How an Italian Center was Created  and a Building Saved

By Dr. Francesco Giacobbe  and  Michael Giallombardo

Pianta la vite, e l’ulivo per tuo figlio

Plant the vine for yourself and the olive tree for your child

In the Fall of 2015, the authors of this article sat on a bench in front of the old North Park Library at Hertel and Delaware Avenues which was constructed in 1

        The discussion between the authors focused on a possible site for an Italian Cultural Center.  Both thought that the North Park  Library might be a wonderful site for just a Center. It was located at the gateway of Hertel Avenue and signs posted indicated it was part of “Little Italy.”

        There was a large sign on the grounds of the Library stating that the building was for “For Sale” by the City of Buffalo. The authors  called the City real estate department that handles real estate matters and were informed that the building was sold to Benderson Development Company. A real let down. Benderson was going to raze the building and “Construct a retail project that would also eliminate the green space on the corner.”

       On January 29, 2016 a “Buffalo News” article stated that the North Park Library  was given  “Landmark Status” by the Buffalo Preservation Board. This status had to be approved by the Buffalo  Common Council.  The building had been abandon by the city in 2008 because the removal of asbestos and other repairs  would be too costly. There was question, if they  (Common Council) approved Landmark Status they would still own it and have to preserve it. Would they want to do that? 

       After the “News” article, there were several “Letters to the Editor’ regarding the Landmark Status, which expressed uses for the building.  One letter suggested that the old Library could be converted to an Italian Center and Museum, (See figure 1) where Italian American developers could get together to create such a Center. 

      The possible designation of Landmark Status also aroused the interest of the several  North Park community groups. They contacted the authors to find out if they would be interested in participating with them in  trying to save the building from demolition.

      On February 20 2016 a community meeting was conducted to find ways to save the building.  It was decided that several community groups, along with the authors would attend Council meetings to try and sway them. There was considerable support from the community for the Council Members to  designate “Landmark Status” to the Library and the green space around the building, one thought. At a Council meeting in March of 2016 the authors stated that the building would be a perfect fit as an Italian Cultural Center. Council Member Joel Feroleto was at the meeting and presented  a positive position for an Italian Center for the site.   After the meeting no one could read what the Council was thinking but from statements made by several members, it did not look good. The Status was rejected; however, the decision was appealed in State Supreme Court where it stated that there would be a use for the building, ie. a Cultural Center.  The Council granted the Landmark Status.   

After status was given, Council member Feroleto promised the North Park Community that he would set up a public hearing with the Common Council regarding the use of the building.  He kept his promise and on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 2:00PM in the Council chambers a meeting was scheduled to listen to groups presenting their ideas and use of the building.

      At the public hearing, several ideas were presented. As many as fifteen speakers rose to advocate that the building be returned to its original use, a public library.  There was a lot of passion for this idea. They (The speakers) had mentioned their own childhood experiences at the library and wanted their children and or grandchildren to have these same experiences.  Other speakers wanted it turned in a community center. That was a good possibility.

The authors were the only two to show up who had a different view of the site. (Other members of the Italian community were invited to attend.) The authors stated they would like to see it renovated and become an Italian Cultural and Heritage Center. They spoke passionately how beneficial it would be to the community.

     ( Before the meeting the authors sat down and drafted “Proposals” and “Rational” for an Italian Center ( Figure #2))

     They distributed the portfolio of “Proposals” and “Rational” to the Council Members for their review.  After looking at the Proposal document and listening to all the speakers and at a later date in March of 2017 they granted  the CCI (Centro Culturale Italiano Di Buffalo) the right to establish an Italian Culturale Heritage Center at the site of the old Library. Mission accomplished.

      Next, Mayor Brown had to accept the recommendations of the Council which he did after holding many meetings (With the strong encouragement of one of the authors, (Dr. Giacobbe)) with developer Rocco Termini and former Mayor Anthony Masiello and Council Member Joel Feroleto.  They had to convince him that the project was attainable and would be a great asset to the community and the City.  The Mayor cut the Ribbon at the old library site  at a ceremony in the month of July 2017, announcing the “Centro Culturale Italiano Di Buffalo” are the new owners.

     The next challenge was to raise money to renovate the old Library. It was estimated that to renovate it would cost around  two million dollars ($2,000,000) (It truly was a mess, internally and externally. It had been vacant since 2008 and the damage was extensive. Many who saw the building were discouraged and thought it would be too much to take on and did not participate.)

      A building planning committee was created to oversee the redevelopment of the building.  The committee lead by Rocco Termini, who oversaw the reconstruction and coordinated with contractors to fulfill its creation.  Many of the contractors were of Italian American descent and donated time and material. Another committee was formed to raise funds. This was headed by Anthony Masiello, former Mayor of Buffalo.

     Through the Generosity of many individuals this dream of an Italian Cultural Center was accomplished. The official opening of the Center was in October of 2021.