The Allentown Neighbor December 2015; January, February 2016 Volume 50, Number 5 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 Goals for the new year aim to build a future on our past By JONATHAN WHITE Allentown Association President To some it may seem that the Allentown Association, with so much organizational history rooted in historic preservation, focuses solely on the past. But for our mem- bers, through the leadership of the elected Board of Direc- tors, the focus is firmly on the future. The quest of the Allentown Association is to recognize, preserve and learn from our past so that future generations can benefit from our efforts. With that in mind, the goals of Jonathan White at the annual membership meeting Oct. 12. the Association in 2016 are forward-looking across the spec- Association board elects White trum of all that we do: Preservation workshops. With the tremendous influx president for a third term of new homeowners and the advent of speculative investors in the neighborhood, the Association will partner with Jonathan White will serve a third term as president of Preservation Buffalo Niagara to initiate a series of educa- the Allentown Association following his re-election by tional workshops that will bring together all of Buffalo’s the board of directors at its November meeting. local preservation districts. The goal is to help residents and Other officers are: Andrew Pace, first vice president; property owners across the city build on the success and les- Seth Amman, second VP; Laine Walnicki, third VP; sons learned by the Association over 50 years and to foster a Kelly Martin, treasurer, and Jillian Stiefel, secretary. new generation of preservation advocates. Under the Association’s by-laws, directors are elected The workshops will touch on the important things own- by the members at the annual membership meeting, and ers of historic properties need to know, such as appropriate then the directors elect officers at a subsequent board Continued on Page 10 Continued on Page 7 Coit House is 200 years old, a triumph for historic preservation By RICHARD R. HAYNES survive expansions, being pulled by horses Imagine Buffalo 200 years ago, in 1815. over a mile to 414 Virginia St. in Allentown, Burned to the ground by the British the multiple owners – some attentive and others year before, the village is struggling to re- neglectful – conversion to a rooming house build. and then back to a single-family home, and a George Coit, 25, and his friend and busi- couple of demolition threats. It would help ness partner Charles Townsend, 29, who had engender Buffalo’s preservation movement lost their drug store in the burning, return to and stand as a tribute to what grassroots com- re-establish their business and to move ahead munity action can achieve. in life. With so much of Buffalo’s architectural Coit builds a two-story Federal-style heritage having been destroyed, today it sur- house at the corner of Pearl and Swan streets. v i ves as the oldest house in the city. George Coit (1790-1865) Over the next 200 years that house would Continued on Pages 8 and 9 For updates, follow on Twitter @AllentownAssoc a n d like the Association on Facebook. Page 2 Neighborhood news notes . . . ner of Allen and lower College streets, which has second- floor apartments and street-level storefronts. 4 serious crime incidents reported Roosevelt overlooks Delaware Avenue Two home invasions and two armed robberies have A handsome 7½-foot-tall stat- been reported in recent weeks in the neighborhood. ue of Teddy Roosevelt by Mary- The home entries were on Arlington Place and Porter land-based sculptor Antonio Tobi- Avenue; the robberies on lower College Street and the as Mendez went up in September western Allen Street. on the lawn of the Theodore Roo- Try hard not to be a victim. Be alert and not compla- sevelt Inaugural National Historic cent. If you are driving home and see someone who ap- Site, 641 Delaware Ave. pears suspicious, circle the block rather than get out of The $120,000 bronze statue, your car. Keep your outside lights on at night. Get a bur- entitled “The Spirit of Leader- glar alarm system. Watch out for your neighbors. ship,” was paid for by the TR Allentown has largely escaped serious crime in recent Site’s foundation and the Buffalo years, and that has helped make the neighborhood a mag- Renaissance Foundation. It is the net for young workers and families. We don’t want people third of five sculptures planned by the Buffalo Renaissance fearful of visiting or moving here. Foundation in its Downtown Sculptural Art Initiative. “The For emergencies, never be reluctant to dial 911. Spirit of Life” sits on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus For non-emergencies (parking violations, blocked and “The Spirit of Transportation” piece is on Swan Street. driveways etc.), 853-2222. Allentown’s Community Police Zipcar takes over from CarShare Officers are Dan Quintana ([email protected]) and Ken Barney ([email protected]), telephone: 851-5002. Former members of Buffalo CarShare have