Yea, this is Allentown. But who the heck was Allen?: Page 8
The Allentown Neighbor
March, April, May 2015
Volume 50, Number 1
Published quarterly by The Allentown Association Inc., 14 Allen St., Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone: (716) 881-1024 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.allentown.org
Preservation Board
must OK installation
of solar panels
Delaware and Allen at last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Association works to curb rowdiness,
make St. Pat’s Parade family-friendly
niture and public urination come from
every corner of the neighborhood.
Allentown Association Crime and
One of the most prolific member
Safety Awareness Committee leader
issues brought to the attention of the
Rik Whitaker, Association President
Association the past few years is the
Jonathan White and Executive Director
dramatic increase in public consumption of alcohol at the St. Patrick’s Day Andrew Eisenhardt held meetings in
February with Councilmember David
Parade and a related increase in damage to property by intoxicated individ- Franczyk and Police Commissioner
Daniel Derenda and also with parade
uals.
The parade travels through the heart organizers, the City Special Events
office, B District Chief of Police and
of Allentown on Delaware Avenue,
the Captain of the Police Traffic Diviending at North Street. Drinking on
Allen Street and along the parade route sion.
The intent was to discuss public
now begins early in the morning and it
intoxication and to initiate efforts to
is clear that a large number of people
mitigate the disruptive behavior by
come to Allentown with a focus on
individuals attending the parade. The
alcohol consumption and not on the
Association has requested a zeroparade.
tolerance policy on public
Reports of fighting, broken windows, damage to cars, porches and fur- Continued on Page 2
By JONATHAN WHITE
Allentown Association President
For updates, follow on Twitter @AllentownAssoc
By RICHARD R. HAYNES
It’s good to be green, but not at
the cost of destroying the architectural integrity of your historic home.
That’s the challenge facing homeowners in Allentown and other historic districts who want to have solar
panels installed.
Fortunately, it is usually possible
to have it both ways. The National
Trust for Historic Preservation has
guidelines for allowing solar technology while minimizing impact on historic properties.
In any case, solar installations
must be approved by the Buffalo
Preservation Board as well as the
city’s Building Permits office.
So far, only two homes in the
neighborhood have had solar panels
approved and installed ̶ 115 Mariner and 32 Arlington. But we can
expect more going forward as solarpanel prices drop and their efficiency
improves.
The price of solar panels has fallen by a third in the past two years,
and there’s a federal energy tax credit that will reimburse homeowners
for up to 30 percent of installation
costs.
With SolarCity’s $900 milliondollar panel factory under construction in South Buffalo, the economics
of solar installations will only get
better.
Continued on Page 7
and like the Association on Facebook.
Page 2
54 apartments
planned at
Maryland, West
The old brownfield factory site at
the corner of Maryland Street and
West Avenue will become a $5.3 million apartment complex aimed at attracting Buffalo Niagara Medical
Campus service workers.
The 1.6-acre site just outside Allentown’s boundary was the former home
of billboard maker Lamar Advertising
and later Penn Advertising.
The complex by developer and former judge Anthony LoRusso will be
called “Casa Serena,” with 48 onebedroom and six two-bedroom apartments. Rents will range from $765 to
$895 a month, utilities included.
Balconies will face West Avenue; entrances will be in the rear.
There will be 60 parking spaces,
elevators, wooden fencing and uniformed security, LoRusso told the Allentown Association board at its February meeting.
He said he’s aiming for a tenant
base from the 4,000 BNMC workers
earning in the $15-an-hour range.
The site is near two bus lines that
run to Main Street at the BNMC.
He said background and credit
checks would be made before leases
are signed.
Final design was altered in response to input from neighbors, cutting the size of the project slightly,
adding greenspace, and making the
building look “less suburban.”
If all goes well, the project will be
finished by year-end.
Parade’s organizers, police on board to reduce intoxication
Continued from Page One
consumption of alcohol – a policy that is successfully enforced at the large St. Patrick’s Day parades in Boston,
New York and Chicago, which were faced with similar
issues. Boston police and civic officials began enforcement
in 2009, followed quickly by other major cities.
Parade organizing officials welcomed the effort, noting
that their goal is to produce a family-friendly event and that
their efforts are severely hampered by the poor behavior of
some intoxicated individuals. The problem is now so widely known that it is keeping families away from the parade.
The Association requested that the number of trash bins
be increased dramatically along the parade route and along
Allen Street and requested that the city assign a significant
number of additional police officers to the parade route.
Any individual with an open container of alcohol will be
ordered by police to discard it and will be subject to a fine.
Parade organizers also were asked to increase the number
of portable rest rooms in order to curb the public urination.
