After sitting vacant for many years, it became clear water was leaking into 5 East Main Street. The building was long abandoned. Back taxes, liens and debris began piling up. The roof collapsed into the basement and downtown Springville was left with a dangerous and problematic property.
In September 2011, Springville Center for the Arts began working with the Village of Springville to find a solution. An engineer’s study found the facade and common walls in good shape. The building was commercially appraised at $1.
In January, 2012, the Center began exploring legal options and initial concepts for Art’s Cafe were presented. After a year of struggle and many roadblocks, a solution was found and the Center, Village and Erie County worked together to transfer the property to the Center. A specific resolution by the County Legislature extinguished the liens.
The Center proposed to redevelop the property into Art’s Cafe with a coffee house, small stage, arts workshop and artist housing. $30,000 was raised from the community in 30 days through an online fundraising campaign.
Several major State grants were awarded in the areas of historic preservation and community redevelopment. Work on facade shoring began in the summer of 2013. Despite several major setbacks along the way, including asbestos, a collapsing rear wall and unstable soils, the interior was cleaned out and a steel structure was installed by the Ironworkers Local 6 Apprenticeship program.
Floor by floor was rebuilt, preserving neighboring buildings and the historic facade. In May of 2015, with support from the Environmental Facilities Corporation, 30 trained volunteers installed the area’s first green roof. The design incorporated different approaches with an overall focus on edible green roof plants and a mission to educate the public about the technology. The roof will be fully accessible when the cafe is open.
Volunteers coordinated by the Arts Center continued to work on the project alongside contractors as time and money allowed. In 2018, Art’s Cafe Community Owners, LLC was organized to facilitate community re-investment and ownership in the project. Financing combined co-op -like ownership shares and with historic tax credits. Major construction was completed in December of 2019 with the intent to open in the Spring of 2020.
COVID drastically changed those plans, causing disruption with available financing. The Bakery opened for retail only in the fall of 2020. Over the course of 2021, the front seating was opened and gradually menu items are added and hours are still being expanded.
A partnership between our 200+ community-owners, cafe worker-owners and the nonprofit arts center operates the space. Proceeds benefit rural arts programs. The project and architect Jay Braymiller were recognized with an AIA design award.
Learn more about the History of the Building, our Worker-Owners or our Community Ownership Model.
