Found on TheatreOrgans-L list.

Ron Yost

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Tonawanda News, June 1, 1999

Wurlitzer Building, emerging from 30 years of darkness.

By Christina Kelly,  Staff Writer

Cutting through the night's darkness shines the neon "Wurlitzer" sign
atop the Niagara Falls Boulevard building by the same name.  It was
re-lit about 3 months ago, after 30 years of darkness.

The sign is exactly that: a sign, a symbol of the many changes
happening in the complex as of late.  "Every week people from the
neighborhood will stop by and comment," said Tom Austin, Wurlitzer
Industrial Park owner.

Prompted by the recent state rehabilitation of Niagara Falls Boulevard,
Mr. Austin decided to take the opportunity to update the old Wurlitzer
building, which stretches about a half mile in length itself.  Last
year, he revamped and blacktopped the parking lot.  This year he is
working on the windows and the tower.

The old, and often broken, glass panes are being replaced with modern
Plexiglas picture windows.  A new window accounts for 60 small panes of
the old-fashioned glass.  Ultimately, he envisions retail stores lining
the side of the building that faces the well-trafficked Niagara Falls
Blvd.  "I just cant let 25,000 cars a day drive by with out doing
something" Mr.  Austin said.

"Reconstructing the tower -- that's going to really bring it back
to life and hopefully attract the retail customer we're looking for,"
he said.

While industrial businesses were once the main customer in a complex
like his, Mr. Austin says he sees less and less industry -- and more
people, more computers.  Now he's considering dropping the word
"Industrial" from the official name, perhaps calling it just "Wurlitzer
Building" or "Wurlitzer Park".

The park-like atmosphere was intended, and provides the ideal picture
from office windows.  One retail store is already in place, though it
may not be evident from the road.  "Visionary Baths and More" occupies
6,000 square feet.

"People walk in and say, 'Wow, I cant believe this place is in here,'"
Mr. Austin said.  He envisions a carpet store or a lighting fixture shop
next door, but will welcome any retail business.  In addition to the
available small office space, a second-floor space facing the boulevard
awaits a tenant.

The new foyer of the building showcases a classic automobile, an old
Wurlitzer organ, furniture, and a framed picture of Mr. Austin's vision
of the ultimate Wurlitzer complex, complete with new windows, tower and
repainted concrete sides.

The first Wurlitzer building in the complex was erected in 1892.  (ed.
This structure is part of the original DeKleist Barrel Organ Factory,
not built by Wurlitzer).  From there is just kept growing.  In the late
1970's, it became an industrial park, and a man named Quentin King
worked to bring in tenants to fill the space.  "Whatever needed to be
done to get the tenant, he would do it," Mr. Austin said.

Today it is nearly full, with 40 tenants accounting for 80 percent of
the utilized space.  Tenants attest to the effects the buildings' outer
appearance have had on business.  Douglas Smith, vice-president of
Fulfillment Systems International said that potential customers have
made decisions based on the plans for the building.  Mr. Smith
explained future plans to one customer and ultimately won them over.
"They certainly didn't want to come to some hole in the wall place,"
he said.

Originally thinking the sign was too expensive to both repair and run,
Mr. Austin looked into other options.  On second glance, he decided to
investigate using that old sign once again.  He randomly picked a name
out of the "signs" yellow pages listing only to find the man who had
repaired the sign back in the 60's.

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