The Association agreed to provide parade officials with
suggested locations for the public rest rooms, which organizers indicated has become difficult for them as some property owners have refused to allow placement of the rest
rooms on their lots in recent years. The Association also
agreed to provide suggested locations for additional trash
receptacles.
All parties agreed that public announcements will be
necessary to inform Western New Yorkers that drunkenness will no longer be tolerated. A joint press event will be
scheduled to include representatives of the city administration and Common Council, the police department, parade
organizers and the Allentown Association.
The message will be clear: If you and your family want
to enjoy a great parade and to celebrate Irish heritage in a
respectful way, we welcome you to our neighborhood. But
if your intent is to come down and drink to excess or to
consume alcohol on the public streets, you are not welcome
and it will not be allowed.
It is important that the Association be able to document
incidents related to bad behavior on parade day. If you witness any detrimental activity or your home or property suffers any damage on parade day, please let the Association
know so that we may tabulate the incidents. You can email
us at [email protected] or leave a message at 8811024.
Page 3
Neighborhood home prices edging higher
The number of sales remains low, but nevertheless
By RICHARD R. HAYNES
were up last year. Single/condo sales totaled 26, up from
The Allentown real estate market remains robust, ac18 in 2013; 2-3-4 unit sales totaled 18, up from 8.
cording to latest data from the Buffalo Niagara Associa“I think there were a few more sellers because hometion of Realtors.
owners are realizing values are up and it’s a good time to
The median sales price of single-family homes and
cash out on the equity they’ve built up,” DiGiampaolo
condominiums edged up to $193,900 last year from
said.
$191,800 in 2013.
Lenahan said empty-nesters and
That $193,900 figure is up 50
Allentown’s Realty Market older people who want to downsize
percent in four years.
Median Prices Singles/Condos
are especially in that category.
Factoring out condo sales,
However, there could be a pricethere were 18 single-family
YEAR
AMOUNT
SALES
dampener on the horizon: A
homes sold in the neighborhood
2014
$193,900
26
citywide property reassessment that
last year at a median price of
$191,800
18
will probably take effect for tax bills
$249,500. Think a quarter-million 2013
due in mid-2017.
dollars ̶ and three homes sold for 2012
$148,000
17
Almost every year, the city does
more than that last year on Mari- 2011
$129,000
21
partial reassessments, but there hasner Street, a fairly typical AllenMedian Prices 2-3-4 Unit Homes n’t been a complete citywide one in
town residential street.
15 years.
“Anything under $250,000
YEAR
AMOUNT
SALES
But now the city has hired a conwith a driveway is going to fly
2014
$221,211
18
sulting firm to review assessments
out in a number of days,” said
2013
$247,500
8
on all properties, and Allentown is
Mark W. DiGiampaolo of MJ
certainly among several neighborPeterson Real Estate.
2012
$140,250
18
hoods that will see valuations jump.
He said a 3000-square-foot
2011
$129,000
12
That will mean an increase in
brick home on North Pearl Street
property taxes, although not necessarily in direct proporwas recently appraised at $390,000.
tion to the increase in assessed values. If the city budget
At the top end of the scale, a beautiful Victorian at 45
holds the line on revenues drawn from property taxes, the
Irving Place is listed for sale at $529,000. Of course it’s
tax rate would fall inversely to the rise in citywide asexceptional ̶ with five bedrooms, three baths, a library,
two-car garage and renovations throughout. But the realtor sessed values, possibly mitigating the hit to homeowners
in upswing neighborhoods.
who has the listing, Susan D. Lenahan, also of MJ PeterCountywide median prices were a lot lower than Allenson, thinks it will sell in that price range.
Perhaps to a physician or researcher at the Buffalo Ni- town’s: $132,000 for singles/condos, down $3,000 from
2013, and $73,500 for 2-3-4 units, up $500 from 2013.
agara Medical Campus will buy it.
Two caveats to BNAR data: They include only sales by
“The Medical Campus is the driver behind rising real
estate values,” she said, and believes it will continue to be registered Realtors, not for-sale-by owner deals. And the
BNAR’s Allentown zone is slightly larger than the Allenas campus expands.
Median prices slipped a bit last year in the category of town Historic District and the service territory of the Al2-3-4 multi-unit homes, down to $221,200 from $247,500 lentown Association.
in 2013. But that’s still up nearly 60 percent in four years.
Susan Lenahan,
CRS, CBR
Associate Broker
2007-2012 Agent of the Year
431 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
[email protected]
www.susanlenahan.com
Your City Expert!
Cell: 864-6757
www.bnmc.org
Page 4
The Allentown Neighbor / Spring 2015
DIGGIN’ ALLENTOWN
Consider an art element for garden or yard
By MAX STEPHAN
Allentown is a neighborhood which prides itself in
identity. Self-expression, awareness of one’s surroundings,
individuality – all components of the village’s aesthetic
qualities can be found not only in the residents and businesses, but in its architecture and landscape as well.
