10/26/09: Fruit Belt Family Cashes In on Community Safety at Buffalo Foreclosure Auction

BY NICKI MAYO
“I came for a fight. I came for someone going at me, going at me,” smiled Dorthea Aughtry, motioning with her paddle waving like she’s in a bidding war.
The East Buffalo native says she’s fighting to protect her Orange Street block in the Fruit Belt. Aughtry is part of FCA Development LLC, a family business working to buy properties in the 200 block. “FCA” stands for “Frank and Charlotte Aughtry” the parents of seven adult kids working to buy the block where they grew up and several live.
Seventy-five year old family matriarch Charlotte says she loves living on Orange Street. The family works together to manage several properties and also care for 78 year old patriarch Frank who’s living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
FCA Development has six houses on the family’s street. Several of the homes are split in to two and four single family apartments. They renovated the homes and rent them out to people looking to live in the Fruit Belt and take care of the neighborhood.
“No loud noise, no partying. Because we want to make it a home not a hang out place,” said Dorthea Aughtry.
“I don’t want anyone to take their stuff and tear them down and put some other stuff here,” said Perez Aughtry seated next to his mother Charlotte. “There are a lot of senior citizens in this neighborhood and churches coming up in this area,” he added looking at his mother.
The Aughtry’s bought the house next door to their parents’ home of 40 years. It’s one of 1,800 residential and 243 commercial properties on Buffalo’s foreclosure auction block.
Law requires Buffalo property owners pay taxes, user fees, sewer and water charges. But when they fall short, the city moves in and foreclosure is imminent.
“It’s a traumatic time for most people who are in this situation and we recognize that,” said Buffalo Assessment and Taxation Commissioner Martin F. Kennedy. “The city administration does everything possible to make sure it doesn’t come to this,” Kennedy added.
Monday the Aughtry’s bought a foreclosed two-family home for $1,500.
“That’s what it got me fifteen hundred dollars. A nice house with a big backyard,” Plus nice neighbors that the Aughtry’s already know. They want to buy the homes surrounding their parents’ place.
“It’s wonderful I’m excited. It’s just beautiful to know that I can control who’s next door to my parents,” Dorthea said with a huge sigh or relief.
The Aughtry family members say they are working to improve safety on Orange Street between High and East North. But abandoned eyesores like the house at 247 stands in the way. Neighbors say it’s been covered in trash for four years and suspect drug dealers and dog fighters use the location. There are several Buffalo City caution signs displayed outside the home.
“Safety, what kind of safety can there be? That stuff needs to come down and get out the way,” said Orange Street resident Mattie Davis.
Perez Aughtry says he boarded the doors at 247 years ago, but it’s not stopping the trash pile-up.
“There’s all kind of garbage, dead dogs, rats,” Perez said in disgust.
“We’ll they [Buffalo City] gonna tear it down,” interjected his mother Charlotte.
“They say they going to tear it down. I don’t care! It’s gotta to go! Nobody can live like this,” Perez told his mother.
The Aughtry’s say the garbage attracts crime and drug activity. While they can buy the homes, they can’t buy security and peace of mind.
“A lot of these young people, they’re lost. I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid for my mother and father and a lot of these other people,” said Perez holding his mother’s hand.