received For graffiti vandalism, file a report with 311 and send an e- invitations to join Zipcar. CarShare, a non-profit founded mail and picture attachment with date and location to Joyce in 2009, suspended operations June 15 after its insurer can- Emke of the Buffalo anti-graffiti task force, at celed coverage on its 19 vehicles. It had been sharing offic- [email protected]. Email the Association’s Crime es at 14 Allen St. with the Allentown Association. Prevention chair Rik Whitaker with concerns at Zipcar, a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group Inc., entered [email protected]. the area in 2010, providing seven vehicles at the State Uni- versity at Buffalo. Now it expects to have 25 vehicles in Sutton is buying Coatsworth Mansion the area, including at Antiques Allentown, 146 Elmwood; Noel Sutton, Allentown’s lead- Brent Manor, 366 Elmwood; The Mansion, 414 Delaware, ing real estate restorer, has a deal and some on the BNMC. to buy the towering Coatsworth A big benefit to Zipcar membership is that it offers ac- Mansion, 49 Cottage St. cess to more than 10,000 vehicles in more than 470 cities The purchase price is $431,000 and towns across the globe. – $32,000 above the initial asking price – because two other bidders also wanted it, according to Su- san Lenahan of MJ Peterson Real Estate. Built in 1897 in Second Em- pire style, it has 20 rooms and 8,374 square feet of space. “For the most part, the archi- The redesign of the former Alphagraphics site. tectural elements are all there,” The Coatsworth. Sutton told Buffalo Rising. 520 Delaware being re-envisioned “What’s not there I can bring back. I will be creating mul- The old Alphagraphics building at 520 Delaware Ave. tiple luxury units that retain the majestic appeal of the is getting an entirely new façade and interior redesign. The house.” exterior work will cost about $750,000 and should be com- Sutton’s other notable restorations are the Pilgrim pleted shortly, said Ron Alsheimer, CEO of Plaza Group, Building at 228 Allen, the Savoy restaurant at 149 which is hoping to find a medical-related tenant that wants Elmwood Ave., and a multiple-unit home at 364 Hudson to be near the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Interior St. He is currently completing restoration of 52 St. John’s work won’t be completed pending a tenant’s needs and Place and recently started work on the building at the cor- preferences, he said. Page 3 Eisenhardt embarks on 10th year as Association’s executive director On New Year’s Day, Andrew Eisenhardt will begin his tenth year as Executive Director of the Allentown Associa- tion, the longest tenure in the 52-year history of the organi- zation. In that time, he’s been the right-hand man and confi- dant to seven presidents, assisted with every major Associ- ation initiative, worked every festival – and manned the office as the major contact for members and anyone doing business with the Association. You’ll see him at events such as the monthly Litter Mob clean-up. Occasionally, he even volunteers to assist the Allentown Village Society, sponsor of the Allentown Art Festival, with some of their activities. His job isn’t full time – only 20 hours a week – but flexibility is built in because some projects such as the an- nual Allen West Festival require so much of his time. Since the ceiling collapse at the 14 Allen St. office four Andrew Eisenhardt’s shop at 146 Elmwood is a busy place. months ago, the Association has been operating out of Ei- senhardt’s home and shop, Antiques Allentown, 146 Elmwood Ave. Six months later, the board made his job permanent. The damage at 14 Allen will take many months to re- Antiques Allentown specializes in smaller items – pair, and it’s not certain the building owners and the Asso- Primitives to mid-century modern gift-appropriate items – ciation can reach a lease agreement. A committee consist- not major furniture pieces, because Eisenhardt says most ing of Treasurer Kelly Martin, Vice President Seth Am- of his customers are visitors to Buffalo and want to take man and Eisenhardt is looking for alternatives, considering things home with them. Eisenhardt says he chats them up, whether to buy or rent, and thinking about what kind of telling them about Allentown attractions, Explore Buffalo space configuration would be best. tours, and about interesting sites and good restaurants. Meanwhile, Antiques Allentown is open and the Asso- He has donated space next to his store for a Zipcar lo- ciation’s mail and telephone calls go there. cation, making accessibility easy for Allentowners. Eisenhardt opened the business in 2001. He’d had a life What he’s most proud of is that Allen West’s revenues -long interest in antiques. “My dad and I used to go to flea have doubled during his tenure. He and festival chair markets every week when I was a kid,” he said. Gretchan Grobe start work on it six months before it’s As an Allentown business owner, he was recruited for a staged on the second full weekend of June. seat on the Association board in 2004. At the time there “Probably