To help celebrate these qualities, The Allentown Neighbor is proud to be launching a new column: “Diggin’ Allentown.” Each article will offer fresh views and sound
advice on ways in which Allentowners can complement the
historic and architectural richness of their property by
beautifying its landscape. Concepts will range from guidance on the application of small ornamental trimmings, to
large-scale innovations – all blending traditional with unconventional methods. So, to begin …
All too often, landscape designs follow variations of
normalcy – “keeping up with the Joneses,” so to say. Yet
in Allentown, a blend of change and modernity can offer a
breath of fresh air. One way to embrace modernity in landscape design is the use of sculpture or art as a showpiece or
central position on one’s property.
True, art and sculpture can be found in nurseries and
landscape supply stores in Western New York, but the core
are mass-produced items with no link to the locals – a concept which does not complement historic property.
But there’s a variety of landscape artists and sculptors
in Western New York whose creations are both genuine
and one-of-a-kind. For some, their art is a hobby, a pastime; but for others, creativity is their sole source of income. Either way, there is a sense of pride generated by
supporting local artists and showing a piece forged by one
of our own.
Across the street from The Mansion on Delaware stands
a sculpture titled “Watchman” by urban artist Doug Sargent. He is a metal sculptor, is known for utilizing reclaimed materials like steel, copper, tin, ancient and antique iron, stone and wood – some of which date back to
the late 1800s. Sargent’s work represents one angle of
At left, “Watchman” by Doug Sargent.
Right, “Picture This” by Mike O.
landscape art which fits well in progressive, yet historic
neighborhoods like Allentown.
On the other end of the spectrum is Mike O. – a metal
sculptor whose work has appeared at the Allentown Art
Festival for years. Mike O.’s work consists of 100 percent
manufactured steel forging sculptures which combine
smooth texture, clarity and vivid hues in abstract shapes.
What brings Mike O. and Doug Sargent together is that
all of their creations are one-of-a-kind, made with Buffalo
pride.
They are only two of several sculptors whose landscape
-based work is both affordable and distinctive. Consider
supporting, if not commissioning local artists and sculptors
for a piece of art with distinctive identity and meaning.
Nothing beats the pride one feels knowing they have
helped support the revitalization of our neighborhood, our
city.
Max Stephan is chair of the Association’s Beautification Committee and owner of Allentown Landscape LLC.
LOVEJOY PIZZA
900 Main St.
883-2323
We Deliver
www.lovejoypizza.com
The Allentown Neighbor / Spring 2015
Page 5
Construction activity
on UB Med School
is about to pick up
The site at Main and Allen streets
where the new University at Buffalo
School of Medicine and Biomedical
Sciences will go up looks like a big dig
right now.
But watch for real construction to
start shortly as contractor LPCiminelli
begins putting up structural steel, building the school’s facade and roof and
finishing the interior.
When the $375 million school is
complete in 2017, it will house some
2,000 UB faculty, students and staff,
many of whom will want to live, eat,
shop and have fun in Allentown.
At 650,000 square feet, it is the largest medical education building under
construction in the nation.
UB is recruiting 100 new faculty
members to the school ̶ world-class
physician-scientists and specialists who
will teach, bring expertise in much-need
clinical specialties to the region and
help develop medical training programs
in important new fields.
The medical school’s class size will
increase to 180 students from 140.
Third- and fourth-year medical students will start attending classes and
labs in the new building during the
spring of 2017, with all medical students expected in by August 2017.
Under the school is a new AllenBNMC metro station, promoting community connections and sustainable
transportation. The building is on track
to receive LEED Gold certification.
The latest rendering of the new UB Medical School shows a less
angular, more nuanced design than early renditions.
This is what the site looked like in 1921.
Upscale furniture showroom, hip clothing boutique open
A new furniture, lighting and design studio and a hip
clothing boutique have opened in Allentown.
Manuel Barreto Furniture opened r ecently at 430
Delaware Ave. near Edward Street, operated by Pedro Manuel Freire, a Portuguese native who has 15 years experience in interior and furniture design, and his wife Christina
Isabel Viera. The studio and showroom offer modern furniture “with a sense of tradition” including custom-made
pieces for residential, office and commercial space. A selection can be seen at www.manuelbarreto.com. The store
carries Flos lighting, an upscale Italian line.
The premises also serve as an exhibition space for art.
Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by appointment. Call 867-8937.
Freshly Dipped Clothing is a new boutique at 93 Allen St. offering street ware and accessories for men and
women, featuring several national brands. Bridget Hodges
and Edie Patterson Jr. began the business as an online retailer in 2008, opened a shop on Hertel Ave. in 2013, and
moved the business to Allen St. in January.
