419 Porter Avenue - Is this one doomed too? Saving valuable historic buildings from destruction in Buffalo these days is like swatting at flies. You never seem to gain any ground. Even though preservation has proven to be a successful tool for economic growth it always seems to be a distant second choice to demolition. The Stone Age thinking that old buildings must be removed is deeply embedded and pervasive in the Western New York community psyche. In Buffalo the common tactic is to say is that the historic building is beyond repair and that it stands in the way of development. This simple phrase has tremendous power to seal the death warrant for older buildings in Buffalo. Even as there is renewed interest in Buffalo's rich neighborhoods we see building after building falling into neglect and being demolished.
Even as we see that some of the most derelict buildings have been brought back to life we hear this constant monotonous drone that "we can not save everything". We are told that these old buildings stand in the way of progress. Yet time after time progress at the expense of these irreplaceable buildings means a new parking lot, an empty field, or a new fast food restaurant. These are all shortsighted short-term replacements for Buffalo's long-term economic viability.
Into this atmosphere steps 419 Porter Avenue, a magnificent mansion that has seen better days. Dating back to the 1880's it sits in a long row of magnificent mansions that line both sides of Porter. It was probably brand new when the grainy image included here was taken (note the incredible carriage house in the back which is long gone). It was then one of Buffalo's most expensive houses reportedly costing a whopping $24,000. This stretch of Porter is part of the Olmsted Preservation District and is subject to Preservation Board oversight. It is full of exuberant mansions and other Victorian follies making Porter one of Buffalo's most unique and important streets (not to mention it is the gateway to the city from the Peace Bridge).
Many of these amazing Porter Avenue houses have been restored to like new condition including the house directly west of 419. Unfortunately 419 Porter may see quite a different fate. 419 Porter experienced a minor fire several moths ago. Since that time its owner(at the time) has been thrown in Jail (for unrelated issues) . The house has been sitting empty and open to the elements since the fire and vandals have systematically removed windows and valuable objects from the building. The fire caused less damage than the subsequent neglect. As is a common course of action in Buffalo a perfectly good building is allowed to deteriorate to a point where few see any value in it. This house started out life as a grand residence. Through the years it spiraled downward eventually chopped into 7 apartments and finally conversion to a rooming house. The house was recently sold at City tax auction to the owners of the apartment building directly to the east. It is reported that the new owners allegedly plan to demolish the mansion to create a new parking lot.
So there you have it. This house very likely will be demolished and another piece of Buffalo's irreplaceable urban fabric will disappear in favor of some blacktop and a few sickly shrubs. If we are lucky they will be required to install "historic" wrought iron fencing around the parking lot. An intact row of 19th century mansions will have its first missing tooth and a part of Buffalo's history will be reduced to nothing more that a grainy picture. If recent events are any guide the Preservation Board will not prevent this demolition and the City will not enforce building code violations against the owners. The only hope for this house is in the hands of the citizens of Buffalo. They must call their city representatives including the mayor, the preservation board and, Nick Bonifacio who's district this is in. They must strongly register their disapproval of any demolition plan and suggest alternates to parking on this site such as use of the vacant parcels of land directly behind this building. If people do not stand up against this kind of destruction Buffalo will be no more special than any strip mall city across America. Buffalo deserves better but, not if this kind of destruction continues to happen!