a third of my work hours are devoted to Al- was much squabbling and dissention. Over the next two len West,” he said. “But it pays for itself.” In 2014, the years, four different executive directors came and went. event earned a net profit of $24,500. “I said, all right, I’ll take the job on an interim basis,” Since the Association operates almost exclusively as a he recalled. So on Jan. 1, 2007, he took leave of absence volunteer organization, Eisenhardt is the only employee. from the board and started as executive director. “We wouldn’t want to try to get along without him,” President Jonathan White said. Susan Lenahan, CRS, CBR Associate Broker 2007-2012 Agent of the Year 431 Delaware Ave., Buffalo [email protected] www.bnmc.org www.susanlenahan.com Your City Expert! Page 4 The Allentown Neighbor / Winter 2015-16 Galleri es, restaurants, coffee shop, therapy center open By PETE CARROLL Caffèology, owned by Hamada Saleh, What’s new in Allentown? A is open seven days a week from 6 new coffee shop, two rebranded res- a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone: 427-3217; on taurants, two new galleries and ̶ the Web at www.caffeology.us. really, really new ̶ a “flotation ther- Fast N’ Tasty is the new name of apy” facility. Gatur’s restaurant at 69 Allen St., Paint the Town has been which has expanded its food offerings opened by Jarael E. Adams at 74 and hours. It’s still run by a family Allen St. Unlike other galleries in from Ethiopia whose restaurant has Allentown’s vibrant art scene, Paint been well-received since opening in the Town features the work of its 2012. owner, a young self-taught Buffalo- In addition to Ethiopian specialties, born artist. it now offers Middle Eastern and Caffeology offers another venue for con- “I’ve been drawing all my life, American dishes including cheese- sumption of upscale coffees and teas. but I took it up seriously three or burgers, subs, French fries and chicken four years ago,” he explains. He wings, $7 vegetarian and $14 halal does portraits and still lifes, using acrylics and graphite. “I meat plates. like to say I’m in my early stage,” he says, generalizing It’s open daily except Sundays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. rather than specializing as he tries different techniques. Monday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and The gallery offers “paint parties” for hobbyists who Saturday. Catering is available. Phone 881-1832. would like to try creating art under Jarael Adams’ eye. Preservation Pub at 948 Main St., was previously The gallery features works of other artists as well. The Miss Kitty’s, then (during the techno-music period) OHM current show is watercolors and pastels by Chao Ding. Ultra Lounge. Owner Roslyn Righetti, who has invested The gallery is open First Fridays, but other hours are considerable sums in the building, decided on the latest varied, so call (716) 465-6682 or 830-6629, before you incarnation after Medical Campus construction made cus- drop in. The website is www.paintthetown716.con. The tomer parking more difficult. email address is [email protected]. Preservation Pub concentrates on serving lunch from 11 Another new gallery, Buen Vivir, 148 Elmwood Ave. a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, including Italian has been opened by the Global Justice Ecology Project, a specialties, and a soup-and-sandwich special (which chang- Buffalo-based non-profit organization working for forest es daily) for $8.95. Gary Tenebra is chef. protection and indigenous people’s rights since 2003, ex- The liquor license has been retained and the pub is open plained Anne Petermann, its executive director. until 2 a.m. Fridays and the first and second Saturday of The gallery’s purpose is educational, promoting the pro- the month. Parking is available through the co-operation of ject’s efforts. The current show highlights the work of Pe- the nearby Salvation Army at its parking lot at 132 North ter Beard, a photographer, artist and conservationist. It will Pearl St. run through Dec. 17. Hours are Tuesday to Friday from A University at Buffalo graduate, Righetti had an earlier 1:30 to 4 p.m., Friday evenings from 6 to 8, and Saturdays career in health-care administration at the Geneva B. from 1 to 3 p.m. In February, an exhibit about the Paris Scruggs Health Care Center and the AIDS Alliance. The December conference on global warming is planned. pub’s phone is 332-0510. Caffèology opened in October at 23 Allen St. at The Flo, a wellness center offering floatation thera- North Pearl Street and has already attracted a busy clien- py, has opened at 230 Allen St., featuring tanks filled with tele. “We’re pulling in more people by the day,” says man- water and up to 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt providing ager Colleen Bennack, next to a sign saying: “We’ve bean buoyancy, relieving back and nerve pain and promoting waiting for you.” physical and emotional health, according to Joseph Fambo, A huge variety of coffees and other drinks are available, who opened the facility