Page 6
The Allentown Neighbor / Spring 2015
Calendar of Springtime Events
Allendale Theater, 203 Allen St. Theatre of Youth presents “The BFG (Big Friendly Giant),” for ages 6 and up,
March 20 to 29; “Winnie the Pooh, for ages 4 and up, May 8
to June 7. For information and tickets, call 884-4400, see
www.theatreofyouth.org.
Allentown Association, Boar d of Dir ector s meets
March 10, April 14, May 12, 7 p.m., 14 Allen St. Litter Mob
clean-up volunteers, March 19, April 16, May 21, meet at 6
p.m. at Fat Bob’s Smokehouse, 41 Virginia Place. Annual
membership dinner, March 21, Hamlin House, 6 p.m. For information call 881-1024, see www.allentown.org.
Art Dialogue Gallery, 5 Linwood Ave., Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Riding the
New York City Subway,” sketches by Andrew Sanders,
through March 13. Works by Donald Scheller, March 20 to
May 29. For information call 885-2251 or see wnyag.com.
Artists Group Gallery, 1 Linwood Ave., Tuesday to
Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Annual
Members Exhibition, traditional works, juried by Alberto Rey,
Feb. 13 to March 12. Members Exhibition, modern works,
juried by Nina Freudenheim, March 20 to April 17. Regional
Printmakers, April 24 to May 29. For information call 8852251.
Betty’s restaurant, 370 Virginia St. at College St.,
Works on paper by Catherine Shurman Miller, through March
22.
Buffalo Big Print gallery, 78 Allen St. Monday thr ough
Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Haitian Medical Mission benefit,
March 6, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Works of Buffalo artists, through
April. For information call 884-1777.
Casa de Arte, 141 Elmwood Ave., r eopens in J une.
El Museo, 91 Allen St., Tuesday to Satur day, noon to 5
p.m. Works of José Fuentes, to March 13. For information,
call 464-4692.
First Friday Gallery Tours, Allentown galler ies will
have extended evening hours, some with new exhibits and
receptions, March 6, April 3, May1. See firstfridaysallentown.org.
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St. Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 5
p.m. For information call 983-2112.
Indigo Art gallery, 47 Allen St., Wednesday and Fr iday, noon to 6 p.m.; Thursday noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday noon
to 3 p.m. Confluence, recent work by Monica Angle, March 6
to 29. Metamorformations, sculpture by Lynn Northrop, April
6 to 26. Paintings by George Hughes, May 1 to 30. For information, call 984-9572.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 220 Nor th St.
Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wright Brothers,
through April. For information call 885-1986.
Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Classics ser ies: Alain Lefèvr e plays Ger shwin, Mar ch
7, 8 p.m., March 8, 2:30 p.m.; Beethoven’s Ninth, March 21,
8 p.m., March 22, 2:30 p.m.; Charles Ives, April 11, 8 p.m.,
April 12, 2:30 p.m.; Nazdrowie, Poland, April 24, 10:30 a.m.,
April 25, 8 p.m.; William Tell and Shostakovich, May 9, 8
p.m., May 10, 2:30 p.m.; Bernstein and Mahler, May 29,
10:30 a.m., May 30, 8 p.m. Pops series: Megan Hilty, March
14, 8 p.m.; Glenn Miller Orchestra April 17, 10:30 a.m., April
18, 8 p.m;. Bond and Beyond, May 2, 8 p.m.; Patriotic Pops,
May 22, 10:30 a.m., May 23, 8 p.m. Others: The Magical Music of Disney, March 15, 2:30 p.m.; Dr. Seuss Meets the BPO,
April 19, 2:30 p.m.; The Music of Michael Jackson, May 1, 8
p.m;. Carnival of the Animals, May 3, 2:30 p.m.; Side by Side
with the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts,
May 5, 7 p.m. For tickets, call 885-5000, see www.bpo.org.
Buffalo Chamber Music Society concer ts, Elias Str ing
Quartet, March 17, 8 p.m.; Julliard String Quartet, April 28, 8
p.m. For tickets, call 462-4939, or visit
www.bflochambermusic.org.
Manuel Barreto Gallery, 430 Delawar e Ave., Tuesday,
Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Works by Jozef Bajus, through April. For information call, 867-8937.
Nina Freudenheim Gallery, Hotel Lenox, 140 Nor th St.
Tuesday through Friday 10 to 5, Saturdays by appointment.
Works on paper by Joan Linder, mid-March through April.
Paintings by Kyle Butler, June. For information call 8825777.
Pausa Art House, 19 Wadswor th St., music and entertainment, café, 6 p.m. to midnight, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. For information, call 697-9069, see pausaarthouse.com.
