Miller Breathes New Life Into the CTRC
By Elena Cala Buscarino
Buffalo Rising 5-14-08
Michael Miller is the new President of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) after serving 5 years as a board member. Miller succeeds Russell Pawlak who recently stepped down after 8 years as president.
“This is one of my passions in life, and I want to see this project done in my lifetime,” Miller said of the efforts to turn the terminal into a mixed-use facility that will house offices, restaurants and include light industrial use of the baggage building. “It’s so large a project. Our goal has never been to restore it to the sole function of being a train station, but if we can build foot traffic, the terminal will have purpose again and could possibly be used for Amtrak and light rail.”
The terminal, which is structurally sound, according to Miller, suffered most of its demise in a 12 year period starting in the early 90′s. The damage that was done involved removing many of the original fixtures and the wear that came with weather and vandalism. But those seeking to save and renew the terminal do so with an eye toward the future and the best of intentions toward saving the historic landmark.
“We have a very diverse board, and many of us have been around for years. Yuri has been on the board for 7 years, while Edward Werick, Sara Etten and I came at the same time,” Miller said. Mark Lewandowski is Treasurer and Vice President, and Sara Etten is Secretary, along with Kate Resetarits, Yuri Hreschyshyn and Ed Werick, who will remain on the board of directors. “We will be looking to fill 3 vacant board positions before the end of the year,” Miller announced.
Current projects are the renovation of the restaurant area for use as a small event or conference facility, the preparation of the 4th floor of the tower for use as a model for redevelopment and the preparation of an upper tower floor for use as an observation area.
We’ve had great benefactors such as M&T, who gave $25K in 2005 for the purchase of the original clock. “Local companies and individuals have been very good to us. We have good working partnerships, and this is a such a large job,” Miller said of the overall project. “Dollars have really been our biggest obstacle. And we can always use more people whose strength and experience lies in getting a project like this moving forward.”
Miller said that he has people with will and an extra pair of hands who help get the job done, but can always use more. Email volunteercoord@buffalocentralterminal.org or visit www.buffalocentralterminal.org for more information. Miller would like to see a full house for this year’s Spring Clean Up on Saturday, May 17, from 9AM to 1PM, and free lunch and beverages will be provided to all volunteers.
Miller, who never aspired to be president and was just happy to be a part of the CTRC effort said the presidency came as a little surprise to him. When asked if it was a matter of him stepping forward, or his colleagues on the board taking a step back and pointing at him, he said it was more of the former. “But,” Miller added, “I want everyone to know the project is in good hands.”
CTRC Clean Up
May 17, 9 to 1
