There is a little street called Coe Place on the western edge of the East Side. It quite possibly could serve as a catalyst for reinvigoration of a large part of this long suffering area of the city. It has endured many of the ravages common to much the East Side but survives mostly intact today. The tight composition of houses, pushed up close to a narrow street with small scale sidewalks, creates a quaint, remarkably cohesive neighborhood. This unique street started out as a brick paved private way. The houses were built as a group in 1890 and 1891 by George Chadeayne. The neighborhood around Coe Place is near upcoming major public and private investments, including a $16 million Artspace project, directly adjacent in the former Buffalo Electric Vehicle Company building.
As part of a spin off effort, the City is rumored to be planning significant improvements along Coe Place, including a reconstruction of the street in a brick herringbone pattern. One distinctive house on the south side of the block, the Hamilton Ward house is particularly historic. Its front elevation is commanded by a 3 story tower giving it a special presence on the street. It was once the home of Hamilton Ward, Jr. (1871-1932), a prominent Republican politician who served as New York State Attorney General from 1928 to 1930. You can read much more about this house and Hamilton Ward at Greater Buffalo Blog.
So why is this little street the key to saving the East Side? Because it is a little pot of gold waiting to be taken and enjoyed. The problem is that the pot of gold is on the East Side and the long standing fears and negative perceptions of the East Side make it very hard to see the glint on that pot of gold. This charming little street in combination with major investments in the neighborhood can be a bulwark for changing attitudes about the East side. Great architecture, when recognized, can be a powerful tool for redevelopment of a city. People are more and more looking for the unique living environments that streets like Coe Place can provide. Piece by piece the East Side of Buffalo can be rejuvenated by leveraging the attractive assets provided by streets such as Coe place. A developer with imagination could bring this street up to its true potential and kick start real change in the area.
To get frequent updates and reports on possible exciting new developments on Coe Place check in with Fix Buffalo. This site is dedicated to reinventing this part of the city and has many interesting posts on the neighborhood.
Photos courtesy Fix Buffalo and Aaron Ingrao