The history of our neighborhood is fascinating and we love sharing it! We offered Jane’s Walk in May, a bike tour in June and now we are collaborating with Explore Buffalo for more tours, starting in August.
We’re thrilled with results from a Buffalo Main Streets Initiative grant we secured with the help of PUSH Buffalo a few years ago which resulted in a historic district: Upper Black Rock.
Blue skies, river and wastewater treatment – it’s all connected and of utmost importance to our environment and health.
We were treated to an exceptional tour of the Sewer Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant by Alex Emmerson including an introduction to overall operation by plant supervisor, Mike Letina. Participants on the tour came from a wide variety of backgrounds, including a chemical engineer student at UB, employee of the Land Trust and curious city residents. It was fascinating to all.
We learned about sludge vs FOG (fats, oils, grease), WAS (waste activated sludge) and Mixed Liquor. Interested? Check out this messaging video made by New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA). And/or stay tuned for our next Vision Niagara tour later this year!
We’re pleased to showcase our neighbor, Sports City Pizza Pub! Mike Rizzo and his son, also Mike Rizzo, created a great spot on Niagara Street with possibly the best chicken wings and pizza as well as an impressive line up of beers on tap. With multiple wide screens, it’s a great place to view sports events with friends and family.
What four words describe your project?
Pizza, Wings, Sports, & Beer
Describe the work you do and the impact you’re trying to make:
We provide a neutral location where anyone from the blue collar worker to the company CEO can come down, enjoy a simple meal and relax with a cold beer and friends.
What brings you to the Niagara Street Corridor?
The growth and potential for an area that’s had so much to offer.
What are you noticing in Buffalo that deserves more attention?
The historical corporation into what is being newly built and the preservation efforts without standing in the way of growth
What’s your favorite number & why?
1407, that’s where you’ll find the best pizza on Niagara St!
This month, we present our interview with new neighbors: Love In Motion Yoga!
Located at 1250 Niagara Street.
VN: What four words describe your project?
yoga, movement, community, collaboration,
VN: Describe the work you do and the impact you’re trying to make:
We bring yoga to the community – from basics to upper level classes, we make yoga accessible and fun, and collaborate with other business to share different ways to move with our students and promote the buffalo business community.
VN: What brings you to the Niagara Street Corridor?
We love the feel of the neighborhood.
VN: What are you noticing in Buffalo that deserves more attention?
The collaboration of small businesses – this uniting of places that could normally be competitors, and their owners recognizing that we’re stronger when we’re allied together. Also the idea of paying it forward – from long term partnerships with local charities to contributing to charitable and community-boosting events, people are looking for more fulfillment and a higher purpose, and using whatever platform available to make that happen.
VN: What’s your favorite number & why?
108 – it’s an auspicious number in yoga
June 3rd, 2017 from 4-6 pm
Broderick Park
(Foot of West Ferry Street)
Buffalo Quarters Historical Society invites all to attend an Interfaith Consecration Ceremony to recognize the historical significance of Broderick Park and the role it played in the Underground Railroad.
City planners need to hear from you now as final designs are drawn up May and June 2017.
This month’s interview is with Bernice Radle of Buffalove Development, whose office is in Upper Black Rock on Niagara Street. Bernice partners with Michael Plyter (Construction) and Peggy Gans (Broker).
What four words describe your project?
Comprehensive Neighborhood Development
Describe the work you do and the impact you’re trying to make:
Buffalove aims to buy, renovate and rent vacant historic properties in Buffalo in a way that embraces the historic character, ups the energy efficiency while keeping the projects affordable for our community. We have several properties on the West Side that we’re working on bringing back to life. It’s exciting and fun!
What brings you to the Niagara Street Corridor?
We love the feel of the neighborhood.
What are you noticing in Buffalo that deserves more attention?
Small businesses all around Buffalo deserve more attention.
What’s your favorite number & why?
716 … because it’s Buffalo’s area code AND my birthday!
helping out at the clean up
The turn out for our Brush Up Broderick event on Earth Day, April 22nd, was amazing. We don’t have a final count yet, but over 50 folks (including the mother/daughter team pictured above) came out to help us pick up trash as well as weed and mulch all the beds.
The job was fun and easy because of all the help. Everyone was enthusiastic about it. We saw some folks who were just out enjoying the park who were curious about what was going on and joined in. Some told us that they often visit the park and would be happy to help again.
We had lots of wheelbarrows and shovels, thanks to Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper and a few neighbors, to move around the mulch but could have used more – who knew?
Could you give us some feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Here’s the link to a few questions.
A big thanks to Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeeper, Rich Products, GoBike Buffalo, East Side Bike Club, Buffalo United Front, Yelp Buffalo, Visit Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo State College, West Side & Black Rock Riverside NHS, Bootleg Bucha, and Community Beer Works.
We’re excited to participate this year, once again, with Jane’s Walk on Sunday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. Meet us at Broderick Park for an illuminating stroll where you can learn about the history and culture of the neighborhood. We’ll take short and refreshing breaks at a couple of our breweries. Stay tuned: details will be posted soon here.
Loving the sunsets on Niagara Street – as seen through the renovation work at the Mentholatum. Buffalo Rising recently wrote up the history of Mentholaturm and the building – check it out here.
