$750,000 in EPF Grants for Local Parks, Preservation and Waterfront Projects In Western New York

Seven Grants Include $350,000 for Darwin Martin House in Buffalo

Governor George E. Pataki today announced Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grants totaling $751,870 for seven open space, recreation, preservation, and waterfront revitalization projects in Erie and Niagara counties. A highlight of the awards is a $350,000 grant for restoration work at the Darwin Martin House, a National Historic Landmark in the City of Buffalo.

"This funding continues our efforts in Western New York to protect green space, expand recreational opportunities, revitalize waterfront communities, and safeguard local historic treasures such as the Darwin Martin House." said Governor Pataki. "These awards provide valuable support and assistance to municipalities, helping them preserve a variety of local landmarks, develop additional access to waterways, and enhance recreational and tourism opportunities that support economic development."

Senator Dale M. Volker said, "These State financial investments will have a profound impact for our communities and protect and foster those natural resources that are important to our region. Governor Pataki has been an outstanding steward of our State’s natural resources and today’s announcement is another fine example of his commitment to protecting and preserving our environmental assets."

Senator Marc Coppola said, "The Environmental Protection Fund has supported many worthwhile projects across Western New York. The Darwin Martin House is a treasure for the City of Buffalo. This EPF grant will ensure that city residents and visitors will have the ability to enjoy this architectural wonder for generations to come."

Assembly Majority Leader Paul A. Tokasz said, "Assets such as the Darwin Martin House and Dingens Park in Cheektowaga must be maintained and enhanced so that not only tourists visiting our region but also members of our own community can enjoy them for future generations. I am happy to share in this effort to invest in these important projects."

Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples said, "Since my tenure in the Erie County Legislature, I have personally and professionally supported Western New York’s unique and historic past, as preserved and portrayed in monuments, historic sites, architecture and artifacts. I am especially fond of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and the Martin House and believe that this funding is important to achieve national and international recognition as a prominent tourist destination. Through this landmark, we will underline the need to continue to promote our unique monuments and express the importance of preserving these legacies for generations to come."

Five of the project grants are administered through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and include open space acquisitions, parkland improvements and the ongoing restoration of the Darwin Martin House, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most notable Prairie House designs, built between 1903 and 1905. The Martin House Restoration Corporation is continuing the restoration of the five structure Darwin Martin complex with the next exterior phase of work, involving the distinctive roman brick masonry and concrete elements. The proposed work will include the replacement of missing or broken brick, re-pointing of the mortar, reversal of non-historic conditions, and rehabilitation of the concrete elements.

The restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House has included a complete roof restoration with authentic copper gutters, and updating of the drainage and water proofing systems. The entire parcel of land that constituted the original estate has been reassembled, allowing for the reconstruction of a pergola, conservatory and carriage house. Once exterior restoration is complete, interior work will begin including the installation of all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as the refurbishing of all interior surfaces.

State Parks Commissioner and Historic Preservation Officer Bernadette Castro said, "Governor Pataki has once again demonstrated through the Environmental Protection Fund awards an unprecedented commitment to protecting the unique historic and cultural treasures, diverse outdoor resources and remarkable recreational facilities located in the Empire State. Here in Western New York, we are working closely with our partners in the community to build a strong foundation for heritage tourism in the region with investments in properties such as the Darwin Martin House. Together, these EPF awards will improve the quality of life, preserve the character, and protect parklands for residents and visitors to enjoy."

Two of the EPF grants announced today are administered through the Department of State’s Division of Coastal Resources. The matching grant program is available to local governments for the preparation and implementation of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRPs) and inter-municipal water body management plans, development of coastal educational programs, creation of blueway trails, and urban waterfront redevelopment.

Secretary of State Christopher L. Jacobs said, "Western New York is bordered by a majestic waterfront, rich in open space, and prized for scenic vistas. We are pleased to assist our local partners in the region to enhance public use of these natural resources, while protecting scenic values and their community character. The Department of State will continue to strive to improve communities by capitalizing on their assets and waterfront resources. Community efforts along the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River have already resulted in much success, thanks to Governor Pataki's leadership and support through the Environmental Protection Fund. We are committed to maintaining and expanding the success of our municipal and community partners, while steadily advancing the revitalization and renewal of New York's coastal heritage."

Robert J. Kresse, Martin House Restoration Corporation Chairman of the Board, said, "Once again, our partner, New York State Parks, has given us a major lift as we near the finishing line. Thank you, Governor Pataki and Commissioner Castro."

Today’s awards follow the Governor’s announcement last week of a $128,980 EPF grant for Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, Niagara County. Since 1995, the State Environmental Protection Fund has provided nearly $1.3 billion in State assistance for more than 4,700 projects that protect and enhance the quality of New York’s natural resources. More than $87 million has been invested in EPF grants administered by State Parks to support 745 municipal open space, recreation and historic preservation projects in communities across New York State.

Descriptions of the remaining six awards are as follows:

Erie County
Town of Orchard Park
$100,000
The town of Orchard Park will acquire 53+/- acres of land along Bussendorfer Road, continuous to the town-owned Brush Mountain Park. The project will preserve vacant land while expanding the park system and the Brush Mountain Park with enhanced, passive, recreational and environmental education resource for residents of all ages. With the increase of population, the town has deemed the project a priority for preserving open space in the town.

Town of Cheektowaga
$49,870
The Town of Cheektowaga will rehabilitate Dingens Park. Improvements are to include replacing the deteriorated lot, construction of a new softball diamond to place the existing ball field and construction of a new soccer field.

Town of Boston
$50,000
The Town of Boston proposes to rehabilitate and expand the town park by dedicating 14.48 acres of prime real estate as park land. Planned improvements include construction of two soccer fields and expansion of the existing nature trail with a six foot wide multi-use trail that stretches along 18-Mile Creek. Based on heavy development, the expansion and rehabilitation of the park will provide increased recreational opportunities and secures a remaining parcel of green space in perpetuity.

City of Tonawanda
$25,000
The city of Tonawanda will engage a planning and design consultant to prepare design drawings for a new park area along an abandoned block of Young Street adjacent to Ellicott Creek, and for an overlook along the Niagara River in Niawanda Park at the site of an abandoned industrial water intake. Finally, the project team will identify future waterfront revitalization projects and prepare designs and cost estimates. This will further work developed under a previously EPF award.

Niagara County
City of Lockport
$100,000
The City of Lockport is proposing renovations to the 48.5 acre Outwater Memorial Park, a scenic treasure on the city’s north end, near the top of the Niagara Escarpment. The city plans for renovations to the Lockport community pool and its locker room building, and construction of a skate park.

Town of Porter
$77,000
The town of Porter, part of the Niagara River Greenway, will update its land use regulations to implement its recently-adopted Comprehensive Plan, addressing issues such as agricultural protection, high density housing in the village of Youngstown and the hamlet of Ransomville, waterfront viewshed protection, light pollution, mixed-use development, and development of a town gateway. The town will assess the feasibility of developing a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Work will also include implementation of an Agricultural Planned Unit Development District through the zoning ordinance, and integration of design guidelines into town zoning requirements.