wednesday december 10th 2008
Restoration Watch: 878 Main Street
West Coast Perspective
One of Buffalo's biotechnology stars is making significant progress restoring one of lower Main Street's last remaining mansions. ZeptoMetrix bought the fading structure at 878 Main Street from the City in December 2007 and will be relocating its corporate offices from its current building next door. The circa-1875 Hoyt Mansion (yes, that Hoyt; more on the history of the house tomorrow) had been abandoned for nearly two decades.
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Elena Cala Buscarino
As part of their meeting agenda, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) Board of Directors officially authorized a $1,743,000 contract with Western New York-based DEMCO, Inc. for demolition of Memorial Auditorium (Aud). Under the contract, the firm is expected to commence demolition activities by January 2009 and complete work by July 1st, which is in line with the date Ontario Specialty Contracting Inc. (OSC), the original winner of the bid, had targeted. OSC opted out of the demolition deal based on the current poor market price of scrap steel.
“We’re pleased to make it official and allow DEMCO, Inc. to focus on the demolition work at-hand,” said Jordan Levy, chairman, Erie Canal Harbor Development Co…
buffalorising
If you went to the National Buffalo Wing Festival last August 30th and 31st, and even if you didn't, you might want to tune into the Travel Channel today at 9 PM EST. They'll be airing a segment they shot during the 7th annual festival as part of their show "Bar Food Paradise." They dedicated a full ten minutes to the festival for this episode which focuses on appetizers. The festival attracted 78,000 visitors who ate 27 tons of wings and its popularity only continues to grow. The exposure is great for the festival, but its also great for Buffalo as a whole, so be sure to check it out and see if you recognize anyone!
Also during the episode, they'll feature the Anchor Bar, one of Buffalo's best known place to get chicken wings that attracts visitors from all over the country. More information on the episode is available
tuesday december 9th 2008
Legislature Overrides County Executive's Vetoes
Elena Cala Buscarino
The Erie County Legislature reinstated funding to cultural institutions today when they overrode vetoes County Executive Chris Collins turned in this past Monday. The amounts that were voted on today, totaling $800k would return each of the culturals to 95 percent of the funding they received last year - less than what they would like - but unavoidable in this down-turned economy.
Members of the legislature reiterated that the budget they crafted will fund cultural institutions that they see as economy generators. In addition, the legislature says the $9.5 million in cuts they've made to Collins' recommendations will hold the line on property taxes. Collins, however, says that each household will be faced with an additional $24 in taxes. Had Collins' vetoes stood, the increase would have been roughly $18 per household.
The items Collins vetoed ranged from an additional $25 …
RaChaCha
The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture, and Culture will mix of all of the above at their annual Holiday Meet-up on Tuesday, December 16, at the legendary Lafayette Tap Room.
One of Buffalo's greatest bar spaces, the Lafayette Tap Room was built about a century ago in an early (and sympathetic) addition to Louise Bethune's Hotel Lafayette. The Tap Room has 16-foot-high ceilings and is adorned by a mounted Buffalo (bison) head that is certainly itself a Buffalo landmark. The event is free for Campaign members and $10 for friends. The main event will be from 6–8, then at 8, acoustic blues performer Fritz the Cat will take the stage at the front of the barroom.
Buffalo's hometown craft brewer, Flying Bison, will be providing seasonal brews (after all, it’s not the CHAMPAGNE for Greater Buffalo!), and finger foods will be served. The Tap Room will have its fu…
BRO Reader Submission
"I have a cousin that is getting married this coming fall, and is looking for a cool, historic place in the city of Buffalo to have her wedding reception. Any recommendations? Her fiance is from San Diego and he has a lot of family coming in for the wedding. She really wants to show them the true, inner beauty of Buffalo. BRO viewers came to mind while we were doing our research. I would really appreciate any input they could give."
That's it. This sort of request has come in time after time - people looking for the best food, the best space, the best photo ops, the best grounds, etc. Make sure that you add what the size restrictions are and any other details that might help a bride and groom to make a decision. We're not even going to throw out any suggestions... just be creative yet practical when thinking of a few ideas.
West Coast Perspective
One of downtown’s most prominent corners is available for lease. Property owner Greg Rehwoldt’s Queen City Lofts, LLC is starting a phased rehabilitation of 537 Main Street, a three-story historic building facing Roosevelt Plaza and the Hyatt Regency hotel. The property was the long-time home of an Arby’s and most recently Grever’s Florist. Chris Malachowki of Hunt Commercial Real Estate is listing the 2,275 sq.ft. of ground-floor retail and/or office space.
buffalorising
Forgotten Buffalo always promises food and music on their tours, but never has it been so steeped in Polish tradition. With less than a week before Christmas, Marty Biniasz will guide participants on a special tour that not only goes towards a good cause, but features Polish Christmas Carols with the Grammy nominated polka band Jerry Darlak & the Touch. With taverns galore on the trip as well as a traditional Polish meal, you’ll be having a blast as you sing along to the Polish music while you learn about the Polish heritage of Buffalo.
Jerry Darlak & the Touch have joined Biniasz to help support a local food pantry. The proceeds from the tour go to benefit the St. Adalbert’s Response to Love Center at 130 Kosciuszko Street. The center is run by Sister Johnice who with her fellow Felician sisters and volunteers manages to operate one of the largest food pantries in the area.…
buffalorising
The Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) was launched by the Coalition for Economic Justice as a “think-and-do” tank to help conduct research while promoting advocacy and communication amongst its numerous partner organizations. They are funded in part by their partner organizations, but also by the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo. To keep the conversation going on how to increase the public good in public policy, the PPG needs more support. Luckily, they know how to ask for help in style.
With Edreys as their host, they’re holding the “Holiday” Movement Dance Party at the Ujima Theatre in the “Theater Loft.” With a retinue of deejays and musicians, it sure will be a dance party you won’t want to miss. Dance your heart out …
Anthony Swinnich
League leaders in scoring? Check. League leader in goals scored? Check. Entertaining and offensive minded match up? Double-check. The Buffalo Sabres played with fire for most of the game and came out unscathed, topping the Pittsburgh Penguins at their own game 4-3 Monday night.
Normally, I'd be all over the Sabres for trying to match Pittsburgh's game, but they didn't really give themselves much of a choice by going down 2 goals in the second period. Buffalo grabbed the lead and then shut down defensively with great success, keeping the Penguins from generating much of anything on offense until the dying minutes of the third period.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring 9 minutes and 37 seconds into the first period when Rulsan Fedotenko put in his first of the game. Penguins forward Peter Sykora passed the puck to Evgeni Malkin in the Buffalo zone. Malkin accepted the pass an…