Studio Hart, 65 Allen St. Tuesday thr ough Fr iday,
11:30 a.m. to 3p.m.; Saturday noon to 4 p.m. “Artists and
Gardens,” presented by Garden Walk Buffalo Niagara, June 5
to 27. For information call 536-8337.
TGW@497 Gallery, 497 Franklin St., Wednesday to
Friday, noon to 5p.m.; Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. Woodblock
prints and terra cotta sculpture by David Vitrano, March 4 to
28. “Re-Find,” reprise of found iron sculpture by Richard
Rockford and Robert Then, April 2 to 25. Collages by seven
Buffalo artists, May 1 to 30. For information call 949-6604.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site (Wilcox Mansion),
641 Delaware Ave. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. April Fools’ Fun, March 28
and 29, all day. Sketch Night, April 7 and May 5, 6 to 8 p.m.,
Teddy Bear Story, April 18 and May 16, 2 p.m. Trivia Night,
March 21 and May 19, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mother-Daughter
Tea and Fashion Show, May 2, and 3, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30
p.m., reservations required. For information, call 884-0095,
see www.trsite.org.
The Calendar of Events is compiled by Pete Carroll.
Email submissions to him at [email protected].
The Allentown Neighbor / Spring 2015
Page 7
Keep historic fabric intact; minimize panels’ visibility
Continued from Page One
nently alter or damage such fabric must be avoided. AnyHere are the National Trust’s guidelines, established to way, a few years down the road there may be better,
assist preservation boards in evaluating installations, and
cheaper panels available that you’d want to substitute for
useful for homeowners to
today’s technology.
Go for low profiles. Solar panels
review before calling in a
should be flush with – or mounted
solar energy contractor:
If possible, use a ground
no higher than a few inches above –
-mounted solar panel arthe existing roof surface. They
ray. Consider a r ear or side
should not be visible above the roofyard, low to the ground, and
line of a primary façade.
sensitively screened to furOn flat roofs, set solar panels
ther limit visibility.
back from the edge. Because they
Locate solar panels on
are generally hidden from view, flat
new construction or nonroofs can provide an ideal surface
historic buildings. If your
for solar panel arrays. To ensure
house was built in 1880 and
An example of an acceptable installation. that a solar installation is minimally
your garage in 1980, see if the
visible, set the solar panels back
panels could go on the garage.
from the roof's edge.
Minimize visibility from the street. Tr y to avoid
Avoid disjointed and multi-roof solutions. Solar
placing solar panels on street-facing walls or roofs. Instal- panels should be set at angles consistent with the slope or
lations below and behind parapet walls and dormers or on pitch of the supporting roof. For example, avoid installarear-facing roofs are often good choices.
tions that would set panels at a 70 degree angle when the
Don’t wreck historic features. Don’t let panels alter
roof pitch is 45 degrees. Panels should be located on one
existing roof lines or dormers. Avoid installations that ob- roof plane, not scattered among several roofs.
struct views of significant architectural features (such as
Ensure that solar panels, support structures, and
overlaying windows or decorative detailing) or intrude on conduits blend into the surrounding features of the hisviews of neighboring historic properties.
toric resource. The over all visibility and r eflectivity of
Solar installations should be reversible. The use of
solar panels and their support structures can be substantialsolar roof tiles, laminates, glazing, and other technologies ly reduced if elements of the solar installation match the
that require removal of intact historic fabric or that perma- color of the surrounding building fabric.
The Allentown Association: Serving Buffalo’s Great Historic Neighborhood for 50 years
Incorporated in 1963 as a 501(c)3 charitable not-for profit
community organization. Our Mission Statement:
The only purpose of The Allentown Association is to serve
its community. It does that through efforts to beautify the
neighborhood; to encourage historic preservation and
property maintenance; to promote appropriate business
development; to fight crime, and to protect and enhance
Allentown’s unique urban ambiance.
OFFICERS:
President: J onathan White
Vice presidents:
Steve Earnhart,
Ekua Mends-Aidoo,
Andrew Pace
Treasurer: Kelly Mar tin
Secretary: J illian Stiefel
Henry Raess, Max Stephen,
Laine Walnicki
Ex-officio (non voting):
Ed Castine, Richard Haynes,
Holly Holdaway, Elizabeth
Licata, Melissa Osmon,
Adam Sokol
DIRECTORS:
Seth Amman, Chris Brown,
Trina Burruss, Pete Carroll,
Bob Fink, Gretchan Grobe,
Brian Gould, Barbara Hart,
Stanton Hudson, Jim Nash,
Andrew Pace, Christopher
Poole, Kevin Rabener,
The Allentown Neighbor
Executive Director:
Andrew Eisenhardt
The newsletter is published quarterly; mailed to members and others, and distributed for free at retail venues in Allentown.
