Author: Buffalo Rising

Sometimes the authors at Buffalo Rising work on collaborative efforts in order to cover various events and stories. These posts can not be attributed to one single author, as it is a combined effort. Often times a formation of a post gets started by one writer and passed along to one or more writers before completion. At times there are author attributions at the end of one of these posts. Other times, “Buffalo Rising” is simply offered up as the creator of the article. In either case, the writing is original to Buffalo Rising.

A two-story addition is proposed to an existing two-family, two-story residence at 40-42 College Street. The property is within the Allentown Preservation District and requires variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals and Preservation Board approvals. The property owner, Kevin Bescker, is seeking a variance for a garage setback 17 feet from the front façade rather than the 20 feet required and a reduced build-to front façade percentage of 49 percent where 65 percent is required. Abstract Architecture is working on the plans. From the Project Application: This is a double wide lot, and the desire is to create an…

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Douglas Development has reached a milestone on its Elmwood/Bidwell project.  Construction on the site has advanced to the point where steel braces on the historic façade along Elmwood are no long necessary.  The downtown-centric developer is making slow but steady progress on the mixed-use project. Construction on five-story addition to the rear of the historic facades is now at the third floor.  Existing properties along Bidwell and Potomac are being incorporated into the project. Fifty apartments are planned along with 7,275 sq.ft. of commercial space. Carmina Wood Design is collaborating with Antunovich Associates on the project.

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McGuire Development Company and Blackfish Investments continue work on The Rails, a new apartment complex on Main Street near the LaSalle Light Rail Station. The project combines preservation of two existing buildings with new construction to create 312 apartments,1,500 sq.ft. of retail space, and 3,675 sq.ft. of office space.  The project represents the transformation of a former industrial site with shuttered buildings and an abandoned rail line. Previous site occupants include the Automatic Transportation Company, a manufacturer of industrial lift trucks, tractors, and locomotives, even a compact electric car, and the McDougall-Butler Company, a paint manufacturer known for their giant revolving…

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A prominent Allentown building is in line for a ground floor upgrade.  Property owner Right Way Inc. is seeking Preservation Board approval to replace the storefront system at 191 Allen Street. The building is located at the northeast corner of Allen and Elmwood Avenue and is home to Casa Azul. The plans by Twin City glass call for removing the existing windows and panel system and replacing them with fit-to-form larger clear glazed windows with dark bronze aluminum framing.  A faux brick knee wall is also planned. The work will include both the Allen and Elmwood facades.

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An Allentown salon is in line for façade upgrades.  Gina Gatto, owner of Magnolia Beauty Salon at 57 Elmwood Avenue, is seeking Preservation Board approval to remove siding and trim from the commercial portion of the building and replace it with Hardiboard siding, remove a circular facade feature, replace windows and doors and upgrade the business’ signage. Anowara Architecture designed the project. The project is benefitting from funding from the Buffalo Main Street Initiative (BMSI) administered by the Allentown Association. Property owners may apply for up to $50,000 in BMSI grant funds, per building, not to exceed 75 percent of…

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The University at Buffalo Center for the Arts (CFA) is on a roll. In a season that includes jazz, opera, dance and comedy, the CFA will present GRAMMY Award-winning Nickel Creek on Saturday, March 23rd in its acoustically perfect Mainstage Theatre located on its North Campus. It’s hard to believe it was four years ago when live concerts, club gigs and all indoor performances came to a screeching halt. For many musicians, artists, writers, actors and other creative people, the shutdown and isolation of the pandemic sparked new ways of expression and collaboration. Pre-pandemic, the idea of composing while “zooming”…

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Work is nearing the home stretch on PUSH Buffalo’s West Side Homes project. The $21 million affordable housing development encompasses the substantial rehabilitation of two buildings and the new construction of fourteen buildings totaling 49 units.  The new buildings are being constructed on 17 scattered vacant lots. Stieglitz Snyder Architecture and eco_logic Studio teamed up on the plans. 625-629 West Avenue pictured here will include six one-bedroom and nine two-bedroom apartments in a three-story building. A community room is planned for the first floor and community porches would be available on the second and third floors. Six on-site parking space…

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Work on the Niagara Street Studio complex at 1155 Niagara Street looks nearly complete.  Great Point Capital Management is developing the multi-phased project that was announced in 2020.  Phase one includes 51,350 sq.ft. of space including a 20,000 sq.ft. main studio and two 5,000 sq.ft. studios.  The balance of the building will be support space. Initial work is focused on a 3.7-acre vacant parcel located at the southeast corner of Niagara and W. Ferry Street. A Rich Products manufacturing facility on the property was demolished in 2018. Future plans call for a second large studio and a parking and retail structure…

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Ujima Company, Inc, a Black-led, multi-ethnic professional theatre company whose mission is to preserve and perpetuate African American theatre, kicks off Women’s History Month with the premiere of its “HERStory” series, a collection of three intimate one-act plays by women of color playwrights. This powerful series opens tonight, Friday, March 8, and runs for three weekends at the Lorna C. Hill Theatre. Ujima is a Swahili word meaning “collective work and responsibility,” and it is from this tenet that Ujima Theatre Company derives its purpose. Founded in 1978, Ujima serves as a platform for Black artists and uses theatre to address social…

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In Buffalo’s startup landscape, Verivend has emerged as a beacon of innovation in the fintech sector, achieving a significant milestone in its journey towards revolutionizing the trillion-dollar private capital space. With the backing of Launch NY’s Investor Network, Verivend successfully secured $125,000, propelling the company to meet its ambitious $1 million fundraising goal for its seed extension round. This achievement underscores a burgeoning trend of regional investment synergy, spotlighting Upstate New York as a fertile ground for burgeoning startups. Launch NY’s Investor Network, which includes more than 300 accredited investors, plays a crucial role in connecting capital with promising startups…

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