Preparing to Grow a Community

Photo provided by Steuben Trust

Jim Knapp, SVP-Retail Sales Manager, Marcella Bledsoe, VP and Manager

WELLSVILLE: Starting 2018 with proof of generosity and community spirit, Steuben Trust Bank gave a $1,000 boost to Allegany County’s Fassett Green Space Project in Wellsville. Marcella Bledsoe, VP and Manager in Wellsville, said, “Steuben Trust is delighted to support the redevelopment of South Main Street in Wellsville.”

                That spot on South Main was a different place in 1870 when Isaac Fassett built his grand hotel there on a plot of land that had already seen 4 decades of commerce and was the site of some of Wellsville’s early town meetings. The Fassett house was meant to last, architecturally demanding to endure, proclaiming those demands with brick exterior walls encasing thick interior firewalls. Isaac Fassett didn’t intend to allow a repeat of the 1867 fire that devastated Wellsville’s Main Street. Having survived for over 130 years, the building was brought down in 2005 by leaky water pipes and, despite the 1870 efforts, a fire

                In the first centuries of the Village of Wellsville, community spaces were located inside of structures. In our time with this project, the community will be invited to an open space with crops, a living maze, and people sitting, talking and feeling at home.

                This project began as a community garden a few years ago but a garden without water is a Sisyphean struggle. There were a few crops planted in those early years but the project needed on site water, more people to share the effort, and funds. Once it was taken on by Art For Rural America (AFRA) all those things started lining up. Rescuing the project from its persistent and desperate thirst, K. S. LaForge installed water service and the Village of Wellsville pledged free water to the site.

                Cassandra Bull is president of AFRA and with Andrew Harris and Andy Glanzman makes up the energizing core of AFRA. Harris had the original idea for the community food garden, a shared growing space for crops and acted as water carrier for flowers, rhubarb, garlic and more catching the attention of AFRA. AFRA has changed the focus and now all board members are focused on creating a “greenspace” with a garden and with installations such as a meditation labyrinth, a mini theater area, and annual gardens to create a space that would be open to and welcoming of social gatherings and educational programming.

                At this point, support for the project has been voiced by WIC, the Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wellsville Central School, Wellsville YMCA, Total Senior Care, ASC, the Wellsville Chamber, Immaculate Conception School and the Village of Wellsville. In addition to today’s donation from Steuben Trust Bank, other sizable donations have been made or pledged by Alco Federal Credit Union. K. S. LaForge Disposal, Allegany County Area Foundation, the Wellsville Rotary, Patricia Ann Kuzma, The Searle Family Estate and the Garman Family Foundation through the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.

                More donations are needed for construction (slated to begin in April), operation and the unpredictable, surprise expenses that are part of any large project. Donations of any size can be made online at www.youcaring.com/thefassettgreenspace where more information is posted. Another source of information is on Facebook at The Fassett Greenspace. If you prefer paper over the internet, checks may be made out out to Art for Rural America ( or just AFRA Greenspace) and mailed to 130 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.

                 AFRA Board members are available to attend your group's meeting to answer questions and provide information. The Allegany Arts Association will host a presentation about the Fassett Greenspace Project at their January meeting. If your organization is willing to host a representative and learn more about the project, contact them through ArtForRualAmerica@gmail.com or at 585-808-0385. If you are willing to add some time and muscle to make this happen, get your work gloves ready and give us a call.

----http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/news/20180527/stronga-giant-donation-to-fassett-greenspace-projectstrong