this just shows what a difference block clubs and concerned buffaloians can do. despite the great architecture, as recently as just a few years ago, johnson park was not all that aluring after dark - or even during the day.
frankly, i give a lot of credit to Marilyn Rodgers and WVRG. if it werent for their efforts to get rid of the dealers and some assorted less than reputable folk it would be the same, or maybe worse.
keep up the great work!
114 - are you "D?" If so, I remember you. A great deal has changed in the 'hood since you left. Your old house is beautiful with a great front garden. You'd better stop by my home, too. I'll let Gail and Jim know you're coming in - and - appreciate the offer of the pics. Only wish you'd be here for the Garden Walk this year. Major issues have significantly dropped working with police and the courts and our councilmember was the best partnership we could have developed. (Kudos to Brian Davis - great guy with strong vision.)
One of the many helpful steps in the reclamation of Johnson Park was when the soup kitcen (American Rescue Workers) decided to consolidate services and sell 95 Johnson Park (which Richard Lambert purchased for his theater group--my first ever real estate deal as an agent). Prior to Richard's purchase, the soup kitchen was a magnet for bums, many of which tended to use the park as a toilet. I feel for the residents surrounding Friends of Night People.
Great work, Marilyn!
I am a former 10 year resident (1991-2001) of Johnson Park (JP). I can attest to the deplorable state of JP during the soup kitchen days, and can further attest to the actions the BC residents took at that time, in attempts to reclaim the block. I would also like to give kudos to Marilyn and WVRG for staying the course, and seeing through the continued revitalization of JP.
I loved living on JP, and miss my neighbors. I left only because of a job transfer to NYC. I will back to WNY 7/12 - 7/17, and as always will drive by my former house, and note the state of the block. Perhaps this time, I will have time to stop by Jim's house, or Gails to say hi. Also, Marilyn I have some pictures that I would like to donate to WVRG for posterity.
Johnson Park was a mess for some time after the purchase the realtor above speaks about. I think it was sold to the theater back in the mid 90's. The owner of the theater didn't seem to mind the bums and others hanging out literally at times. Then the neighbors got together and reformed the Johnson Park BC under new leadership that actually did something insted of just talking. That's what started it all and then the BC became a larger organization which is now a not-for-profit community agency otherwise known as the WVRG and they are the ones from early 2002 that got everything improved. The bums would still be there coming from the realtors rooming house that is still vacant and the owner of the theater would still be sitting with them smoking pot in the park.
Hi Marilyn ! yes it is me. I sure will drop by your home with the pics if I am able to spend some time in Buffalo, since I am mainly visiting the Southerntier. We have to give a BIG warm thank you to Jim,who helped me every step of the way in putting in the "great front garden", as well as the rear garden. I'm happy to hear that the new owners are keeping it up.
I'm also glad to hear that there is finally an effective district councilmember. There was one actually living on JP, which did not benefit the block in any way that I recall. JP has such great potential, and the way things are going it wil be realized in our lifetime!!
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