Gracens Last Day at IncDev

I donate a lot of time and energy to the Incremental Development Alliance - a non profit that teaches real estate to regular people in an effort to build communities and wealth for people instead of larger developers and corporations. This is a snap from Gracens last day! She is a founder of IncDev and helps to create and design the bootcamps and teaching events we have! She is stellar human. Passionate, dedicated and creative. I cried multiple times knowing she was leaving… but she will be working to do this on a bigger level of which I am SO happy for her.

Gracen, we will miss you at our IncDev Bootcamps and other events!! We wish you all the luck and love in the world

If you’re interested in IncDev, give it a quick google.

<3

Can we just re-stripe Main Street for now?!

The National Street Improvements Study conducted by Portland State a university confirmed that adding bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure had either positive or non significant impacts on the local economy. That is great because so many people think it will be bad for business!

For example: When bike lanes were installed on Central Avenue in Minneapolis, retail employment increased 12.4% and had a 52.44% increase in food sales. 

Main Street in Buffalo is undergoing a redesign now with the intent to start a multi phased approach reconstruction project in 2022. It’s expected to take 2 - 3 years for each phase. Do we really have to wait nearly a decade to have a safe Main Street that works for people and businesses? We could spend a tiny fraction of money to restripe this temporarily to add bicycle and car lanes in the spring and get 5 + years out of it. That way we have a safe street while it gets reconstructed. Food for thought.

580 Niagara: What's Next?

Right before Valentine’s day, we asked the community to make calls to save this little cottage - it was going to be demolished by the City of Buffalo because the front house was a huge health and safety issue. The front building was ultimately demolished but the City of Buffalo gave us some time to find a solution for the rear little cottage that dates back to 1870 or so. Phew!

We are currently trying to track down the owner. This is the vacancy vortex in a nutshell.

The good news is:

1. It is boarded up - thanks to Jeff and Yoav from our team who got some boards on the windows.

2. We have support from Preservation Buffalo Niagara - they helped immensely with the discussions at City Hall for us. (Thanks PBN!)

3. We also have loads of interest from people who want to buy it as well, which is a great thing.

Thank you to everyone who made calls to City Hall! We appreciate it so much. We are keeping an eye out as best as we can. (Our office is right across the street!) It will be saved - we just have to get it unstuck.

Stay tuned.

Incremental Development Alliance - New Video!

Take a look at this new video made by the Incremental Development Alliance! I am a proud faculty member of this non profit organization. The video sums up why we are working so hard to get so many home grown locals trained and ready to do something special in the place they live and love.

With love,

Bernice