This morning David Torke of fixBuffalo hosted his first Tour
de Neglect since 2010 to highlight the current state of the east side. About
two-dozen people converged at the Hotel Lafayette for a two-hour bike tour for
some noteworthy buildings in need.
The first stop was St. Ann’s
Church at Broadway and Emslie Street. Readers will recall the
fate of this amazing church is still very much in the balance. Next up was
Sacred Heart Church down the street, another former catholic church that has
fallen on hard times.
Revered Kirk abandoned Sacred Heart Church
after the emergency demolition bill arrived for the former school that collapsed
in heavy winds a few years ago. Although a warrant for his arrest has been
out for years and his housing court file is one of the largest around, he
remains a free man. In fact, he now operates at an equally impressive church at
Hertel Avenue and East Street. It’s apparently unpopular to arrest a man of the
cloth so Buffalo’s housing court has practically given up.
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| David forgave our trespasses on the steps of Sacred Heart |
Soon we were headed to the
revitalized Larkin District to discuss the potentially threatened Larkin
Powerhouse. Originally planned for a residential conversion, it’s future
remains uncertain at this time and many fear demolition is coming. Torke was
quick to point out the amazing smokestack that can be seen all around Buffalo
and was once even taller before being truncated after a lighting strike.
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| In the shadow of the Larkin Powerhouse, Torke explained the potential demolition threat |
Things were looking hopeful
when we arrived at the Central Terminal and were granted access to the
impressive concourse. Executive director, Marilyn Rodgers discussed the on
going efforts to revive the art deco landmark like bringing in tenants for the first time in years. Our tour ended on a great
success story with the Wilson Street farm. The urban farm occupies twenty-five
contiguous city lots and the land agreement between the family and the city was
in large part due to Torke’s efforts.
If you missed out on this amazing
event, don’t fret because it will be happening again as part of the Congress for New Urbanism conference next
month. Be sure to clear your calendar for June 7th at 12:30 and meet
at the Hotel Lafayette. Check out the whole album of today's tour on my Ipernity page here.
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