-family residence to multiple-family dwelling. A public hearing will be held in room 901, City Hall, on 11/19/2008 at 3:00 PM.
  
  The owners are planning to make changes to 50 Orton and as soon as their architect is done with the final drawings we will formally begin the process to present them to the Buffalo Preservation Board and apply for the permits.
  
  
• 329 Hudson Street Owner is seeking permission to install a driveway.
  
  
• 25 St. Johns Place Community residents are concerned about the poor condition of the porch and are asking City of Buffalo inspectors to investigate.
  
  
• 50-54 Plymouth Avenue The KCA is working with the owners on the status of the properties... The properties have been vacant since July 2007. Since that time, vandals have broken into 50 Plymouth Avenue. Its plumbing has been stolen. The community attempted to contact the owner to resolve the issue. Neighborhood residents boarded the property (at their own expense) to the vandalism.
  
  
• 364 Hudson Street. Ted and Sherill Fleming are working to complete their plans for the renovation of 364 Hudson Street, a very architecturally and historically significant home... they hope to begin renovation of the property during the winter... meanwhile their other stunning housing renovation at 32 St. Johns Place earned them an Allenown Association Beautification Award and is now fully occupied... and the residents LOVE the neighborhood!
  
  
• 13 Wadsworth Street. Housing inspectors and the Buffalo Preservation Board has been working with the owner/manager of this apartment building to fix the barbed-wire "prison fence" that surrounds the building that was erected without permission of the Buffalo Preservation Board.
  
  
• 30 Plymouth Avenue. Kudos to Joe Dallos who has installed new, bright lighting at his apartment house at 30 Plymouth Avenue... it certainly helps to light up the street and provide a deterrent against crime.
  
  
• 31 Plymouth Avenue. congratulations to Margaret Meek who worked diligently to find a solution to her porch rebuilding need... a porch was completely rebuilt in August 2008.

Several homes in the area have sold:

• 25-29 Plymouth Avenue. The property sold to another homeowner on the street, Dawn Lauck & Sam!
  
  
• 295 Hudson Street. The house sold at City of Buffalo auction on 10/20 to Nic Garelick, a first-time home buyer who hopes to renovate and occupy in the property as soon as he makes it livable. Nick is a housing renovation contractor...
  
  
• 7 Wadsworth Street The vacant parcel, site of the former "Falcon" building, has been sold at City of Buffalo Tax auction to Rick Sasala, owner of Spirits of Allentown liquor store next door. Rick hopes to use the site for parking for his building and a patio.
  
  

Several homes in the area are for sale:

• 288 Hudson Street. Although the former Hens Manse was auctioned in Sept. 2007 , the prospective owner has backed out of the deal. It is owned by the City of Buffalo real estate department and is available for sale . A couple is interested but have not received support from the City of Buffalo. There was a major demonstration held at the house recently and the plight of the couple was featured in Artvoice .
  
  
• 299 Pennsylvania Street Single family with back carriage house, about $20,000.