Historic East Side Neighborhood Initiative (HESNI) and Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) will be hosting a public meeting to explore the listing of a portion of the East Side’s Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood as a Certified Local Historic District. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at 6:00 PM at the Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY, 1081 Broadway, Buffalo NY 14212.
Representatives from HESNI, PBN, and project consultant Preservation Studios, will present materials to inform residents and property owners within the potential Historic District of the benefits and effects of such a designation and to get community input into the proposed creation of a district that celebrates and strengthens the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.
“The response we’ve received from current neighborhood homeowners and residents has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Jim Serafin, Chairperson of HESNI, “With this second meeting we’re looking to engage more neighborhood residents and property owners and address some of the common questions following our last meeting.”
This project was made possible by a $7,000 grant from the Preservation League of New York State and a $2,000 matching grant from Common Councilmember David Franczyk. Funds went to hire consultant Preservation Studios to survey approximately 1400 properties, updating a previous survey completed by the City in 2003, and making recommendations for community preservation.
“An important part of PBN’s mission is to partner with local community to help them harness the power of preservation to lead to a brighter, more sustainable future,” said Jessie Fisher, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara. “The Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood is an important part of telling the story that is Buffalo, and we are so pleased to be able to work with this community to protect and enhance their historic resources.”
The designation of Certified Local Historic District in this area would allow eligible property owners to take advantage of state and federal tax credits for property improvements and provide protection under the Buffalo Preservation Ordinance against demolition and inappropriate development.
Historic East Side Neighborhood Initiative (HESNI) was formed in 2015 to find means to do “historic rescues” of properties under threat of demolition on the East Side. As the regions only professionally staffed historic preservation organization, Preservation Buffalo Niagara provides leadership in identifying, protecting, and promoting the unique architecture and historic legacy of Western New York communities.
For more information about this Public Meeting, please contact Jim Serafin, at jim@rdm-buffalo.com or call 716-541-5391.