with his partner Sam Galbo. using multiple brewing methods, including a strong, cold- The therapy was developed back in the 1950s, says brew coffee which takes 12 hours to make, but you don’t Fambo, who learned its benefits during his previous stress- have to wait long to be served. Expresso lattes are among ful job as a financial advisor and salesman. It promotes the shop’s most popular brews, as well as Guatemalan drip physical and emotional health and is beneficial to athletes, coffee and Rooibos tea. patients of post-traumatic stress disorder or anyone who Also available are frittatas, blueberry and cherry pie and has a stressful job, he says. The facility’s two tanks were other goodies from Sweet Temptations bakery up the street built by Float Lab Technologies of Venice, Calif. at 220 Allen St. On the Web at alteryourflo.com. Call for an appoint- ment at 770-1000. The Allentown Neighbor / Winter 2015-16 Page 5 DIGGIN’ ALLLENTOWN Carriage steps and hitching posts By MAX STEPHAN from another state, or quarried right here in Western New More than a century after horse-and-buggy were re- York. The ores used included brownstone, granite, marble, placed by the automobile, evidence of that era can still be limestone and even quartz. However, the majority did not found in Allentown. Though the only horses seen in con- have to travel far: Medina Sandstone (the same type of ma- temporary Buffalo are those in parades or mounted by po- terial used to build Buffalo’s sidewalks, curbs, and numer- lice officers, the original carriage steps (or carriage stones) ous structures) was utilized most often, and hand-made and hitching posts of the 1800s locally. are here to stay. Though their Hitching posts were also made function is now obsolete, their of Medina Sandstone, yet because presence is best if embraced and they were rather narrow and three honored, since the number is to four feet high, they were far few and their historic value more fragile than the carriage priceless. steps. Most of the stone hitching For those who have never posts have since been broken or heard of these historic artifacts, removed. Of those that still exist, let me explain: Throughout Al- the majority were made of cast lentown, where most of the ex- iron, which should be of no sur- isting homes were built prior to prise since local metal-working the invention of the automobile, factories were part of Buffalo’s it was both a necessity and a industrial period. status symbol to have a carriage A carriage step in front of 163 College St. Carriage steps held an important step on one’s property. The pur- position in American culture as pose of the carriage step or stone was to provide assistance well. According to Craig Garrison, in addition to being a to passengers entering or exiting a buggy or horse. Like- status symbol, the use of carriage steps was meant to be wise, the hitching posts were meant to provide assistance metaphoric of a boy or youngster growing up and when securing one’s horse while visiting friends or neigh- “becoming a man” when one no longer needed to use the bors. stone when entering or exiting a horse or buggy; in con- The majority of property owners in Allentown had their trast, girls and women were expected to use the stones in- own carriage step. And just as nearly every house in Allen- definitely. town was meant to have its own identity, many carriage Clearly, carriage stones hold valuable history and sym- steps did the same – some far more elaborate and ornamen- bolism of Buffalo’s past. The reason why Allentown has tal than others: the carriage steps and hitching posts were a lucked out on holding onto some of its historic carriage more public method of expressing one’s status in society. stones and hitching posts is partly based on the activism of If one could afford custom-made stones, oftentimes the concerned citizens and organizations, including the Allen- family name and/or street address were carefully chiseled town Association. Their presence is yet another subtle re- into its face – the side visible from the street. minder of historic Buffalo’s rich culture. The raw material from which carriage steps were hand- Max Stephan is chair of the Association’s Beautifica- made varied, depending if the stones had been imported tion Committee and owner of Allentown Lancscape LLC. LOVEJOY PIZZA 900 Main St. 883-2323 We Deliver www.lovejoypizza.com Page 6 The Allentown Neighbor / Winter 2015-16 Calendar of Winter Events Allendale Theater, 203 Allen St. Theatre of Youth lations by Colleen Toledano, through Dec. 31. For infor- presents “A Little House Christmas” for age 5 and up, Dec. mation, call 984-9572. 