South Buffalo - YES!
South Buffalo gets no respect. It is separated from the main bulk of the city by major industrial areas, a river, and an expressway. This divide is not only a city divide; it is an area wide divide. If you are a south-towner you stay south-town and vice versa with the northerners.
BRO has been accused of being Elmwood centric. To an extent this is true, not due to any plan but, because people tend to report on what they know, and most of us just don't know South Buffalo too well - with this nasty "divide" and all. Every once in a while we venture past that divide to report on this somewhat sleepily comfortable part of the city. Hopefully this is something we can do with more frequency in the future. Often, after reporting on a certain place or event we get correspondence from people offering more information or suggestions. A recent piece on South Buffalo Bungalows elicited a response from a BRO reader stating the following:
I would like you to be aware of some changes I am seeing. I am noticing a lot of younger career families move into the area. Their comments are always, "the homes are so beautiful, but forgotten". Each day I walk during my daily exercise, I watch a young homeowner who purchased a hideous home on Cazenovia Street, restoring this to to its originality. This house is turning out to be absolutely stunning. The original arts and craft design for a two family is what this area is about. What I am saying is... it is people like that we need to bring into the area. I walk to the "caz coffee shop" on the side of Cazenovia park, and admire all the homes. Please do this homeowner a favor and do a small piece on the restortation he is doing. ...My neighbors and I comment on the progress and beauty of this home. It may not be historically significant, or even architecturally important, but it is a step forward.
The reader put us in touch with the owner Mr. Keith Fronczak. The house is a wonderful craftsman style, two flat, looking out onto the lush green expanse of Cazenovia Park. Mr. Fronczak grew up in Hamburg but has long been interested in the quality, value, and history, available in city houses and neighborhoods. When looking at houses in the city he focused on South Buffalo because of his south-towns roots (there is that divide again) and because of the tremendous value that could be had in this part of town. He saw this house as a dusty treasure that just needed some love. Researching its history, he found that a neighboring building was used to store boats that used to float on the old park lake. He points out that it is this kind of history that adds richness to a neighborhood experience. Here are some of his own words about the house and its restoration:
"There isn't any historical importance, but I will tell you what I have done and you decide. I have always admired South Buffalo for its "diamond in the rough" aspect. Buying a house here, gave me the same style and quality home as North Buffalo and other areas without the price tag. I thought that Cazenovia Park and the Olmstead history was something really cool and sometimes overlooked. I was hoping someday to live along the park.
"In March of 2007, my agent told me about a house on Cazenovia Street that was on the market for quite awhile and that it had "potential" When I saw it, I saw this massive asbestos and aluminum covered home that has a bad 1960's yellow paint. But, when I walked through the door and saw the beautiful woodwork and stained glass, and leaded windows. I was sold. It was obvious the tenants didn't see the same beauty in this house because of the condition and over all lack of well being of the interior. ( Oh, and about 50 pigeons lived in the attic. No windows and busted aluminum eaves.) I was hoping, from the interior, that the exterior must have had some craftsman quality to it. When I closed on the house, my friends and family liked the view of the park, but not the house. They all thought I was nuts.
"After working on the interior, I was happy to learn all the exterior was still intact under that nasty siding, which also had the original tiling company sign under it. Except for holes from blown in insulation, everything was there and in great shape. All the woodwork was covered under dull, white aluminum. The house appeared to have the original paint on it also. And stained cedar shingles. It was a beautiful 1914 two family arts and craft home. I tried to find colors that matched the time period. Between the historic park setting view out my front window, and the beautiful home, I feel this was a great move. The house took a lot of work, and time... oh and money (by the way, its still not done)."
Mr Fronczack also noted his impression that many young career oriented families were moving into the area. He pointed out that living near the park was like having the city and the country in one place. He recognized this as a great neighborhood and a house that had tremendous untapped potential. Without his wisdom this beautiful simple house may have traveled the downwardly spiraling path of so many poorly managed absentee city properties, dragging its neighbors down along the way.
Congratulations to Keith Fronczack for his wonderful restoration and for his ability to recognize the hidden treasures available in all parts of the city.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
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Biniszkiewicz
great job. great colors.
