This is from a comment left on a CITY Channel Post about Connecticut Street. I thought it deserved it's own post.
From Mark Miremont, a UCLA Masters Film Student grad / film maker who has recenty moved here from LA on why he chose to move his life and career to Buffalo:
Last year, I began to look for an area to serve as a Summer escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Being obsessed with architecture and design, I factored this into my online search, and stumbled upon the site created by Chris Brown- who has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the Klienhans area. Through Chris and a search of MLS listings, I came upon the property on Connecticut next to the new Greater Buffalo Savings Bank site (a space that Polis Realty has since purchased is currently rehabbing).
Exactly a year ago, I flew out to see this property, thinking it would make a great art gallery/production space with an apartment above it. Guess who met me at the door? Harvey Garrett. While the space was not right for me, Harvey took me on a walking tour of the neighborhood showing me the amazing stock of homes.
I spent 3 weeks here in a hotel looking for the right place. Something kept me coming back to Connecticut St. where I met the fantastic people at West Side Neighborhood Housing Services who reinforced my interest in the area.
Driving around on my own, I found a boarded up 1890's cottage that had been vacant for 2 years and had been used as a chop shop for stolen cars in the past. I contacted the realtor and Chris from West Side NHS came with me to take a look at it. Sure, there were boarded up windows and the place was in complete disrepair, but I saw that it had potential.
By now, I knew I wanted to be on the westside of Buffalo and that this place, if nothing else, would serve as a foothold for my move and I would be able to improve the place in the meantime. I bought it, moved here in March and have not looked back since. If anything, I have fallen more and more in love with Buffalo. I've become committed to bringing my friends and other artist to this fantastic city. I run into people who think the Westside is rough. All I can say is they have never lived in Los Angeles! Where else can an artist find affordable housing and such beautiful surroundings?
The natural beauty of Western NY is wonderful secret. The city itself is one of the most visually diverse landscapes in America- perfect for filmmaking. It is somewhat shocking that to the rest of the world, Buffalo is known primarily for it's snow storms, where cities with the same weather, like Toronto, are known for their culture.
If this City were to have a new PR campaign, you would see an influx of outside investment and occupancy that would be staggering. Every month I have 2 or 3 visitors that come out and every single one wants to move here. That says a lot. Affordable, beautiful housing and breathtaking natural beauty are things unique to Buffalo.
While I am still restoring the house I moved into eight months ago, I plan on bringing as many talented people to this wonderful city as I can, and I hope to continue to find more homes to improve and restore.
I wonder if I'd be doing any of this if I hadn't seen Chris Brown's website and if Harvey Garrett hadn't show me around a year ago. The efforts of people like this is what is going to bring new life to this fantastic city.
Mark Miremont - New Buffalo resident