The ongoing restoration of one of Buffalo's unique architectural treasures is continuing, thanks to the help of Erie County.
The county's capital budget includes $500,000 for the Darwin Martin House, Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece on Jewett Parkway.
Martin House Restoration Corporation President Jack Walsh says the 17-year-old project is currently in the final major phase.
"With this grant we can begin the process to restore the extensive wood trim and intricate paint finishes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for all three levels of this 15,000 square-foot home."
To date, Walsh says nearly $46 million from the public and private sectors have been raised for the restoration effort. Martin House Executive Director Mary Roberts says the site is attracting between 25,000- 30,000 visitors a year.
"But significantly about 65 percent of those visitors are coming from outside Western New York and that's before we market the Martin House. So we will quickly double that number and then see where we can go beyond that."
Roberts says the county funds will help get the restoration work done so the Martin House can be marketed as a completed site.
She says a comprehensive marketing and branding campaign is in the works for 2014.