By Tami Watt, Editor
Salamanca, NY is the only city in the United States that sits on sovereign Indigenous territory knows as the Allegany Indian Reservation which belongs to the Seneca Nation.
The Seneca Nation and city of Salamanca have teamed up to enter HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover.” The Seneca Media and Communications Center produced a three minute video detailing why Salamanca is the perfect contestant for a “takeover.” Days of a bustling railroad city are gone with dilapidated buildings and empty store fronts lining Main St.
“Salamanca’s unique, five thousand people, we’re the poorest city in New York state but you do a helmet drive or somebody needs help, everybody is there,” says Mayor Michael Smith.
“It would be amazing to see kids walking up and down Main Street, having stuff going on for them, a place where they could be, activities, and being a part of something,” Michala Redeye said.
Full of rich history and culture, Salamanca meets the requirements of a population less than 40,000, has buildings with architecture in need of a face-lift, and a Main Street that needs remodeling. If chosen, the series would run a six episode special event next year in 2021. The “takeover” would include rehabbing homes plus the revitalization of public spaces such as parks, local diners, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
“Salamanca is beautiful city with a rich historical and architectural past. If we can revitalize downtown, stabilize the architecture, we could help bring that memory and history back again,” says Jare Cardinal.
