Two Groups Apply For South Buffalo Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Sep 29, 2008 in News 
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International Chimney Offers Free Assistance
A long inactive and deteriorating lighthouse in Buffalo, NY, will be saved from going to the GSA auction block by the timely submission of Letters of Interest from two local groups. The Buffalo Lighthouse Association and another non-profit group, the Maritime Activity Interyouth Network (MAIN), that runs the Seven Seas Sailing School, will be competing for the lighthouse. At least competing in a governmental sense, since both groups plan to partner with each other no matter which one the NPS chooses as the new owner.
Nationally recognized lighthouse restoration and relocation experts International Chimney Co., based in Williamsville, has offered to help both groups with their application process at no charge. International Chimney oversaw the recent moving of Sankaty Lighthouse earlier this year. The free engineering study offered by International Chimney will save the groups about $15,000, and put both on track to proceed wth restoration plans.
Working Together
Both groups have similar goals for restoration, which includes public access to the light, which has been inactive since 1988. “We want to restore it, make it safe to bring people out there, and use it as a marine education tool,” said Bill Zimmerman, MAIN’s executive director. “I’d love to see groups of kids and adults shuttled out there on a water taxi.”
Buffalo Lighthouse Association President Tom Johnston said his group’s goals are restoration and public access for the circa-1903 tower, which is accessible only by boat. “Our objective would be to restore it to its original condition following all the required state and federal historic guidelines.” Johnston said.
Both groups would also like to involve the city of Buffalo in their plans, and hope to make the lighthouse, located on former Bethlehem Steel property, a major tourist attraction to the waterfront. The Buffalo Lighthouse Association has already restored the 1833 Buffalo Lighthouse, located at the Coast Guard station. The group raised around $400,000 in funding for preservation of that light.
Although the lighthouse looks to be in pretty sorry shape, the story at the Buffalo News mentions that the interior is “surprisingly charming. Its inside walls are faced in natural wood beadboard and a bank of diamond-patterned window panes graces its top.”
Photo Credit: South Buffalo Lighthouse © CWBash. Some rights reserved.
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