Category Archives: City Living

Poll: What do you call our ‘hood?

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I’ve been thinking. (insert “uh oh” or “watch out” or “finally”)

There are a ton of areas in the city of Buffalo that are distinctly identifiable by their name. In some cases, that name may be aligned to a main street or “drag” – in others, to something historic or unique. But in all cases, the name comes with an image. It also creates a destination while identifying you with a particular neighborhood.

The name is everything.

Think of the Elmwood Village, Allentown, Canalside, Chippewa, Cobblestone, Larkinville. Each of these have become destinations, filled with restaurants, bars and other amenities, flush with hustle and bustle. They’re marketable locales. They’ve become pockets of pride for the city and even trendy. Basically just places people want to be.

So what about North Buffalo?

It has all of the above and given the flurry of business activity and recent real estate trends, it has become, not only cool but also, a good investment to reside in 14216. But is thinking of it on the “North Buffalo” scale too broad? Meaning, without having focus on the center of the activity, maybe we’re missing out on what could be something even greater.

The above neighborhood names drive people to a place that usually in turn spurs some economic impact. It’s no secret that the backbone of North Buffalo is Hertel Avenue. The marketer in me would love to see us commit to creating something that reinforces just that. Reinforces a unified brand for the core part of North Buffalo – be it our avenue, village, district, borough or ward. Something we can collectively own, celebrate and promote.

Whether you’ve lived in the area your whole life or are a transplant, you’re likely all abuzz with the buzz so I’m sure this resonates with you. So what do you think? Do we need a once-and-for-all name? A brand? What should it be? Share your thoughts in the below poll!

Springin’

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This year’s first day of spring has me just delighted, and for a reason you may not expect.

The longer days and warmer temps that come with spring are bringing on a slow and flood-free thaw of the snow and ice that blanketed our turf for the past three months. And with that, something so very beautiful is unearthing.

No, not flowers. Yet, at least.

The beauty I speak of isn’t part of the spring renewal in the traditional sense, but it is really a sight for sore eyes and comes with some utilitarian benefit.

So what am I talking about?

CURBS!

Yep, that’s right. The Buffalo curbs are BACK! The reappearance of those small, beautiful, old, rugged rows of stone and concrete can mean but one thing: Cars no longer have to park on an incline in the middle of the streets.

And for that, I am simply delighted.

That is all.

Got a double for sale? Jay wants it.

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If you’re selling, our friend Jay is buying. Read his 5 reasons on why he should be your home’s next owner.

House

Dear Residents of North Buffalo:

For four glorious years I was a member of your community.  I worked out at Terrie’s in a cut-off t-shirt and flexed my guns in the mirrors.  I played volleyball at Nichol’s. I hammered down more Poncho Villa burritos at Gramma Mora’s than I can remember, and on Sundays I hazily stumbled a quarter mile to Kosta’s for the best damn hangover food in Buffalo.  Life was good, North Buffalo. And I cherished every minute of it.

But, like a Bills Dynasty, all great things must come to an end.  And today this dispatch comes to you from another part of town.  A lovely neighborhood that lets me run along the water every morning and eat fresh picked cherry tomatoes from my neighbors garden at night.

But I miss you North Buffalo.  I’m older now and I realize that I didn’t truly appreciate your community for the vibrant, walkable neighborhood that it is.  I took North Buffalo for granted.  I’ve matured since then, North Buffalo, and now that I’m ready to buy a home I want back in.  I gaze longingly at the 198 on my drive into work and hope that someday, I’ll be able to call North Buffalo home again.

So, residents of North Buffalo, sell me your home.  A two-family right in the heart of the action.  Forget that empty nest couple looking for an income property and willing to pay $20,000 cash over asking price. You want ME as your neighbor.  I will owner-occupy the shit out of that home and I will be the best neighbor you have ever had.  Below, I have outlined a few of the many reasons why I deserve to call North Buffalo home again.

