PRESERVATION BLUES EVENT TO CREATE GAP FUND

2006-01-08T10:59:00.000-05:00

ONLINE TICKETS HAVE NOW BEEN SUSPENDED - PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS AT THE DOOR - AND - THANK YOU FROM THE VOLUNTEER STAFF OF PRESERVATION BLUES! SEE YOU THERE!

Preservation Blues - a night of music and community, is co-chaired by Sharon Heim and David Wahl. This event is set to take place on March 31, 2006 from 7:00 until 11:00 pm at the historic Market Arcade Atrium, 617 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, and will benefit the NPC Gap Fund.

And for the beer conniseur, Preservation Brew, crafted by Flying Bison Brewery, will be launched and served on tap at this event. You can also take home Preservation Brew as six-packs will be available for purchase that evening with all proceeds from the sale going directly to the Gap Fund.

Additional libations include a wine-tasting from our friends at Chateau Buffalo. Donations of hors d'oerves and other nibblies are being provided by a selection of downtown Buffalo's finest restaurants.

Outstanding local musicians Jim Sansone & Noa Bursie will be there, too, performing blues and jazz for a night of good will and good old Buffalo partying! Here's a sampling of Noa's recent cd - cuts 7, 8, 10 & 12 will provide some ear candy of her style for this event. We're also told that these two musicians may join each other for a jam session.

Additionally, The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier will provide a glimpse into Buffalo's past in the Buffalo Architecture Center, located in the historic atrium, for party-goer viewing. Currently, the H H Richardson Complex is featured and that display will be supplemented by private pictorial collections.

The Gap Fund concept was created to assist those with low-incomes in the repair of their homes located in preservation districts throughout the city. On occasion, historically accurate repairs can cost more than repairs using more modern materials. The impact to our elderly, handicapped, and low-income neighbors can be significant. For example, a simple repair of $400 in most neighborhoods in Buffalo may increase to $800 in a preservation district. The Gap Fund would come into play supplementing the additional $400 for those under defined income guidelines. An important secondary benefit of creating this fund is the necessary exploration and analysis to determine when historically accurate repairs can be made economically for the benefit of homeowners and neighborhoods.

So, for $30 ($20 if you're a student or senior) you get a night of music, nibblies, home-grown brew, a look into Buffalo's past, a wine-tasting, and great networking. All for a tremendous cause - the Neighborhood Preservation Collaborative's Gap Fund - preserving historic homes and helping our neighbors at the same time.

Tickets are available now, online at NepTix.com and are priced at $30 per person with a discount pricing of $20 for seniors and students. Locally, you can purchase tickets at New World Record, 765 Elmwood Avenue, in the Elmwood Village Shopping District or at Chateau Buffalo, 1209 Hertel Avenue.

Other sponsors of Preservation Blues include Buffalo Rising Online, The Zenger Group, and the West Village Renaissance Group. Added thanks go out to Kelly Vail, a West Village resident, for her graphic design of the Preservation Brew label and Preservation Blues logo.

For more information or to volunteer for this event, e-mail: mailto:westvillageren@msn.com or call 716-440-1106.

MJR

2005-12-29T19:08:00.000-05:00

The regular maintenance and repair costs associated with owning the older homes in the City of Buffalo are always expensive. However, these expenses are even more burdensome for low-income homeowners, especially those in Preservation Districts where architectural guidelines may prohibit certain cost-effective options. The distinctive character of windows, doors, fascia, and other decorative elements is sometimes sacrificed in favor of economic functionality when the repair and replacement costs of vintage elements far exceeds that of their modern counterparts. Other homeowners in Preservation Districts who are unable to afford these additional costs may allow their homes to deteriorate to a point at which repair is no longer an option.

It is our goal to identify funding sources and cooperate with other service providers to assist low-income homeowners with historically appropriate repairs. By providing this “gap funding,” it is hoped that the frequency of inappropriate alterations and demolition by neglect will diminish. In addition to financial assistance, we will provide practical advice and guidelines that will help homeowners identify cost-effective methods of preserving the historical distinction of their homes. For example, workshops on paint maintenance, landscaping, and various other issues could give homeowners the skills and insight necessary to care for their architecturally significant homes without incurring any additional expenses.

NPC Homeowner Assistance

PRESERVATION BLUES EVENT TO CREATE GAP FUND