Buffalo Central Terminal

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Central Terminal at the 80th Anniversary. It was another great event, and we hope to see you at the next one.

Check them all out Here

Some more information and approximate times for the 80th Anniversary Celebration.

The entire event will be inside the concourse. There will be tables and chairs available, but they are first come first serve, so feel free to bring your own lawn chairs.

The reinstalled concourse clock will of course be available for photographs, and the new reproduction of the Dedication Day Plaque will be unveiled. There will be a formal flag presentation (flag once hung over the Capitol) at 5:00 and the music will start at 5:30pm (music ends at 9:30).

Food and drink will be available during the entire event.

The event runs from 5pm to 10 pm and admission is a $5 donation at the door. See you there!!

Just a reminder, join us for our 80th Anniversary. Be sure to congratulate Mike on his new job too!

Central Terminal Celebrates 80th Anniversary
Mark Scott (2009-06-22)

BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) – When it was crumbling more than a decade ago, many people thought the Central Terminal would never see its 80th anniversary. But thanks to the volunteer efforts of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, an anniversary celebration will be held at the terminal this Saturday. And organizers of the event are optimistic about what the future might hold for the landmark structure.

Since it was formed in 1997, the Restoration Corporation has made steady progress in bringing back the terminal to what it once was. This Saturday, a party with a World War II USO theme will be held to celebrate the 80th anniversary. Party-goers will see a number of improvements, including the return of the concourse clock that was brought back to the region by M & T Bank.

Corporation Vice President Mark Lewandowski says they’re now focusing on development options for the Central Terminal. And that’s why he’s enthused by all the recent talk about high speed rail in New York.

It’s been 30 years since the terminal last saw rail passengers. But Lewandowski says he and other volunteers believe the terminal could come full circle and once again be used for arriving and departing trains.

Saturday’s celebration is open to the public and will feature music, food and refreshments, starting at 5:00pm. Admission is $5.00, payable at the door. More information is available at www.buffalocentralterminal.org.

The next time you walk into the concourse, look up over the ticket windows. You’ll notice something new is old again.

The owners of Goergen-Mackwirth Co. of Buffalo, Wayne Mertz and his wife Pat, donated their facility on Hertel Avenue to help reproduce the art deco railing that once lined the mezzanine level.

John Heleack, Tom Stotz and Marty Slawiak spent countless hours on this project scanning original blue prints and preparing the machines for the water jet cutting process. Each panel took a half and hour to cut.

A special thanks goes to Local 71 for their help in the fabrication process. The CTRC would like to thank everyone for another small step in the restoration of Buffalo Central Terminal. View photos of the process below:

Press Release June 23, 2009
Contact: Catherine Schweitzer, Chair
Cell 870-5000 Work 883-2429

Preservation Leader Selected; Preservation Specialist Sought

Last night, the Board of Trustees of Preservation Buffalo Niagara unanimously voted to appoint Michael Miller as Preservation Buffalo Niagara’s Executive Director. In a related action, Preservation Buffalo Niagara launched a search for a new staff person, a Preservation Specialist, to provide field services and assistance to preservation organizations and owners of historic properties throughout a seven county western New York region. With these hires, Preservation Buffalo Niagara will have the most substantial preservation staff ever assembled to advance historic preservation in the Buffalo region.

Michael Miller’s selection is the culmination of a six month national search and a review of over 35 resumes submitted from applicants from throughout the country. The Search Committee was co-chaired by Steven Weiss and Blythe Merrill and included Peter Flynn, Joy McDuffie, Harvey Garrett, Catherine Schweitzer and Doug Swift. Serving as an advisor to the committee was Henry McCartney, formerly the long-time director of Rochester’s preservation organization.

Stated Steven Weiss, who is also vice chair of PBN “We are just delighted that Michael Miller will be joining us, as he has the combination of skills we are looking for. He has a passion for historic preservation and has been a volunteer leader with local preservation organizations. He also has the management skills to move our organization forward. That Michael lives and works in this region is also a plus, as he can start quickly, already knowing our people, our leaders, our architecture, our neighborhoods and our region”. Mr. Miller plans to assume his duties on July 13th.

Michael Miller currently is President of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, a volunteer position. He is also the co-founder of Broadway Fillmore Alive. In these endeavors he has worked with numerous volunteers, helped build a supporting membership, obtained support from public entities and administered grants. Professionally, Miller has been with M&T Bank since 1992, with a variety of administrative, managerial and project experiences.

Stated Miller “I am honored to be given the opportunity to work for historic preservation for our architecturally rich region. We have a lot of work to do and I am anxious to get started. I would like to thank the Preservation Buffalo Niagara search committee and board members for their confidence in me. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me!”

Preservation Buffalo Niagara was formed in October 2008 when the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier and the Preservation Coalition of Erie County joined forces with the goal of creating a substantial, professional preservation organization for the Niagara Frontier. Helping PBN move forward quickly were grants from the J:ohn R. Oishei Foundation, the DB Trust, and the Baird Foundation. PBN is also supported by over 750 members.

The Preservation Specialist position will be funded for its first three years by a “Partners in the Field” grant awarded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, with year-one matched by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. A job description is posted at www.preservationbuffaloniagara.org. Buffalo will be the host of the National Trust’s 2011 National Preservation Conference.

Stated Catherine Schweitzer, PBN’s Chair, “With the enthusiastic encouragement and investment by so many individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations, we are thrilled to see our new preservation organization moving forward so quickly. Our mandate is to prepare Buffalo to be the host of the 2011 National Historic Preservation Conference; our talented new staff will not only help us do so, but together they give us significant capacity to advance preservation in neighborhoods, villages and downtowns throughout our region.”

Preservation Buffalo Niagara 617 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone (716) 852-3300 Fax (716) 852-5340 Email: PreservationBuffaloNiagara@gmail.com
Website: www.PreservationBuffaloNiagara.org