  1. Home Maintenance:  The home I buy doesn’t need to be perfect.  I will lovingly restore my future dwelling.  I will spend hours gently stripping paint off woodwork by hand with a tiny razor.  I will hire the great-great-great grandson of Darwin Martin to come into my home and hand make stain glass windows for my front door.  And when it’s finished I will proudly participate in EVERY Tour of Homes.  I will serve visitors food catered from Joe’s Deli and let them rifle through my underwear drawer while they pepper me with questions about the refurbished knobs I bought at Buffalo ReUse.
  1. Lawn Care: As a member of North Buffalo my lawn will be so perfectly manicured that the groundskeeper for the Buffalo Bisons will hire me as a consultant. In the summer I will spend a minimum 3 days a week outside working on my lawn shirtless.  I will gratuitously pour water on myself to cool down.  Unless you’re not into that sort of thing.  Then I’ll totally keep my shirt on.
  1. Tenants: We can’t have just anybody living in our neighborhood, North Buffalo.  So I will carefully screen all potential tenants.  I’ll require letters of recommendation from at least three sources, a credit check, and a security screening that would make Homeland Security blush.
  1. Buying Local: My home will be furnished with nothing but antiques and items purchased at ROOM.  I will dust off the cut-off and renew my membership at Terrie’s, and when I’m done pumping iron I’ll walk next door and ruin it all on chips, salsa and Poncho Villa’s.  Local businesses will know me better than staff at Cheers knows Norm Peterson.
  1. Hello Hertel: Karen and Charlie insist that I be a resident of North Buffalo before I’m allowed to join the staff of Hello Hertel.  You want me on that staff, North Buffalo.  I will weave beautiful word webs about our community that you will be proud to post all over social media.  I will do nothing but sit in Spot Coffee with my hipster glasses on and write about how awesome it is to be a resident of North Buffalo.

So there you have it.  I humbly ask that you consider my proposal and allow me to move back into our neighborhood.  I miss you, North Buffalo.  Admit it, you miss me too.

Sincerely,
Jay

For more nonsense follow Jay on twitter @TheBigElevator

Our Lonely Tower

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There she stands. Quietly overlooking North Buffalo.

Lonely Tower

An empty plot of land surrounds her, and many months have passed since the former Korean Methodist Church sat in tact, keeping her company. It’s been even longer since there was activity at that corner.

To me, this nearly demolished space is a reminder of the “old Buffalo” – blighted and defeated. But, if you look at it from a different angle (and I suggest you do), this very tower symbolizes the movement we’re seeing all around town. One of promise, hope, and revitalization.

This tower is destined to return to glory. Just like those grain elevators downtown and the countless turn of the century warehouse buildings we’re seeing slowly reborn.

You may have read a prior blog of mine showing the plans to build high end apartments around the anchor tower. Time may have passed, but the plans haven’t changed.

The good folks at Saranac Central Block Association reached out to the owner of the planned development, Sam DeFranks, this month and got this update:

  • The project is moving forward but at a slower pace than planned. The harsh winter caused a series of delays for most contractors.
  • The design and intentions remain the same and the goal is to have foundations poured and framing/building shell construction start late this fall/early winter.

In general the following tasks will take place in the coming weeks:

  • Parking lot will be privatized and fenced/secured (by Halloween)
  • Job trailer will be located in parking lot (by Halloween)
  • Concrete foundations will commence (November)
  • Framing/shell construction will follow foundations

I’ve had the opportunity to speak with Sam a few times and his position has always been the same. He’s excited for this project and for North Buffalo. He’s a bit apologetic for the length of time it’s taking to get a shovel in the ground. And most of all, he’s thankful for the patience and support of the community.

Hang in there folks, good things are ahead!

Tower photo courtesy of Chris Bordeleau Photography (@buffcleb). 

Hello Old Friend

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I hate goodbyes. I hate goodbyes in the airport. I hate goodbyes at parties. I hate goodbyes at the doorstep of your family or friend’s house that you don’t want to leave. Goodbyes are the worst.

I said goodbye to my friend Beth over seven years ago. Beth was looking for a fresh start so she packed up and headed to the West Coast. A goodbye like that is never fun because you never know when you’re going to see them again. Beth and I did stay in touch over the years thanks to modern technology and we managed to squeeze in a few face-to-face visits.

Fast forward seven years and three cities later on Beth’s U.S. tour, I now get to say hello. Hello Old Friend. In fact I could yell “HELLO!” out my kitchen window and as of today, Beth could probably hear me and shout it right back (or maybe “Hello Hertel!”). My old friend is back in Buffalo, North Buffalo to be exact. Beth is back in Buffalo for a variety of reasons but I’m sure she’d tell you that family, a good job and the buzz about Buffalo on the rise is what actually made her pull the trigger.

What made her choose North Buffalo? I’ll let her weigh in on that:

  • Hertel has a hip/fun vibe.
  • Great access to Delaware Park so I can get my run on.
  • Short commute to work.
  • My bestie lives there and she’s a reliable source on the cool places to live.
  • I want to have direct access to Kostas every day.

Hello Old Friend. Welcome Home.

Congratulations North Buffalo. We got another good one! Who’s next?

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