How To Stop Slumlords and Protect Urban Spaces

Today, Abby is joined by Bernice Radle, a small-scale developer and historic building preservationist from Buffalo, New York. They cover two developing stories: First, a new bill was proposed that would give the Buffalo housing court more power to sell or repair buildings taken from absentee or negligent landlords. Second, the Historic Preservation Fund is currently at risk.

Bernice and Abby discuss how these changes could affect small-scale developers and historic preservationists. Bernice also explores how these two fields are closely linked and should work together to save urban spaces.

ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES

• “Proposed bill would give Buffalo housing court greater authority over derelict properties” by Nate Benson, WGRZ (May 2025).

• “Preservation Under Threat: A Critical Moment for the Historic Preservation Fund” by Preservation Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo Rising (June 2025).

• See more from Bernice:

  • Strong Towns

  • Neighborhood Evolution

  • Preservation Buffalo Niagara

• Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

• Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

 

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