In the last 60 years, Buffalo has had only one Republican mayor, Chester Kowal who served one term(1962-1965). All of this time, the city has been decling in population. Coincidence?
I looked at the house I lived in from 2-4 (Wick Street- near Broadway and Bailey, thank got we moved to Cheektowaga). On Google Street View, the house I lived in is still there and it looks lived in. The one to the right is boarded up. The ones behind it on Lidell have all ben torn down.
I read in the BN about a burning car was found with a body in it on Swinburne (next to St John Kanty's Church). On Google Street view, evert house on that block was boarded up or torn down.
My godmother and her husband lived on Goodyear between Sycamore and the RR tracks to the south. They were the last white family on the block. The block was solid with occupied homes. They had someone steal their car from their driveway in broad daylight while they were home. They twice had someone break in and fight with my godmother's husband. Her daughter drove by there a few years ago (never again she said) and said the roof of the porch was collapsed. That home is still on Google Street View In that whole block, only eight homes are still standing. A few are still occupied
Don't blame the landlords. My B-I-L 's fried owned the house across from my godmothers. He made all the required upgrades before he rented it out the first time. The tenants ended up breaking all the windows and destroying at least 3 bathroom sinks and toilets. He just gave up and let the city take the property.
If Buffalo would be up to date on tearing down vacant buildings, it would look like Detroit.