Editor: Richard R. Haynes, email: [email protected]
Advertising: [email protected] or [email protected]
Page 8
Allentown’s namesake,
Louis Falley Allen,
never actually lived here
But he was resourceful, talented and interesting,
and owned the land that’s now our neighborhood
LEWIS FALLEY ALLEN, the man for whom
Allentown is named, never actually lived in this neighborhood.
But he was a sort of nineteenth century Renaissance
man we’d be proud to have as a neighbor today.
He was a cattle rancher, hardworking farmer, amateur
architect, civic leader, author and publisher ̶ and made a
fortune from a variety of business endeavors including real
estate.
Allen was born on New Year's Day, 1800. At age 27, he
and his bride of two years, the former Margaret Cleveland
(1801-1880), an aunt of Grover Cleveland, moved here
from Massachusetts. The village of Buffalo then had just
4,000 residents, but the Erie Canal had opened two years
earlier and Buffalo was being catapulted into a period of
extraordinary growth.
In 1829 Allen paid $2,500 for 29 acres of land located
about a mile north of Buffalo's downtown, extending from
Main Street west to Hudson Street. Today that’s the bulk of
Allentown. Back then, it’s where Allen domiciled his short
-horn cattle. According to oral tradition, as the cattle trod
from Main Street to the pasture at what is now Days Park,
the meandering path they created eventually became Allen
Street.
Allen’s home on the West Side overlooking the
Niagara River was demolished in 1911.
In 1832, when Buffalo was incorporated as a city, the
wagon trail known as Old Guide Board Road (now North
Street), became the city's northernmost boundary. The
swelling population of the city began looking northward
for land, and Allen began selling off portions of his 29
acres, making a tidy profit and bringing in the earliest residents of our neighborhood.
But our neighborhood wasn’t his main focus by any
means.
In 1836 Allen bought the home and 3¼-acre estate of
War of 1812 hero Gen. Peter B. Porter on the banks of the
Niagara River between West Ferry and Breckenridge
streets. It was a Federal-style house with parapet gables,
four chimneys symmetrically arranged, and an elliptical
window between the chimney pairs on the gable end.
Grover Cleveland was living there as a teenager when
Allen convinced him not to move to Ohio, but to remain in
Buffalo to pursue a legal career which led to politics and
eventually the White House.
Once called the “most historic house in Buffalo,” the
Porter-Allen home was demolished in 1911 for a factory.
At the time, the Buffalo Evening News called the demolition “the crime of 1911.”
Allen also owned an 800-acre farm on Grand Island
called “Allenton,” which is now part of Beaver Island State
Park. Allen’s Grand Island villa, River Lea, a gracious
frame Italianate built around 1849, was nearly demolished
in 1962 when the State Parks Commission attempted to
expand Beaver Island’s golf course. Through the efforts of
preservationists, the house was spared and today operates
Page 9
At left is one of Allen’s designs for a farm cottage, and on the right, his design for a Southern plantation
house. Both were published in 1852 in his book “Rural Architecture”.
as a museum.
Allen planted thousands of fruit trees on his Grand Island farm ̶ by his calculation, 2,000 apple trees, 1,000
pear, 600 quince, 400 cherry, 300 plum and 200 peach.
In 1851 he introduced something new to Buffalo ̶ Bartlett pears.
Long before Garden Walk and Buffalo in Bloom, the
Buffalo Horticultural Society existed. It was formed in
June 1845, and Allen was its first president. Soon he relinquished the post to become president of the New York
State Agricultural Society.
In 1851, Allen wrote the book “Rural Architecture”
with assistance of Buffalo architects Otis & Brown and got
it published in 1852.
In 1853, Allen pursued landscape ideas from leading
figures in the field such as Englishman Charles Smith. He
published Smith’s work called “Landscape Gardening” and
added his own notes for adapting Smith’s vision to American soil.
Allen retired from active management of Allenton in
the 1860s, after which it was managed by his son.
That gave him time to do
other things. He lectured
at Yale on apples, where
he pronounced New
York’s Wayne County as
the best apple producing
region in the world.
He published two books
within four years,
“American Cattle” in
1868 and “History of the
Short-Horn Cattle” in
1872.
Allen and his wife are
Allen died in 1890.
buried in Forest Lawn.
Earlier in life, he had
founded a cemetery on Delaware Avenue near North Street
and later became a trustee of Buffalo’s premier Victorian
rural cemetery, Forest Lawn. He planted a number of trees
in Forest Lawn, where he is buried.
His association with trees was noted in his obituary in
the Buffalo Express which said: “It is largely due to his
efforts and to the zeal displayed by him that Buffalo was so
well provided with beautiful shade trees.” The newspaper
said Allen should be remembered for his love of the City
of Buffalo and his ardent promotion of its progress.
