Wm. G.
Fargo Mansion
Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association
Bounded by Porter, West, Pennsylvania & Prospect ~ Including Fargo & Jersey Streets
P.O. Box 831 ~ Niagara Square Station ~ Buffalo, New York 14201-0831
Neighborhood News ~ Spring, 2008 ~ Page 1 of 2
Block Club Meeting
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 – 6:30 PM
At Santa Maria Towers Community Room
255 Connecticut St. corner of Fargo Avenue
Enter on Fargo Ave parking lot entrance
Next to D’Youville College Library.
We will review updates on the following;1.> D’Youville
College (DYC) projects and Peace Bridge Truck Plaza
and other issues concerning our neighborhood.
2.> Meeting with Mayor Brown and Commissioner
Stepniak concerning the Fargo cul-de-sac project.
3.> Discussion with Councilmember Rivera concerning
DYC construction plans.
We are looking for Block Leaders to serve as a liaison
from the neighborhood to FENA, and to hand out
flyers/newsletters in their area and for residents to
serve on committees to help implement projects that
are a benefit to the neighborhood. Also, setup a
calendar for future meetings and the design of our
new web page. Questions? Call Jim @ 882-0016 or
Andy @ 883-0012
Note- FENA is short for Fargo Estate Neigh. Assoc.
Speaking Of Gardens
A new Community Garden within our boundaries has
been accepted as a Grass Roots Garden. Serenity
Garden is located in the middle (odd no. side) of the block
of West Avenue between Porter Avenue and Jersey
Street. The garden was established by residents of the
block to beautify their neighborhood and improve the
quality of life for residents living in the vicinity. Thanks
Linda, Marge, Margie, Gail, Grass Roots and others.
Serenity Now! - Serenity Now!
GRASS ROOTS GARDENS INFO Article from Buffalo Rising
- May 6th,2008 - 3:02pm By Eli George >Article Appreviated for space
Since 1995, Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo (GGB) has
been trying to make a difference in the East and West
Side neighborhoods by creating community gardens.
Now with a grant of $7,500 from the HSBC in the
Community (USA) Inc. foundation, Zoe Lavatelli,
community garden coordinator for GGB, says they will
be able to build two new community gardens.
“That grant was for material support for the gardens,”
says Lavatelli. That includes buying produce plants for
vegetables. “Growing food is just a huge
empowerment for our gardens,” says Lavatelli.The
HSBC in the Community (USA) Inc. foundation
supports education and environmental projects that
improve the quality of life, making the GGB a perfect
partner. The GGB helps empower neighborhoods and
gardeners throughout Buffalo by helping to build a
sense of community while beautifying many areas
decimated with blight and vacant lots.The check will
be presented on May 14th at one of GGB’s “Weenie
Wednesdays.” This will be the first in a series of free
barbecues that take place at the over 35 gardens GGB
maintains throughout Buffalo. The weenie roast takes
place at the Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association
community garden at the corner of Jersey and West
Streets.The “Weenie Wednesday” barbecue is a free
event and open to all ages. It includes hot dogs and
Built 1868 ~ Razed 1900
soda, though guests are welcome to join in the potluck
affair by bringing a dish to share. The next one will be in
July and the location will be posted on the GGB website.
>D'Youville College forms a Community Advisory Council
Last May at a community meeting at the College
concerning the closing of Fargo Avenue, Sister Denise
Rouch said - a community advisory committee will be
appointed and begin meeting regularly with college
officials, who will be apprised of their (community)
concerns. "We will have a council that will help, that
will advise, that will communicate with the college on
an ongoing basis so that we don't wait until a concern
becomes monumental or even heard about," Roche
said. "I very much want to underscore with you that
D'Youville wants to be a good neighbor," emphasizing
safety as the underlying goal. With that, the first
meeting was held on July 28, 2008 with the members
of the Committee.The scope of this Community
advisory board is broad and encompasses all aspects
of the college/community relations -
>There was discussion regarding parking and how
best to meet the college’s needs as well as the
communities.
>Sister Denise agreed to withdraw the demolition
permits for 285 and 287 Fargo Ave.
>WSNHS agreed to determine whether it is feasible to
renovate these houses into Liveable condition
>Based on the communities concerns the Department
of Public Works is going to be going back to the
drawing board with the plans for the Fargo Ave.
reconstruction.
>The group agreed to meet Quarterly
>The next meeting will be held on October 1, 2008 at
6pm at the college
Community Work At Karpeles Museum
Several saturdays ago a team of teens from West Side
Community Services (corner of Fargo & Vermont)
joined some residents from our block club to plant
flowers, scrubs and to cultivate the soil at the Karpeles
Museum on Porter Avenue, as part of the SICA grant.
This grant was awarded to FENA to help the youth in
our area to get involved in community service and to
promote a better quality of life for our neighborhoods.
This is also a way to “give back” a bit to the Karpeles
Museum for their commitment to the West Side. We
may go back for a general clean-up. If you would like
to participate, please call Jim (882-0016) or Andy
(883-0211). Picture below of West Side Jr. Block Club & some
FENA volunteers @ the Karpeles Museum