4 to 20. “Number the Stars,” age 8 and up Feb. 6 and 7; Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, 220 North “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” for age 7 and up, St., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, Robert Fulton and March 11 through April 3. For information and tickets, call the U.S. Navy, through December. For information call 885 884-4400, see www.theatreofyouth.org. -1986. Allentown Association, 14 Allen St. Christmas tree Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo Philharmonic Orches- lighting, Dec. 4, Allen and Park Sts.; Board of Directors tra classical concerts: “Prokofiev’s Piano,” Peter Boyer, meetings: Dec. 8, 7 p.m., Medical Campus Innovation Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Dec. 5, 8 p.m., Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m.; Center; Jan. 12, 7 p.m., Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site; JoAnn’s Classical Christmas, Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 12, Feb. 9, site to be determined. For information call 881- 8 p.m.; Happy Birthday Mozart, Salieri, Hayden, Mozart, 1024, see www.allentown.org. Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m., Jan. 16, 8 p.m.; Tchaikovsky’s Violin Art Dialogue Gallery, 5 Linwood Ave., Tuesday to Concerto, Jan. 30, 8 p.m., Jan. 31, 2:30 p.m.; “Watts Plays Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Len Beethoven,” Barber, Beethoven, Bartok, Feb. 20, 8 p.m., Kagelmacher, photographs, Nov. 20 to Jan. 8. Small Cali- Feb. 21, 2:30 p.m. Pops series: Holiday Pops with Buffalo fornia works by Edward G. Bisone, Jan. 12 to March 25. Philharmonic Chorus, Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19, 8 p.m.; For information call 885-2251, see artdialoguegallery.com. Great Ladies of Swing with Dee Daniels, Jan. 23, 8 p.m.; Artists Group Gallery, 1 Linwood Ave. Tuesday Chris Botti, Feb. 13, 8 p.m.; A Symphonic Tribute to John through Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 Denver, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. Children’s concert, Jingle Bell p.m. Annual Artful Gifts, through Dec. 30; Annual mem- Jam, Dec. 13, 2:30 p.m. For tickets call 885-5000 or see bers’ non-juried exhibition, Jan. 12 to Feb. 12; Members’ www.bpo.org. Buffalo Chamber Music Society concerts: juried exhibition, traditional works Feb. 19 to March 18. Christopher O’Riley and Matt Haimovitz, Dec. 1, 3 p.m., For information call, 885-2251 or see wnyag.com. and Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Jupiter String Quartet, Jan. 12, 8 p.m. Betty’s restaurant, 370 Virginia St. at College St. Danish String Quartet, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. For tickets call 462- “The Way It Goes,” drawings and paintings by Jody Selin, 4939 or see www.bflochambermusic.org. through Jan. 24. Nina Freudenheim Gallery, Hotel Lenox, 140 North Buen Vivir gallery, 148 Elmwood Ave, Tuesday to St. Tuesday through Friday 10 to 5, Saturdays by appoint- Friday, 1:30 to 4 p.m., also Friday, 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 1 ment. “Recap of the Season,” Group exhibition, Dec. 5 to 3 p.m. “End of the Game,” photography by Peter Beard through Jan. 13, Peter Stephens, new work, Jan. 16 through and Orin Langelle, through Dec. 17. Photography suggest- Feb. 24. For information call 882-5777. ed by Paris conference on global warming, Feb. 5 to March Pausa Art House, 19 Wadsworth St., art, music, en- 18. For information call 531-5833, see buenvivirgal- tertainment café, Thursday Friday, Saturday, from 6 p.m. to lery.org. midnight. Genkin Philharmonic, Dec. 4; Mary McMahon, Buffalo Big Print gallery, 78 Allen St. Monday Dec. 5; David DeWitt and Shifting Sands, Dec. 10; Banda through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. “The Power of Motion Manix, Dec. 11; Carina and the Six String Preacher, Dec. … and Stillness,” paintings by Wendy Caldwell Maloney 18; Bobby Millitello Quartet, Dec. 19; Tim Allen and Mike and pottery by Sally Danforth. For information call 884- Williams, Dec. 22. Call 697-9069. See Pausaarthouse.com. 1777. Studio Hart, 65 Allen St. Tuesday through Saturday, El Museo, 91 Allen St., Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Toy Store” group exhibit of art about 5 p.m. “A Community Tribute: The Art of William E. West toys, Nov. 6 through Dec. 20. Elizabeth Switzer and Amy Sr.,” through Dec. 18. For information, call 464-4692. Greenan, new works, Jan. 8 to 30. Craig and Maria Pabico First Friday Gallery Tours, Allentown galleries will Larotonda, mixed media, Feb. 5 through 27. For infor- have extended evening hours, some with new exhibits and mation call 536-8337. receptions, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5. See allentown.org/first- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic fridays. Site, 641 Delaware Ave. Monday, Wednesday, Thurs- day, Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat- Glow and Prism Galleries, 224 Allen St., Tuesday to urday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Victorian Christmas Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. “Plus and Minus,” mixed media luncheons Dec. 8, 9, 11 and dinners Dec. 7, 8 and 10. by Lingxiang Lu, Dec. 4 through Dec. 9. Group exhibition Speaker Nite, Jan. 26 and Feb. 23. Trivia Nite, Feb. 16. Dec. 10 through 31. For information call 983-2112. Call 884-0095 or see www.trsite.org for information. Indigo gallery, 74 Allen St., Tuesday to Friday, noon The Calendar