Against the Grain: A New Direction for the Old First Ward

Abstract

During the past semester, a group of eleven graduate students from the University at Buffalo have been studying the Old First Ward. Looking at the nature of buildings, distinctive streetscapes, the dynamic people who live there and what makes up the fabric of the community. The report is broken down into four chapters, a conclusion, reference and an appendix. The four chapters are: 1. History (Early Settlement, Erie Canal, A Neighborhood is Born, Industrial Development, Immigration Patterns, Settlement, The Church, Physical Changes) 2. Analysis (Demographics, Zoning and Infrastructure, Land Value and Real Estate, Community Services, Built Environment) 3. Neighborhood Conservation Districts (Types of NCDs, Case Studies) 4. Old First Ward Conservation District (Sample Ordinance, Design Guidelines).