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Sobojoe
You really need to see the "before" shot of this place to really appreciate what has been done here. This wonderful section of Cazenovia St., across from the park, has been in danger of slipping away recently, so it is great so see someone doing it justice. Nice work!
Also- I love my SoBo bungalow. This part of the city is chilled out and has alot to offer, especially considering the relatively low price of homes. Thanks for keeping us on the map!
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needles
I grew up in West Seneca and recently bought a house in So. Buff. Probably the smartest thing I've ever done. My neighbors are incredible here, what a breath of fresh air! The cops are even cool in So. Buffalo. I feel almost obligated to say I bought a 2200 sq ft 4 bed 2.5 bath brick cape for $77K right off beautiful McKinley Pkwy. I'm on a double lot and my taxes will amount to ~$2K/yr. Try that in West Seneca!
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WholeLottaJibbaJabbah
Man, I grew up on the next street over (Meriden St.). It's great to see South Buffalo get a little love on this site and to see people moving in and restoring a wonderful neighborhood. Great job Keith!
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scooter
Born and raised on the West Seneca / South Buffalo border. South Buffalo is a bit of a hidden gem. It really has held together well over the years. There are some great neighborhoods, safe and beautiful homes.
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stephenjames716
that house looks amazing!...great job.
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chris_h_23
My wife and I bought an Arts & Crafts Bungalow at a great price on Abbott Rd. in South Buffalo as well and we love the area. We have great neighbors, the neighborhood is very nice not to mention that Caz Park is only a couple blocks away. We also appreciate the pride that people take in South Buffalo with all the community clubs and block clubs trying to preserve our part of the city and not let it waste away like the east side unfortunately has. We certainly could afford to live in any other part of the city or the suburbs if we had wanted to but we love the charm of South Buffalo and I am glad to see that BRO is starting to give it some attention.
Thank You!
Chris Henning President South Buffalo Drifters Travel Club http://southbuffalodrifters.nexo.com
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Buffalo21stcentury
South Buffalo is a really wonderful area. Its still largely safe, untouched by flippers, untouched by urban renewal and proves everyday that being poor doesnt mean that one has to invite drugs and gangs into your community as minorities have done on the east and west sides.
The mystery is why South Buffalo doesnt have more artists and its own cultural district. It has two Olmsted Parks, the Botanical Gardens and the Basilica plus a major strip (South Park and Abbott).
One would think that South Buffalo with equal but less expensive housing would be attracting artists and craftsman and such...especially since Roycroft is also nearby. I would think there would be more restaurants and mom&pop stores and little retail shops because the startup costs are so much lower. There are many opportunities for storefronts on South Park and Abbott.
Im not trying to change South Buffalo. I recognize it has its own unique personality and charm. Its just rather suprising that there is so little drama and dynamism there.....though personally...if I were raising kids in an urban or near urban area....Id say South Buffalo and North Buffalo are one of the best sections!
The westside and eastside are still struggling....as far as im concerned.
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Mike_Mike
Here is the link to the before and afters.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27664102@N05/
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dpbflo
What an amazing job done on this house. Its great that buffalo rising has brought attention to this. There are so many like this in SB. Older homes with tons of character that just need some loving.
Buffalo21stCentury- You keep mentioning South Park and Abbott. While abbott remains clean and nice. South Park needs help but there is potential. I think the gem most people over look is Seneca Street. The Structure and the history is there for that to be quite a unique area if attention was given to it. How awesome would it be if something happened with the old sky room, or the old Sheas Movie theatre building?
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pgf1948
Just be quiet and leave it alone. A very nice place. Isn't that enough?
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TroyT
The outside looks nice but what about shots of the interior?
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sbrof
I also know a couple younger couples looking and buying in South Buffalo. Who'd a thunk it... not this Riverside kid. ;) But it does have a lot to offer. It has been the most stable area in Buffalo over the decades.
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STEEL
TroyT,
Check out the link posted by Mike_Mike above. Great interior detail!
