Buffalo Central Terminal

Central Terminal Listed as Seven to Save Site

Landmark Society Fall Winter 2003

Statewide visibility is the goal for Buffalo’s Central Terminal as it was revealed to be the first “Seven to Save” project announced this year by the Preservation League of New York State. The announcement was made in the Central Terminal concourse on November 20, 2003 by Tania Werbizky, the Director of Technical and Grant Programs for the Preservation League of NYS, while trains whistled on cue in the background.

The League has aided 28 historic sites thus far since the programs inception in 1999. Seven threatened places from across New York State are selected for this annual list of the most endangered properties within the state. With this listing as a Seven to Save site comes the League’s pledge to support and bring statewide attention to the rehabilitation of the Central Terminal, while identifying new financial resources. “A reopened Central Terminal will provide jobs in the planning and rehabilitation phases and as it operates the impact will be significant,” Ms. Werbizky noted.

There were an array of political and preservation leaders on hand to deliver their thoughts on what this listing will mean for the Terminal. Erie County Executive Joel Giambra addressed the crowd stating that he is “looking forward to work with the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation and all preservation groups in Erie County.” The County Executive was also on hand to evaluate the progress of the Terminal’s rehabilitation; Erie County invested $1,000,000 towards the removal of 300 tons of debris, the repair of several flat roofs of the concourse and tower, and weather sealing 4,000 enclosures within the complex in 2002-03.

Fillmore District Councilman David Franczyk, a trustee of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, stated he is looking to secure block grant money for the Terminal in 2004. “Incrementally, progress is happening,” noted Russell Pawlak, the president of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. This project “transcends all generations.” In 2000, Assemblyman Paul Tokasz was able to provide member item money to repair and illuminate the Terminal’s clock, which inspired over 4,000 people from across the world to partake in a Saturday open house event in June. Extraordinary visitor numbers like this are not uncommon to the Terminal on event days. Through the hard work of the Restoration Corporation, the
Niagara Frontier has embraced the importance of this Art Deco landmark.

The Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier nominated the Central Terminal for the “Seven to Save” program because of the architectural and historical significance of the station and its belief that with more local, state, and federal support of this project, the Central Terminal will be a successful Niagara Frontier preservation project.

Robert Shibley, president of the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier, thanked the Preservation League of NYS for their recognition of this historic structure stating that “the Central Terminal is an opportunity for the Landmark Society, Preservation Coalition, and NYS state and Erie County leadership to work together to make this preservation project happen.”