Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Draft Management Plan Prepared For: The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Prepared By: Huntley Partners, Inc. – Atlanta GA In partnership with CHA Companies, Inc. – Syracuse and Albany NY Clarification & Mediation, Inc. – Atlanta GA Everett Fly & Associates – San Antonio TX Ellen Pulner Hunt Architect, Inc. – Austin TX Watts Architecture & Engineering – Buffalo NY November 2012 Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Draft Management Plan Acknowledgement The Huntley Partners/CHA Team would like to thank The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission for their leadership and support in completing this Management Plan Commissioners Dr. Felix Armfield Bishop Clarence Montgomery, Jr. Ms. Willow Brost Mr. George Scott, Vice Chair Ms. Karen Stanley Fleming, Chair Dr. Edward O. Smith, Jr. Dr. Keith Griffler Dr. Lillian S. Williams Mrs. Dorothy Hill Mr. Howard Zemsky, Treasurer Mr. John A. Johnson Mr. Larry Rubin, Council Attorney Nonvoting Members Ms. Maureen Brady Mr. Gerald McDuffie Ms. Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Ms. Renee Parsons Ms. Marcia Kees Mr. Robert Weible Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Draft Management Plan Vision Statement The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor is a nationally and internationally recognized Buffalo neighborhood that serves as the focal point of residents’ and visitors’ experience for learning about Buffalo’s rich African American history through its vibrant neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, unique structures, historical markers, people and institutions, as well as its significant impact on local, national and international history. The Heritage Corridor’s festivals, cultural events and artistic programming draw residents, national and international tourists, scholars and artists, writers, storytellers, poets, dancers, and actors to a thriving, community of historic urban scale. The Corridor contributes to the local and regional economy, the conservation of its cultural resources benefits and unites people and places. Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Draft Management Plan Contents I. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 1 II. Authorization and Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 5 III. Vision Statement ............................................................................................................................................. 7 IV. Community Engagement ................................................................................................................................. 8 Public Engagement Plan ............................................................................................................................ 8 Phase I ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Phase II ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Phase III ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Logistics For Phases I-III ............................................................................................................ 9 On-Going Communication And Engagement ........................................................................... 10 Observations & Findings ......................................................................................................................... 10 V. Heritage Corridor Interpretive Plan ............................................................................................................... 12 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Themes .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Diversity .................................................................................................................................... 13 Buffalo: African Americans in Civic Society and Community Life ......................................... 13 Buffalo: Source, Context and Incubator for National African American Culture and Thought ................................................................................................................. 13 Interpretation - Historic Time Periods ..................................................................................................... 14 Interpretation - Areas of Significance ...................................................................................................... 14 Corridor Boundaries: Multiple Areas Definition ..................................................................................... 15 Multiple Resource Areas Rationale ........................................................................................... 15 Michigan Avenue Heritage Corridor ....................................................................................................... 15 Figure 1 – Michigan Street Heritage Corridor ........................................................................... 16 Heritage Corridor Rationale ...................................................................................................... 17 Neighborhoods .......................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 2 – Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Neighborhoods ................... 18 Churches and Religious Organizations ..................................................................................... 19 Michigan Avenue at Broadway Area ........................................................................................ 20 Figure 3 – Michigan Avenue at Broadway Area ....................................................................... 21 Michigan Avenue "Contributing/Target Area" ........................................................................................ 22 Figure 4 – Michigan Avenue Contributing/Target Area ........................................................... 23 Thematic African American Heritage Area ............................................................................................. 23 i Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Draft Management Plan Figure 5 – Michigan Avenue Thematic African American Heritage Area ................................ 24 Historic Documents and Records .............................................................................................. 28 Preservation And Protection of Historic Resources ................................................................................. 29 Collaborative Stewardship ........................................................................................................ 29 Church Preservation .................................................................................................................. 29 Historic Documents Stewardship .............................................................................................. 29 Building Demolition .................................................................................................................. 30 Cultural Landscape .................................................................................................................... 30 Educational Opportunities ....................................................................................................................... 31 VI. Existing Conditions and Community Resources ........................................................................................... 33 Existing Land Use ................................................................................................................................... 33 Residential/Commercial/Industrial ............................................................................................ 33 Parks/Recreational/Open Space/Vacant Parcels ........................................................................ 33 Figure 6 Vacant Property Ownership ...................................................................................... 34 Community/Institutional Resources .......................................................................................... 34 Figure 7 Land Use Map .......................................................................................................... 35 Figure 8 Section A - Ferry Street To Best Street .................................................................... 36 Table 1 Section A Parcel Count ............................................................................................ 36 Figure 9 Section B - Best Street To Goodell Street ................................................................ 37 Table 2 Section B Parcel Count ............................................................................................. 37 Figure 10 Section C - E. Tupper Street To Swan Street ........................................................... 38 Table 3 Section C Parcel Count ............................................................................................