of Events is compiled by Pete Carroll. to 5 p.m., Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. “Flux,” ceramic instal- Email submissions to him at [email protected]. The Allentown Neighbor / Winter 2015-16 Page 7 Three new directors join the Association’s board Continued from Page One amazing place it was back when it was organizes the First Friday Gallery meeting. a bustling city.” Tours that the Allentown Association At the annual membership meeting • Patrick Ryan lives in Parkside sponsors. She is one of the organizers in October, three new directors were with his wife and three young chil- of the June Artisan Market on Allen elected, none of whom actually lives dren, but thinks he spends more time Street that is a First Friday event. in Allentown, but all of whom have in Allentown as owner of Fat Bob’s Although she works at Liazon, a tight connections to it: Smokehouse on Virginia Place. private benefits exchange company, • Christina Kneis lives in North “I take pride in the growth the com- she is an artist who holds a master of Buffalo and is a groomer and manager munity has experienced and feel the fine arts degree from UB and has at Smooches for Pooches. She has strength of the Allentown Association taught as an adjunct at Canisius Col- been volunteering at the Association’s continues to help the neighborhood lege and Villa Maria. Allen West Festival, Fall Festival and prosper by working alongside local “I believe very strongly in the idea Litter Mobs for the past two years, leaders, business owners and commu- of thinking globally and acting local- often enlisting others to help as well. nity residents,” he said. ly,” she said. “It is by our own hands She has also taken photos for the As- He has a degree in accounting from that we can create the sort of neighbor- sociation at these events and helped the University at Buffalo and is a grad- hood we want to live in.” Executive Director Andrew Eisenhardt uate of Leadership Buffalo. Exiting as Association directors are move supplies to them. • Elizabeth Switzer, who lives just Barbara Hart, Steve Earnhardt and “My grandmother taught me the outside Allentown in the Kleinhans Pete Carroll. importance of history and preserving neighborhood, for the past few years Carroll, however, will remain as an it,” she said. “I believe that we need to has been working with the Greater ex-officio (non-voting) director. keep parts of what made Buffalo the Allentown Gallery Association, which Revenues, expenses in line with what had been budgeted Treasurer Kelly Martin reported that the Association’s 2015 budget through the first three quarters of the year was coming out as projected. As of Sept. 30, revenues totaled $60,279 and expenses totaled $59,419, for a net positive position of $861. For the full year, income of $89,663 and expenses of $89,550 had been projected. On the positive side, she said, the Allen West festival had brought in $40,903 in revenues and cost $16,454 in ex- penses, better than what had been budgeted ($36,500 in revenue and $21,000 in expenses. Membership revenues were good, she said, but below what had been budgeted. The Allentown Association: Serving Buffalo’s Great Historic Neighborhood for 50 + years Incorporated in 1963 as a 501(c)3 charitable not-for profit tify the neighborhood; to encourage historic preservation community organization. Our Mission Statement: and property maintenance; to promote appropriate busi- The only purpose of The Allentown Association is to ness development; to fight crime, and to protect and en- serve its community. It does that through efforts to beau- hance Allentown’s unique urban ambiance. OFFICERS: DIRECTORS: Henry Raess, Patrick Ryan, Executive Director: President: Jonathan White Chris Brown, Trina Burruss, Max Stephen, Elizabeth Andrew Eisenhardt First VP: Andrew Pace Bob Fink, Gretchan Grobe, Switzer Second VP: Seth Amman Brian Gould, Stanton Hudson, Ex-officio (non voting): Third VP: Laine Walnicki Christina Kneis, Ekua Mends- Pete Carroll, Caitlin Crowell, Treasurer: Kelly Martin Aidoo, Jim Nash, Christopher Richard Haynes, Elizabeth Secretary: Jillian Stiefel Poole, Kevin Rabener, Licata, Adam Sokol The Allentown Neighbor 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 At age 200, Coit House is on upswing Continued from Page One On Dec. 1 it will have been owned for one year by Tim and Sue-Jolie Boylan, who live in it, run their high- end interior design firm from it, and have the knowledge and skills to make it a showcase. They’ve been restoring original, hand-planed interior doors, which af- ter 200 years were covered with layers of paint and and caulking. They’ve been plastering, painting, upgrading electrical and heating infrastructure, and replacing some 1970s-era faux- historical fixtures. Oh, and insulating. The Boylans moved from Naples, Fla., in time to This is Coit House in its original location at the southeast corner of Pearl and experience last winter’s record cold. Swan streets after undergoing two expansions. “You could put your hand up to the electrical outlets and feel