You may have noticed the
many recent improvements along Main Street between Florence and Leroy. Several
buildings have undergone some incredible transformations in the past few weeks
thanks to the efforts of the Parkside Community Association (PCA) and grant
money from the Main Street grant program.
In late 2010 the PCA received a grant award of $500,000 from the State Office of Community Renewal. The state Main Street Grant Program is used to encourage rehab of mixed-use residential and commercial districts. Grant monies from the program have been utilized throughout Buffalo including this stretch along Main Street, the Larkin District, and on Grant Street.
The grant covers 75% of the
cost and the building owner covers the remaining 25%. The results speak for
themselves. Take a look below at the image of The Oakwood (2297-2303 Main)
before the renovations. The change is nothing short of dramatic and really brings
attention to the historic details of this fabulous building.
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| Google Maps image of The Oakwood before renovations |
Paul Burgio, owner of Burgio’s
TV, has been in The Oakwood since 1981 and purchased the building in 1991. He
has some fond memories when film crews descended upon Buffalo to film The Natural with Robert Redford. Paul
has a handful of great candid shots of the set and crew when they were filming
at the Parkside Candies building across the street. He was amazed at the level
of detail for the scene, which included several period correct, but totally
fake newspapers that were for sale at the newsstand in the scene.
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| Several photos of The Oakwood during the filing of The Natural |
The Oakwood was built in
1923 and unfortunately I have not had a chance to delve too much into the
history of the building. It was used as a car dealership during the 1950’s when
“Saul’s Studebaker” occupied the building and later changed hands to “Bilsco
Imports” who remained during the 1960s and 1970s. Four apartments are upstairs
in the former administrative offices and feature some incredible woodwork. Now
that the windows have been completely replaced, the views of Main Street are
quite fantastic.
In addition to the Oakwood,
five other buildings have or are in the process of undergoing renovations. The
other buildings include the former Parkside Candies building (2302), Eyecare
Professionals (2290), 2323 Main Street, and 2288 Main Street. Tony’s Ranch
House at 2285 is also one of the six buildings that has received funding and
was recently highlighted on Buffalo Rising.
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| View of Main Street from the new windows in one of the apartments upstairs. Notice the retention of the original transom glass above. |
There was also a small pot
of funds for improvements for the public right of way. Thirty granite tablets
have been ordered for installation on both sides of Main Street. The tablets
will depict historical scenes from before European settlers up to present day
and will likely be installed in the next two weeks. A series of street banners
will also be installed that have already been approved by the Common Council. A
large mural is planned for the side of The Oakwood and the other side of the
street facing School 54. The vacant lot next to The Oakwood will be converted
into a small Peace Park for the neighborhood to enjoy. A ribbon cutting
ceremony is planned for early Fall.
I'll be getting in contact with some of the other building owner for some follow up posts to highlight their progress as well. For additional photos of The Oakwood, click here.
I'll be getting in contact with some of the other building owner for some follow up posts to highlight their progress as well. For additional photos of The Oakwood, click here.
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