About

The University Heights Collaborative (UHC) is a community-based group of residents and other interested people working together to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all in our neighborhood. Our committees include: Beautification, Business Involvement, Communication, Neighborhood Watch, and Landlord Outreach. We also serve as an umbrella organization for Block Clubs and Neighborhood Watch groups in University Heights.

Mission:
To maintain and enhance the quality of life within the University Heights by working with residents, property owners, block clubs, UB staff and students, law enforcement, business owners and elected officials in order to coordinate and develop resources and responsibilities within the community.

Vision:
A University Heights neighborhood that is safe and has a vibrant business district utilizing and revitalizing walkability, diversity, affordable housing stock, and green space where people desire to live.

Our Board:

Molly Poremski (President)
Ray Reichert (Vice President)
Mike Cartwright (Treasurer)
Susan Carpenter (Secretary)
Darren Cotton
Dayna Overton Burns
Erricka Willard
Gail Wilsky
Gary Lobley
Jane Byrnes
Jennifer Tuttle
Kirk McLean
Linda Garwol
Lynne Hertienne
Roslyn Righetti
Stephen Arlington

Press
We’ll feature stories on our press page that shine a positive light on the University Heights and the great work of its citizens and organizations.

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS COLLABORATIVE GENERAL MEETING IN PERSON

Location: Gloria J Parks Community Center, 3258 Main Street Buffalo 14214

Time: April 9, 2024 @ 7:00 PM

Expected Guests:

BPD E-District Chief Todd McAlister

Tomás A. Aguirre, EdD, Dean of Students, University at Buffalo

Jordan Nicholson, UB Community Affairs

Dylan Steed, UB Community Affairs

Shawn Engel, owner of 67 Englewood and multiple Heights properties

Welcome and Agenda Overview
Welcome CM Wyatt
E-District Chief Todd McAlister (introduction)
UB Dean of Students Tomás A. Aguirre, EdD (introduction)
UB Updates NOT relating to 67 Englewood
67 Englewood
Condition of rentals/housing stock
Noise and Quality of Life Concerns Generally, how to work together
Galaxy Glass update
Main St. tenant matters

We may also be streaming vis Zoom

Topic: University Heights Collaborative’s Zoom Meeting
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84487843330?pwd=cnlRUEY3UU5wTkt1WmphTXpCVWRUUT09

Meeting ID: 844 8784 3330
Passcode: 422596

DOCUMENT

University Height Collaborative General Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2022

Called to order at 7:00 pm on zoom

Chief Menza reported on neighborhood issues. There was a break in on September 10 at 63 Montrose, a student was assaulted and robbed. The police tracked an I-pad stolen during the break in and arrested the burglars. They recovered stolen property from that burglary and from another on Lisbon. The suspects were charged with 1st degree burglary and robbery. Students are back, police details run on Friday and Saturday and hey have written several $1,500 fines and reported the incidents to UB. 63 Montrose, owned by Sean Engle, is a new party house and the house has been causing big problems in the community, and Chief Menza indicated he would make sure his detail officers are aware of it. Chief Menza noted some of the parties have moved over to the west side of Main. Chief Menza said the Councilman and UB have helped to make the students accountable for disruptive behavior. Responsibility of landlords for the problems was discussed. Tickets go to the student if a responsible a student responsible for the party can be located. If not, they are issued to the landlord.
Report from Dylan on updates from UB. Dylan will report the October 8 recycling event in the newsletter. There has been a search for Tess’s replacement, no news yet. He will locate the tickets written by the police department and bring the students in for hearings. Dylan noted that tickets that go to the landlord cannot be used by UB to discipline students. Dylan has heard of incidents this year on Heath and Minnesota as well as Montrose. UB has been named a flagship University which comes with some money for the campus, and he can have the University provide an update on plans for the south campus. The last community update was in 2018. He also indicated that Allen Hall is meant to provide space for community meetings, and, while it still needs some updating, it has been cleaned up, can be used for community events and he can arrange a UHC meeting there. Dylan will also add a note in the student newsletter about the dangers of big anonymous parties potentially allowing houses to be cased for future robberies.
Report from Councilperson Wyatt’s community breakfast: He discussed the issues the community East of Bailey is having with a proposed opiate treatment center and the issues it creates for the neighborhood. He also discussed the redesign of Bailey Ave from Winspear to Delevan. The city is looking for community input. He also noted large garbage pickup is coming the week of October 2.
A representative of Safehouse Buffalo reported on a new program for teens, ages 13 to 21, providing a safe space for activities and programs at 66 Englewood. Mike will put information on website. Erricka noted they had a Restorative Justice program there in the past and will contact her for future programs.
Mike noted a rail trail linear park clean up and repainting of mural on September 24.
The Council will have a meeting to decide on a special use permit for a new vape shop on Main Street. The community already had too many vape shops, and this one opened without a permit and had to be closed by the city. The IUHC will follow the process and provide input.
There will be a plant and seed exchange at the Presbyterian Church parking lot September 24 10 to 2.
Tom reported on recycled furniture demonstration project he created making furniture from recycled wood. The pieces were at the Tool Library during the summer and he is interested in making more. Community members are interested in seeing more of his work in the future.
Mike reported on the TOD workshops he attended. The biggest project proposed is the development at the Lasalle station parking lot. Mike gave a summary of the TOD planning for complete streets on Main and TOD development along Main at various subway stops. Sessions for community input for the Lasalle Station project will be on consecutive Wednesdays at Gloria Parks beginning Sept 14. Mike sent notice to our email list, and the community needs to be involved in the planning process to ensure it considers the needs of the community not just the profits of the developer. The sessions will focus on Greenspace, Housing and Transportation. The TOD class discussed other neighborhoods that would be redeveloped. The goals were to promote local businesses and to provide traffic calming. They discussed incorporating existing businesses, green infrastructure, bike lanes and stormwater management. Lasalle station is the biggest project. Connecting McCarthy Park, Shoshone Park and the Rail Trail was discussed, and the importance connecting Linear Park to the Rail Trail and Shoshone with green space was also discussed. The east side trail connection, a continuation of the old rail line on its old route to McCarthy Park was also discussed as a better alternative to routing the trail down Lasalle Street. And finally, the need to create a safe way to cross Main Street at this site was discussed as a tunnel or a bridge.