26-18 : 125 Doat Street - Designate the Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church as a local landmark.

This item proposes to designate the Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church Complex at 125 Doat Street, Buffalo, NY 14211, as a local landmark. The complex, including the church, parsonage, and garages, was primarily constructed in 1911 by architect Jacob Oberkircher in the Gothic Revival style with Romanesque and Craftsman elements. Its period of significance spans 1911-1990, marking its continuous service to the community.

Historical and Community Significance: Originally the Jerusalem Evangelical and Reformed Church, it became the Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church in 1975. The church has been a cornerstone of Buffalo's East Side, identified with prominent figures like Rev. Maceo M. Freeman, who established a soup kitchen feeding 80-220 people daily since 1983, and William Robinson, a long-serving Erie County Legislator. It has consistently provided extensive community outreach, including food/clothing drives, youth programs, and hosting events like the 2022 "Worship Without Worry" security summit after the Tops Market massacre.

Justification and Benefits: Landmark status is sought to recognize its historical, cultural, and architectural value, and to facilitate access to funding for much-needed repairs and restoration following 2022 damage from burst pipes and extreme weather. Supporters, including the current Pastor Rev. Patricia A. Bufford, Preservation Buffalo Niagara, and Congressman Timothy M. Kennedy, emphasize that designation will promote heritage tourism, stimulate local business, foster community pride, and ensure the preservation of this vital African American legacy.