The Coalition seeks to disseminate architectural and historical information to the
general public from many sources. While we use only reputable sources, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy of every item presented as fact.
This building was demolished in 2003
Coalition helps to vanquish 'super-kiss of death'
December 2001
Delta Sonic, the car wash kings, have withdrawn their plans to acquire and demolish the so-called Midcity Building at 1220 Main Street in order to erect a 24-pump gas station-carwash-drive-through)h restaurant complex.
The site was adjacent to the Linwood Historic District and within the Summer-Utica Transit District zoning area in Buffalo. The building itself is a handsome offices-over-stores structure, built in 1924 by the Greater Buffalo Development Company to be an elegant addition to the Main Street corridor, occupying a prominent corner location.
The Preservation Coalition confirmed the withdrawal with Common Council Legislative Committee chairman Rich Fontana last week. Fontana's committee had earlier tabled the proposal on October 2nd after a pubic melting drew over 150 people to the site on September 29. Niagara District Council member Dominic Bonafacio was from beginning to end a strong) supporter of the Delta Sonic scheme.
Delta Sonic officials did not return phone calls seeking comment, but it appears that any improvements to the operation will occur on the current site footprint. Delta Sonic has some fence-mending to do with neighbors, literally: its deficient screening being just one of the many complaints brought to light.
PresCo gets involved
The Coalition was alerted to the problem by members on August 20, two days before a neighborhood meeting at Holy Trinity Church to be scheduled by Mr. Bonafacio to discuss the issue. It turned out to be more a presentation of a "done deal," which supposedly was the result of months of work and neighborhood input. That was news to the neighbors, who objected strenuously to all aspects of the plan and found Delta Sonic unforthcoming on several issues.
Hats off to old and new Coalition members Scot Fisher, Dean A. Drew, Dean M. Drew, Pat Krims, Alice & John Hague, Rik & Ramona Whitaker. and Earl Robinson who all stood up and spoke their piece. Tim Tielman, the Coalition Executive Director, also threw in a few cents.
This meeting and Its aftermath led to a long and sometimes passionate meeting of the Council's legislation committee on Sept. 11. This in turn led to the decision to hold a public meeting in the neighborhood on September 29.
That meeting, preceded by an Artvoice article on the issue, drew over 150 on September 29th. The Drews and Pat Krims and her daughter, Lauren, were indefatigable protectors of their neighborhood. A salute must also go out to all the citizens who showed Up for the September meeting, which turned the tide.
Several Coalition members helped shape the Coalition response (JR, JH, and PM, thank you), which included a presentation of drawings of alternatives which would save the historic district and conform to the Transit zoning while allowing considerable improvements on the Delta Sonic site
The Coalition also did extensive assessment and tax research, which showed that owner-occupied houses on Linwood between Summer and Utica alone had a valuation of over $5.5 million, compared to Delta Sonic's $300,000. Much of that value, and the continuing house-by-house investment, is due to the aesthetic qualities and protection of the historic district. .
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The Coalition seeks to disseminate architectural and historical information to the general public from many sources. While we use only reputable sources, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of every item presented as fact.