VOLUNTEERS’ CENTRAL TERMINAL CLEANUP A LABOR OF LOVE 5/21/2000
VOLUNTEERS’ CENTRAL TERMINAL CLEANUP A LABOR OF LOVE.
(LOCAL) Tony Plowden. May 21, 2000
COPYRIGHT 2000 The Dialog Corporation
Buffalo’s majestic Central Terminal got some long-overdue attention Saturday.
A small army of volunteers spruced up the grounds of the neglected East Side landmark.
Cleaning up for a cause was a labor of love by the Preservation Coalition of Erie County and the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. This is the third year for the work detail.
“This is a tremendous project,” said Scott Field, president of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. “I truely believe that the Buffalo Central Terminal can be the center of economic means in the city again.”
The Central Terminal opened to a rail-traveling public on June 22, 1929, when Buffalo was considered one of the nation’s premier rail hubs.
But after World War II, railroad travel began a long, slow decline. The beginning of the end for the towering landmark began in 1979, when Amtrak pulled out.
Despite the ravages of neglect, the landmark has not been forgotten. Russell Pawlak, an organizer of the work party, believes the time is right for the old terminal’s rebirth.
“We have $1 million . . . to secure the structure of the building,” said Pawlak, referring to money in place to stem further decline of the terminal.
Saturday’s work detail planted trees, cut grass and weeds and hauled away a considerable amount of accumulated trash.
“The terminal is important to the Western New York community,” said Terry Sprague, a volunteer from West Falls. “Everyone loves the terminal — the building has a special meaning to everybody here.”
Jeff Ingersoll, secretary of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp., believes the impact is felt throughout the community. “This project is important to the neighborhoods. The cleanup makes a huge difference,” Ingersoll said.
“The overall message in today’s cleanup (is), we have a great past and an opportunity for a wonderful future,” Pawlak said.