the cold air streaming in,” Sue said. Check out their design firm, “Tres Jolie Maison Inc.” on Facebook to see pictures of their work and interior de- tails of Coit House, including its origi- nal plank wood floors. As for the home’s original owner, Coit became rich after he and Town- send sold their drug store in 1817 and became freight forwarders and ship owners. In 1820, they and others fronted money to clear a channel and build a pier, the beginning of the city’s har- bor, which secured Buffalo’s designa- tion over the adjoining village of Black Rock as the western terminus of the Erie Canal. When the house was moved in 1867 to its present location at 414 Virginia St., When construction began on the Allentown was the outskirts of the city. canal, it was Coit and Townsend who had the contract to dig the Buffalo front entrance is slightly wider than to its current location in 1867, two portion. Once the canal opened in those left of the entrance, an unusual years after Coit’s death. 1825, freight poured in and out of Buf- dissymmetry. This is the result of its The home was first threatened with falo and the freight-forwarding busi- first expansion. It is believed that Coit demolition in the 1930s. The old ness zoomed. bought another house, moved it, and Elmwood Music Hall stood at Through three marriages and eight had it merged onto his. Inside the Elmwood and Virginia, and a new one children, Coit never moved from the house, the interior wall to the right of was needed. Coit House was among house he loved, dying in it in 1865 at the entrance is a foot thick, evidence properties to be demolished to build age 75. He enlarged it twice as his of such a project. the new, bigger music hall. Instead, family and staff of servants grew. Sometime before 1850, Coit added Kleinhans Music Hall went up in 1939 When you look carefully at it to- the third floor over both halves. A at Symphony Circle. day, you can see that the spacing be- porch was also attached, but that was But the house subsequently deterio- tween windows to the right of the gone by the time the house got moved rated under bad owners and by the Pag e 9 late 1960s was again slated for demo- $50,000 repair project. The Landmark lition under the city’s Allentown Lak- Society (today part of Preservation eview Urban Renewal Program. Buffalo Niagara) and Hamilton Hou- That threat led to formation of the ston Lownie Architects provided re- Landmark Society of the Niagara search and structural analysis. Roof- Frontier under Appleton (Tony) Fryer, ing and sheet metal unions provided which acquired the house and then labor. Outokumpu American Brass sold it to owners who worked on it for donated copper for gutters and flash- three decades, but didn’t have the ing. Sanders and Sons volunteered funds to properly restore it. management of the roof repairs. B&L The Allentown Association bought Wholesale Supply donated shingles. it in 1999 with help from the Margaret The city provided additional funding. L. Wendt Foundation, M&T Bank and With the house stabilized, the As- then-Assemblyman Sam Hoyt. sociation sold it in 2006 to an owner Association President Jonathan who undertook some major interior White recalls the dire situation: renovations, including a new kitchen. “The roofing system was severely Now it’s the hands of the Boylans, compromised due to collapsed rafters who love Coit House, are enchanted which caused large depressions in the with Buffalo, and have quickly raised roof surface where water was able to the profile of their business by win- pool and seep into the house. The ning the Most Inventive Design eaves, gutters and roof corners had Award for work at the 2010 Junior holes that allowed water to run freely League Show House and a major into the interior of walls, causing commission at the Electric Tower damage. The southwest corner of the downtown. front wall of the house had actually “The key lesson of the Coit House detached. There were two heating sys- is that preservation is a long-term Sue and Tim Boylan live in Coit House tems, neither of which functioned cor- commitment that requires vigilance and run their high-end interior design rectly, causing pipes to freeze in the and maintenance,” White said. “You firm Tres Jolie Maison Inc. from it, walls that caused additional damage.” cannot restore a property, declare suc- making them the perfect owners for refurbishing the historic residence. The Association launched a cess and walk away.” Historic marker will be installed at ceremony in spring The Allentown Association has raised over $2,300 to 1900 would be the eighth largest in America. Coit operated have a historic marker fabricated and placed in front of his shipping businesses and lived in this modest home until Coit House this spring when Coit descendants can attend. his death in 1865. Major donors are: the Baird Foundation; Preservation The reverse side will say: Buffalo Niagara and Alma C. Owen in honor of Appleton COIT HOUSE, BUILT CIRCA 1815 “Tony” Fryer; and Susie Coit Williams, Karen Coit Wozni- Built shortly after the Burning