Heart Bombs 2014 – Official Press Release!

FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE: February 12, 2014

On February 1^st, 2014, Buffalo’s Young Preservationists (BYP) came together on a snowy afternoon for their third annual Heart Bomb campaign in Buffalo, NY. Over 40 members of all ages came together to create special, handmade valentines (AKA “Heart Bombs”) that were then placed on five vacant and underutilized buildings throughout the City. With messages like “love me, don’t leave me”, “buy me and fix me”, “love me tender”, these valentines illustrate the community’s appreciation for the craftsmanship, cultural importance and history associated with these structures, even in their vacant and deteriorated state.

Now in its third year, BYP’s Heart Bomb campaign has taken on a life of its own and spread to other communities throughout the nation! Variations of the initiative have popped up across New York State and in Cleveland, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, St. Paul, Minnesota, Wheeling, West Virginia, and, in 2013, across the State of Texas as part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “I Heart Texas Courthouses” campaign.

BYP’s 2014 Heart Bomb campaign highlighted St. Ann’s, a vacant gothic revival church in threat of demolition;Wildroot, a vacant daylight factory perfectly suitable for adaptive reuse; 27 Garner, a simple West Side double that is a current victim of ‘demolition by neglect’, the former Agway Malting Warehouse, an industrial building currently under renovation by a responsible owner, and, last but not least, the Sattler Theatre, a historic East Side theater in desperate need of a new roof. Many of these and other vacant structures throughout the City are trapped in what BYP has coined the “vacancy vortex” – a type of ‘purgatory’ for historic buildings where countless obstacles keep them from receiving the much-need love and reinvestment they truly deserve.

If you are interested in getting involved and lending a helping hand, check our facebook page for opportunities and events! https://www.facebook.com/buffalosyoungpreservationistsSo what happens now? All five buildings have specific awareness campaigns and advocates from BYP will be working hard and fast to help save each historic treasure from the excavator. Now the fun really begins!!

Photo Update: Heart Bombs 2014

 

Here are a couple photos from our Feb. 1st heart bomb event!

Heart Bombs! Sunday, Feb 10th at 617 Main St – 10am – 1pm.

Join BYP on Sunday, Feb 10th at 617 Main St (Market Arcade! 2nd floor, Main St Entrance) from 10am – 1pm. BYP will be making valentines for houses threatened on the demolition list! HEART BOMBS!!!

Bring glitter, paper, lace, food, string.. red construction paper.. whatever you think can be used to create giant hearts.
The goal? To give a little “love” to houses on the demo list and bring to light some of the best properties that should be saved and rehabbed.

Here is the facebook event! http://www.facebook.com/events/196877340456573/?fref=ts

For more info, email us at bypteam@gmail.com

Cheers for TRICO! Save Trico Community Meeting and Fundraiser- 1/30/13

On Wednesday, January 30th from 6-9pm @ the Pan Am Brewery, BYP, PBN and the Save Trico Preservation Round Table are coming together to put on “Cheers for Trico” a community meeting & fundraising event! Join the event via Facebook.

From 6-7pm, a community meeting will be held to explain the importance of Trico to our local economy and history. Rocco Termini and others will be leading the conversation.
From 7-9pm, the fundraising will begin (beer, art, 50/50 split) to collect money to fund an alternative study to identify other reuse options that were not explored (but should have been) by the BNMC.

Rocco Termini will be donating a portion of the drink sales. Buffalo’s Young Preservationists will be collecting $$$ donations and raffling off two sets of hand made “Trico” art created by by historian/artist Chris Kameck. This is going to be both educational AND really fun. All are welcome to come.

Wednesday, Jan 30th // Hotel Lafayette Pan Am // 6-9pm //
SEE YOU THERE. SAVE TRICO!