399 Amherst Street

BLACK ROCK LANDMARK THREATENED. A distinctive, center-towered mixed use building designed and built by Wladislaw Zawadzki, perhaps Buffalo Polonia's most notable designer of the early 20th century, is the subject of a demolition application to be reviewed by the city Preservation Board this Thursday, November 21, at its 3:00pm meeting in room 901 of City Hall. The public is urged to comment. The owner, who operates a flower shop at the 399 Amherst Street address, claims the foundation is in poor condition. It is assessed at $80,000. The building is a pair with 408 Amherst across the street, also designed by Zawadzki, and acts as a gateway to the Grant-Amherst commercial district.

The building was constructed around 1910, and is in good condition, occupied by the flower shop, and until forced out by sharply increased rents, several residential tenants. The owner has not attempted to sell the building on the open market, and it is not known whether there are any plans for the vacant lot a demolition would leave on Amherst Street.

Zawadzki also designed the Polish Cadets building around the corner on Grant Street, as well as the original St. Floarian's church and school on Hertel Avenue nearby. Zawadzki is best known for his East Side work, which includes several churches and the Dom Polski. He is also credited with designing the former Holy Trinity complex in Niagara Falls.