of Buffalo in December ak and other members of the Coit family in honor of 1814, the George Coit House is the oldest extant home in George Coit. Buffalo. Originally sited downtown at 53 Pearl St. on the The marker will be in the style used by the Buffalo His- southeast corner of Swan St., the house was enlarged and tory Museum for other historic markers in the city. moved to the more residential Allentown section about This is what the first side will say: 1867. By the late 1960s it fell into disrepair and was slated GEORGE COIT, ONE OF BUFFALO’S FOUNDERS for demolition. Appleton (Tony) Fryer purchased and George Coit arrived in Buffalo with his business part- saved the house, beginning Buffalo’s organized historic ner Charles Townsend in 1811. After the British burned preservation movement. The restored house served as a Buffalo during the War of 1812, Coit became a founding family home for three decades but once again fell into dis- father of the City. Possessing capital and an entrepreneuri- repair. The Allentown Association purchased the home in al spirit, Coit raised the fortunes of Buffalo along with his 1999, restored its structural integrity, and then sold it to own. In 1819 Coit, with his partners, signed the promissory continue service as a private residence. note for funds to construct a harbor at Buffalo to serve as For more information about George Coit and the history the western terminus of the Erie Canal. This single act se- of Coit House, google “The Coit House Mystique,” a 31- cured Buffalo’s place as a great and growing city that by page report written in 2007 by Christopher N. Brown. Page 10 Meetings will be set with Allentown block clubs Continued from Page One regularly visit the Association’s Web site and social media renovation materials and the role of the City’s Preservation pages, we will put considerable effort this year into further Board in reviewing work on historic properties. We will improving our communications, including implementation also help property owners understand the financial benefits of a new, more readable email messaging system to send available to them through income tax credits that are avail- information out to our members and friends. able only to owners of property in designated historic dis- Outreach. We will continue to work with elected of- tricts. ficials to advocate for our members and make certain offi- Member services. The coming year will also see us cials are aware of the needs of our community. continue our effort, begun two years ago, to increase ser- We will press the city to prioritize the Allen Street re- vices to members of the Association and to respond to all construction project and explore ways to maintain the en- inquiries within two business days when members come to hanced streetscape for the long term. us for assistance. In addition, we will convene twice-yearly And we will work closely with the Buffalo Police De- meetings with all of the block clubs in Allentown to come partment to further lessen the disruptive consequences of together to discuss issues of common concern and to share alcohol-fueled behavior during and after the St. Patrick’s information learned with other block clubs so that all can Day Parade. The Association has been a regional leader in benefit from the experience of others. the effort to look closely at an earlier closing time for bars Collaboration. In keeping with our goal of the past in Erie County to reduce the destructive behavior that oc- two years to reach out across our borders, our neighbors in curs late at night by intoxicated patrons leaving the bars, Fargo Estates and the Fruit Belt will be invited to partici- and we will continue to advance that effort. pate with us. We have begun discussions to facilitate these We met recently with the owners of a newly proposed meetings in concert with the Buffalo Niagara Medical bar/restaurant in the Puritan building to review their busi- Campus, building on their work to promote the “Four ness plan and – for the first time ever – we were able to get Neighborhoods, One Community” concept around the bor- the Buffalo Common Council to approve the new business ders of the medical campus. with two restrictions that we asked for. First, the approval Communications. For the thousands of people who is for 12 months and must be reapproved annually. It will not be reapproved if it becomes more bar than restaurant, or there is undue police activity or 911 calls. Second, they have to close by 2 a.m. We will support restaurants after meeting with the own- ers and reviewing their business plan, but we will not sup- port taverns that are liquor-only and will do our best to pre- vent them. Events. We will, of course, continue to promote Al- lentown and welcome visitors through our events, includ- ing First Fridays, Allen West, Fall Festival and Historic Tours. We will work to maximize the value of these events through long-term sponsorship agreements, the benefits of which will help the Association to continue its mission for many decades to come. Lavenderandsagesundries.com