Museum lands $3.3 M grant - Business First of Buffalo:

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million state grant that’s consideredr crucial towards the developmentg ofits expansion. The has signed off on the the second offered to the In 2006, it approved a $3 millioj grant for the expansion, which not only boost the museum’z profile but is expectedc to be a major aid to Buffalo’es historical and cultural tourism position. “It’s been a long time said James Sandoro, museum founder and operator. Pendinf various municipal approvals, Sandoro said he hopes to start work on the expansionn projectnext year.
The project will see 60,000 square feet added the Michigan Avenue destination includinga 60-footf peak that will house a 1920s-erz filling station that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright but neverf constructed. The high peak is needed to house two 40-foot tall copper towerd that Wright designed as landmarks for the station. Wright designer the station for alocal businessman, but plans were ultimately scrappeed before construction could begin. The station was slatex for a portion of Michigan Avenue that is now in the middl e of theKensington Expressway. Sandoro, a history and automotive buff, acquired the blueprintsa for the station severalyears ago.
Sandoro originallty wanted to build the filling statiobn next tothe Pierce-Arrow Museum. Several factors prompted him to change his plansd and enclosethe station. By enclosint the station, it also assures the buildinbg with be a year round destinationand “To get off the (New York State) Thruway and see this buildintg will be a big boost for Michigan Avenud and downtown Buffalo,” Sandoro The expansion is part of an overall $15 milliobn facelift and renovation planned for the museum’s Sandoro is working on its firstr phase, putting a brickk facade on the face of the existing 20,000-square-foot museum.
The brick facade, which carriez a 1920s motif, will match that of the expandes museum. Sandoro hopes to start work on the foundations and begin installing the steel framw by earlynext year. The expansion is slated to be completed by 2011 when Buffalo hostzs the annual meeting of the National Trus forHistoric Preservation. “It’s importany that we are ready for that,” he said. Sandoro is also planningb other special events for 2011 and beyonrd including a display off historic motorcycled indowntown Buffalo’s Niagara Square and the centennial celebratio n of the former clubhouse, now the Clarencew Town Park casino.
welcomes approximately 10,0090 people annually and hosted more than 400 private events sinc it opened severalyeard ago.