We at Broadway Fillmore Alive work hard to promote what we believe to be one of the most historic neighborhoods in Buffalo,
I have also been working on a plan to make it alittle easier for renters to become owner occupants in the district,I dont mean getting them tied into mortgages that they cant afford as has happened way too many times in the past,We have an abundance of vacant housing in the district and we need to save what is salvagable and can be rehabbed reasonably, I dont mean a 25-50k rehabilitation I am looking for under 15k, A Mortgage on $15,000 + taxes and insurance works out to under $220.00 per month!
Many properties are city owned and hopefully the city will continue to be bendable as it is the only way this plan will work.What needs demolition in the targeted area would have to be done as the houses are being rehabbed, We would not want blighted properties sitting amongst the houses that are being rehabbed, Money could be saved on debris removal by rehabbing and demolishing on the same streets at the same time,Each property that is demolished next to a homeowner could then be given/purchased cheaply by the homeowner.
There is a free paint program that can be utilized for the project and we surely could organize volunteers to help get the exteriors painted as needed,
In order for this to work we would have to virtually work on everything at the same time, We can also organize with Yuri and community service workers for added help.
Doing 1 house on 1 street here and there does nothing to improve the neighborhood! I have emailed many city officials and have only heard back from one, As we always say everything that is being done in our district is basically being done at a grassroots level, After 3 yrs of working in the district it gets harder and harder to smile and say “Thats ok we are used to being ignored ” With the new administration in office I am still hopeful the Fillmore district will receive the attention it deserves.
In the past there have been so many plans made with very little success,I have spoken to many residents over the past 3 years and virtually everyone says the same thing.
I have chosen to work with 2 of the very best people who share the same feelings I do and we have some wonderful consultants who also feel the same way,
The last thing we will be is a group of people who talk about doing things and do nothing.So stay tuned Im sure we will surprise you
