The fate of a century-old single-family home in the Fruit Belt neighborhood is getting attention from preservationists determined to prevent another demolition in the city.
Owner Michelle Mayo purchased the house at 74 Lemon St. from the city for $16,500 at a foreclosure auction in December, but then found it to be much more damaged than she anticipated. So she's now asking permission from the city Preservation Board for Hannah Demolition to take it down.
But community members and neighborhood advocates are pleading to save the house, which dates to 1899, saying it's structurally sound and can be restored.
And at least one board member agreed. "It has a solid roof, has good potential and under good care, it could be restored and be an asset to the neighborhood," said Don Gilbert.
India Walton, co-founder of the Fruit Belt Community Land Trust, said her nonprofit organization is "ready to put an offer on the property," and has the backing of Common Council President Darius Pridgen.
At the board's request, Hannah officials agreed to hold off to see if a deal could be brokered.
In other matters, the Preservation Board:
- Approved plans to renovate and redevelop the former Hyatt’s Art Supplies building at 910 Main St. by James Swiezy’s Greenleaf Development, which will create 19 new apartments and combine it with the Bosche Lofts next door at 916 Main.
- Allowed the demolition of a single-family house at 22 Rees St., also owned by Greenleaf, that suffered severe damage in a fire, after Board Chair Gwen Howard said she had toured the home and saw its condition. “The interior is significantly damaged,” Howard said. “The entire middle of the structure was completely burned out and unsafe. … It is in pretty bad shape.”
- Recommended denial of a demolition permit for Hannah Demolition and the property owner to take down a single-family house at 80 Adams St. Hannah said the foundation is crumbling and causing the floor to bend and crack in half, and the owner lacks the funds to make the repairs. But board member Anthony James noted that it dates to the 19th century, can be fixed, and should not be lost. “We should not be aiding and abetting the demolition of our 19th-century heritage,” he said.
- Accepted an application by owner Andrew McLellan to designate former Police Station No. 13, at 348 Austin St., as a local landmark to protect the building from future changes or demolition. Designed by Frederick C.H. Mohr, in the Romanesque Revival style, it was built in 1894-1895 and was used by the Buffalo police until the 1950s. It's the second-oldest surviving station in the city, according to McLellan's application.
"It is certainly a building that I have admired for quite some time," Howard said.
McLellan purchased the two-story brick building in 2005, and it's now the headquarters for his firm, Environmental Education Associates.
The Preservation Board scheduled a public hearing for July 9.
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June 15, 2020 at 04:00PM
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Fate of Fruit Belt house draws out preservationist attention - Buffalo News
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