Although during his lifetime he was known for his abrupt speech, he was also honest, kind, noble, generous, and
a man who “could not do a mean thing” according to his
obit in the Buffalo Courier.
Allen and his wife had six children, but only two lived
to adulthood: William Cleveland Allen, and Margaret Gertrude Allen.
And although Allen himself never lived in Allentown,
his granddaughter, May Constance Allen, was a proud resident during the 1960s when the neighborhood first experienced resurgence. The furniture she owned once belonged
to Allen and she said it allowed her to feel connected to
him.
She was 12 years old when Allen died. Of all the memories May had of her grandfather, her most vivid had to do
with trees. She recalled being driven in a very handsome
carriage with a big bay horse to Forest Lawn cemetery with
her grandfather. With great satisfaction, he pointed out to
her the great variety of trees he had planted there and told
her how much he had enjoyed watching them grow.
This story is primarily sourced from Christopher N.
Brown’s research paper “The Downing Brothers and Lewis F. Allen.” The full 58-page paper is posted at:
http://buffaloah.com/h/brown_C/Allen-Downing.pdf
Page 10
Neighborhood news notes
Allen Street project delayed a year
Reconstruction of Allen Street was supposed to begin
this spring, but the whole project will be delayed a year.
The problem is that there’s no consensus in the community on what the design should be.
In a split vote, the Association board advocated wider
sidewalks that would accommodate more street amenities
but mean the end of 46 parking spaces on the south side of
the street.
The city and its planning firm proposed wider sidewalks, wider traffic lanes and left-hand turning lanes that
would eliminate 88 parking spaces.
A group of residents and Allen Street business owners
objected to eliminating any parking.
Members of the Association’s Allen Street Improvement Committee have met with officials and engineers to
try to reach a compromise design. The committee will next
meet with representatives of those concerned about the loss
of parking and present options for a compromise that
would dramatically reduce any loss of parking.
It is hoped that all parties can agree on design changes
and that a new plan can be presented to the community as a
whole to move the project forward. Meanwhile, work will
continue on replacing underground utilities.
neighborhood’s coordinator, Daniel Culross, at
[email protected], or 888-0733.
Besides Re-Tree, this effort is sponsored by the Allentown Association, Kleinhans Community Organization,
GObike Buffalo, the Buffalo Green Fund and the city.
Farmers market will begin May 22
The Allentown Farmers Market will be back this year
after a successful inaugural last year.
The opening will be May 22, the Friday before Memorial Day, too early to offer much homegrown produce, but a
great time to embrace Spring by buying seedlings, flowers
and plants for gardens.
It’s held 4-7 p.m. Fridays in Elmwood Park, in front of
the Adult Learning Center on Elmwood between Virginia
and Edward streets. Parking is available behind the school
and in the Edward St. lot of the Workplace Literacy Center.
Vendors offering locally grown produce, locally
sourced foods, or any local artisans wishing to participate
should call the Association at 881-1024 to get registration
material.
Membership dinner is April 21
The Allentown Association’s annual Spring Dinner will
be held Tuesday, April 21, in the Hamlin House in Troop I
Post American Legion, 432 Franklin St. Cash bar opens at
6 p.m.; dinner service begins at 7.
Tickets are $25 and are payable at the door, but reservations are necessary. Please leave a message at 881-1024
with your name, contact information and number of tickets
needed.
Again this year, meals will be served buffet style, with
diners serving themselves at their leisure, rather than being
called up table by table. This is convenient for people who
need to leave early or want to converse longer at the bar.
Help plant trees on April 18
Volunteers led by Re-Tree WNY have helped plant
more than 26,000 trees since the devastating October Surprise snowstorm of 2006. Allentowners have always been
part of the effort.
Another neighborhood planting is slated 9-11 a.m. Saturday April 18 (rain date 2 p.m. April 19).
Show up at the Wadsworth side of First Presbyterian
Church, and feel free to enlist friends, neighbors, and kids
over 10 years old to come along. No experience is necessary. The trees are bare-rooted, so they weigh less than 20
pounds.
Wear a warm jacket, gloves, and sturdy shoes or
boots. If you can bring a shovel, wheel barrow, and/or
sledge hammer, please do. Please direct questions to our
The new larger cafeteria will accommodate an expansion of grades.
EVCS expansion nears completion
The Elmwood Village Charter School on Days Park, is
nearing completion of a major expansion that will allow it
to offer two full classes of students from kindergarten
through the 8th grade.
The addition is sensitive to the school’s original 1957
design and to the location on Days Park. A second story
was added above the single floor wing on the East side of
the existing school while a second floor as well as a bumpout was added to the West side of the building. The entire
building is now two stories.
