Central Terminal Restoration Corporation Timeline
1997 – (August) BCT property transferred to Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. After almost 20 years of neglect and abuse, efforts begin to preserve this landmark.
1999 – $1,000,000 in Erie County money set aside to rehab tower. Tower clocks re-lit Oct. 1st.
2000 – Big snow storm…city dumps truckloads of snow on already unstable site. CTRC sues city for $1 million, claim was settled, forgiving $70,000 in back taxes for BCT
2003 – After removal of 350 tons of debris, asbestos abatement in the main concourse, roof repairs, and enclosure of 4000 windows, terminal is re-opened for tours
2003 – November – BCT is named to the Preservation League of New York State’s Seven To Save list.
2004 – Buffalo Central Terminal turns 75 – with a big celebration. The CTRC receives $101k from the City of Buffalo for rehab of the building. Campaign to return the original concourse clock begins.
2004 – August – Internationally known artist Spencer Tunick fills the concourse with nearly 1800 naked bodies in the name of art.
2005 – May – The concourse clock returns to Buffalo and is installed for the 2005 season in the concourse. Many thanks to M&T Bank and WBEN for aiding in its return. The clock is currently on display at M&T Center in downtown Buffalo.
2006 – Buffalo Central Terminal sees record breaking numbers of visitors – including 20,000 in September alone, due to our first ever Train Show, the Buffalo Brewfest, and the annual Picnic on the Plaza Oktoberfest.
2007 – The CTRC celebrates its 10th anniversary. Dyngus Day returns to Central Terminal.
2008 - We competed two large capital improvement projects: abatement in the restaurant area, and new concrete work on the entrance corner. Most notably however, was the acceptance of the Daniel B. Niederlander Award for “outstanding programming by a local heritage organization” from the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society. It was quite a prestigious honor, and one we shared with Shea’s Performing Art Center.
