Michigan Avenue YMCA

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Before the YMCA was built


Photo credit: UB Archives, Buffalo Rising

Location

579 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14203
Also known as 585 Michigan Avenue
SBL: 111.47-4-24
Ellicott Council District
Google Bird's Eye View
Erie County Property Info
County Tax Map (loads GIS page)
City of Buffalo Parcel Viewer

Owner

200 BROADWAY INC per City of Buffalo Property Information
NYS Corporation and Business Entity Database

Physical Description

Four story brick building

Current Condition

Demolished. Vacant lot for four decades.

History

  • 1926 -'John Edmonston Brent became the second African-American in the country, to design a “colored” YMCA. Brent was not only the architect for this building, but he also over-saw the construction and ensured that many skilled African Americans found employment on this two year project.'
    • 'The Y, originally estimated to cost $200,000 was built at a cost of $285,000.'
    • 'Brent far exceeded his position of architect and builder to play an on-going role as member of the Board of Directors, fundraiser, consumer and contributor. He was intimately involved with the Y for the rest of his life.'
via Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, PhD, Co-founder of the Uncrowned Queens Institute
  • 1977 - Demolished

Recent Events and Actions Taken

Other Pertinent Facts

  • Often visited by prominent black figures coming to Buffalo, such as activist W.E.B. DuBois WBFO

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Added 2015-02-06 • Last changed 2018-10-09