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hilaritee
unfortunately it seems that for a lot of people of my generation who, it should be noted, did not grow up in south buffalo, believe that it is a neighborhood somewhat unwelcoming of non white people. i assume that this reputation is unfair or no longer true but i am curious to hear what people who actually live there have to say about diversity in south buffalo now. any insights folks? this is a sincere question that is not meant to be provocative. cheers.
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Colin
I grew up in South Buffalo and lived there until 2004. My mother and sister still live there. The reputation for insularity and racism is unfortunately well deserved. Having black friends at a birthday party led to being called "n----- lovers"
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Colin
I grew up in South Buffalo and lived there until 2004. My mother and sister still live there. The reputation for insularity and racism is unfortunately well deserved. Having black friends at a birthday party led to being called "n----- lovers" for months. My friend and I were jumped by a bunch of kids several years older than us because they didn't like the fact that his mother was a Greek immigrant. My mother has been approached by neighbors who suggest that they somehow team up to sell their houses since "the blacks" have started moving into the neighborhood.
I've also got to disagree with calling South Buffalo the most stable part of the city. Seneca Street has been gutted over the last 30 years.
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TroyT
cool, thanks!
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Buffalo21stcentury
{Deleted}
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the_trooper
WOW Buffalo21 I agree with your last paragraph, but everything before it I totally disagree with! What Conlin was saying is that people openly voiced racist opinions in derogatory manner! He isn't talking about poverty-fear he's talking about overt racism which must NEVER be tollerated! If people are harassed in hateful ways en mass by a community why would any business or school EVER want to move or open new locations there. Also if what he's saying is correct should he risk life and limb to confront some ignorant knucklehead. If the people are dumb enough to make the statements he's claiming do you think they're smart enough to practice restraint when confronted with logical rebuke?
Conlin, there are racists everywhere, just because you heard a few stories of some racists in S Buffalo doesn't mean that everyone in S. Buffalo is a racist. Please don't paint the whole community with that broad brush.
I have lived in S. Buffalo my whole life and bought a house off Abbott near Caz last year. I looked at the house above before I bought my house. I wanted it BAD. Its over 3000 sq. ft. and they were asking for under $90k if I remember correctly. But knew I didn't have the time to give the house the repairs it needed and deserved! In the end I got a 90 yr old gem with similar hard wood features that didn't require as much work and I couldn't be happier! I'm glad that someone who had both time and vision picked this house up, it looks great! Now lets hope they get good tennants.
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KeithF
Thank you for all the wonderful responses on my home. Especially to my neighbors, who encouraged me to continue doing the restoration work as they passed by. Thank you Mr. Steele for taking the time to write the article. It really is a great feeling to know the time, planning and money put into my home are being positively noticed.
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PaulBuffalo
Buffalo21stcentury/Buffaloweiner/Chris69, 'Yeah if your an Indian/pakistani/muslim and your walking around in a turbine then your asking for it'?
Your racist lunacy continues to go unchecked on BRO.
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d_a_n
my favorite part about his rant was that he confused the words "turban" and "turbine"...if i saw someone wearing a turbine on there head in my neighborhood, i would be very impressed!
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Sobojoe
The racism tag for SoBo is typical, but things are changing here, along with the rest of the city. It will take a new generation of open-mindedness to show the old-guard that this attitude doesn't fly any more. Lead by example, not ranting, and teach your children compassion. Now help me down off this soapbox.
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PaulBuffalo
Stay on the soapbox, Sobojoe, you're doing just fine.
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truestar
I have lived in South Buffalo for a good long and would like to see some revival along Seneca Street. It is a shadow of what it once was as are many many many Buffalo neighborhoods. Every once in awhile I read about ArtSpace and talk about opening another facility.....The old Seneca Show with the Skyroom above it would make a great ArtSpace project....the Skyroom is a fantastic room,the building itself has some very nice terra cotta tiling and there is plenty of space and parking .....a friend of mine lived in an apartment that was above the movie theatre that was great. A project like this could very well revitalize Seneca Street and stabalize the eroding neighborhood and disperse some wealth and culture south.
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