Along with new classroom space, the expansion refreshed rest rooms, adds large multipurpose rooms to accommodate dance classes and other programs, plus added
storage rooms and a larger cafeteria on the first floor to
accommodate an increase in students.
The Allentown Neighbor / Spring 2015
Page 11
Board adopts $89,663 budget
10,000 visitors and was a great success, the second SaturThe Association’s board of directors has adopted a 2015 day of October conflicts with arts and crafts festivals in
Ellicottville and Letchworth State Park.
budget projecting revenue of $89,663 and expenses of
Changing the date may attract more vendors and an
$89,550.
even bigger crowd to Allen Street.
In 2014 the Association took in $89,183 and spent
“Expect the same sort of stimulating entertainment and
$81,736, leaving a surplus of $7,447.
the same family atmosphere as last year,” said Festival
Major drivers of the 2015 budget are:
chair Jim Nash. “We will also be co-sponsoring the mornThe Allen West Festival is expected to build upon
ing Buffalo Bike Ride and hope to have a 5K run in the
past success with projected profit of $21,000 (revenues of
$36,500; expenses of $15,500). Allen West has planned for afternoon,” he said.
He will be assisted this year by two Association direc145 vendor booths this year, in line with last year’s 144.
tors
who have agreed to be co-chairs: Trina Burruss and
The Harvest Festival will be going into its second
Bob
Fink. Angela Hastings of the Elmwood Village Assoyear in 2015 with expected profit of $10,000 (revenues prociation
has agreed to coordinate performing artists.
jected at $20,000; expenses at $10,000). The new festival
Anyone
interested in volunteering or exhibiting should
was a financial success in its first year in 2014, bringing in
contact the Association at 881-1024 or at
revenue of $23,422 against expenses of $16,530.
Membership continues to be a focus for the Associa- [email protected].
tion. The 2015 goal for membership revenue is $10,500
First Friday schedules set
secured from both businesses and individuals. The board
Galleries will be open as usual on Allentown First Frihas approved a membership cocktail party to drive further
days
in March and April, some offering wine,
music
engagement in the Allentown Association and provide apand
snacks.
But
there
won’t
be
any
special
street
activities
preciation for partners and donors.
until May, when a section of Allen will be closed to traffic
for an Artists and Cyclists event. (The snow should be gone
Fall Festival will be held Oct. 3
The Allentown Association will hold its Fall Festival on by then.) Details of the event are still being worked out, but
in the past, there’s been music, bicycling and artsy activiSaturday, Oct. 3 this year, a week earlier than last year.
ties. Association director Henry Raess of GObike Buffalo
Although 2014's inaugural event attracted more than
is organizing it all.
Kleinhans to install better seating
Kleinhans Music Hall will get seating enhancements
this summer, to be completed in time for the start of the
2015-16 Buffalo Philharmonic season and the 75th anniversary celebration of the hall on Oct. 12.
There’ll be more leg room, some seats will be wider, a
wheelchair seating area will be added on the main floor ̶
and up in balcony, aisles will be wider and will have hand
rails.
Seating capacity will be reduced to 2,400 from the current 2,800, providing a more comfortable and intimate concert experience.
All this is part of a five-year, $4 million renovation that
has included expanding the lower-level women's lavatory,
removing carpeting under seats on the main floor, repairing
woodwork, installing a new HVAC system, updating electrical and adding energy-efficient lighting.
The money for all this comes from the city, the state and
donors. To learn how to contribute, contact Sarah Carney at
[email protected].
Jim Nash to serve on BNMC board
Ed Castine, past president of the Association, is stepping down from the board of directors of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The Association’s Executive Committee has chosen director Jim Nash to take the BNMC
seat. Nash works in IT at the UB School of Medicine.
ALLENTOWN ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FORM
NAME: ____________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE: __________________________ EMAIL: ____________________________________________
If business, name of manager or owner: _______________________________________________________
Please select a contribution level:
□ Benefactor
□ Patron
□ Contributing
□ Sustaining
□ Business
□ Family
□ Individual
□ Student/Senior
$1000
$ 500
$ 250
$ 100
$ 50
$ 40
$ 35
$ 20
Optional activities/committees you’d like to help with:
□ Beautification
□ First Fridays
□ Housing/Historic Preservation
□ Membership/PR
□ Business development
□ Crime prevention
□ Allen West Festival (adjacent to Allentown Art Festival)
□ Hot dog stand at Allentown Art Festival
□ Special fundraising events
□ Nomination to the board of directors
All contributions are tax-deductible. Please make a check payable to: The Allentown Association, Inc.
Mail to: Allentown Association, 14 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.
Please feel free to enclose a note with any ideas you have for improving the neighborhood, or suggestions for
strategies you think the Association should be pursuing or additional activities you think it should engage in.