Western New York is home to a remarkable number and variety of cultural organizations. Indeed, on this basis it outshines communities many times its size throughout the country. Yet, we lack a public facility which offers our cultural organizations both high quality and affordable performing and exhibit space. The critical need for such space has been identified by numerous theatre, opera, dance, music, literary and visual arts organizations and it has been confirmed in studies commissioned by Arts Council In Buffalo and Erie County. Alleyway Theatre Incorporated will help satisfy this need by creating Upper West Arts Center.

Alleyway President Leonard London receives a $1,000 donation from Daniel Roblin, Member of The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation.

Saving Western New York's historic architecture requires that threatened structures be matched up with practical uses, satisfying real needs, in ways that are sensible and fiscally viable.  This project is that perfect blend.  It will save one of Buffalo's great houses of worship and give it new life as one of the area's finest performance facilities. At the time of its purchase, the alternative for this building was to be stripped of its valuable interior features, woodwork and windows, and put to use as cold storage.  Now, it will serve the region as the area's only community based, multi-use center for the arts.

Situated at the corner of Richmond Avenue and West Ferry Street the century-old former Richmond Avenue United Methodist Church is a 36,000 sq. ft. structure of Medina sandstone, featuring an impressive bell tower, stained glass windows, and a grand central dome. The original floor plan was an ideal starting point for an adaptive re-use as an arts center. Upper West Arts Center will feature a 99 seat drama theatre, a 600 seat concert hall, meeting rooms, rehearsal halls, artist studios, offices, a caterer's kitchen, a banquet hall, and exhibit gallery. The elegant, and acoustically perfect, concert hall is equipped with a 2,300 pipe grand pipe organ; among the area's finest.

The development of Upper West Arts Center will provide a first rate facility for Western New York cultural organizations while preserving one of the area's finest historic structures. It will be home to Theatre Plus, offer educational programs and welcome community volunteer involvement foster neighborhood stabilization, beautification, economic development, and be a boon to cultural tourism.  The total cost of the initial phase of this capital project, including purchase, is $1.5 million.

The property was purchased on October 28, 1998.  Tax exemption was granted and on February 1, 1999 interim repairs were begun. Early funding was received from The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, The Erwin H. Johnson Memorial Fund, Inc., and The Elster Foundation. Other support was provided by New York State Council On The Arts, M&T Bank, New York State Cultural Facilities Enhancement Fund, The Spaulding Foundation, The Fatta Foundation, Erie County, and donations were made by hundreds of private individuals. In October, 2000, State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt announced the awarding of a $250,000 Strategic Investment Program Grant. During our first three years of ownership the facility was used on an ongoing basis by a small religious congregation, a dance school, a professional caterer, and individual artists rented studios. The dozens of short-term performance and meeting space renters included a wide range of arts and community organizations.  Then, in June, 2001, and for the first time in its 100 year history, the building had to be emptied of all activity so that renovations could begin. Renovations have included: completion of all demolition, installation of metal stud, upgrade of heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, installation of a new 4-stop elevator, installation of two new ground level entry ways, two new steel stair cases, new roof section and loft windows in the central stair well, new basement drainage/waterproofing system, new sidewalks, curbs and blacktop, landscaping/seeding, incidental roof repairs, installation of a new fire alarm system, and various theatre equipment has been purchased for the building. The project architect is Gerald Strickland, Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects, LLC. The total investment to date is over $981,000. Hundreds of volunteer hours have been donated, and recognition of our efforts have been bestowed by neighborhood revitalization organizations and area preservationists. A little over $600,000 is required to reach the point of opening the doors and serving the public.