Buffalo Central Terminal

To add yet another award, this time a national one, the Canisius College Video Institute documentary “Central Terminal: Saving a Buffalo Landmark” was recently honored for excellence in television production, earning two bronze Telly Awards in the “Documentary” and “Student Production” categories.

The Telly Awards honor outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The Video Institute project was in competition with national and international production companies, advertising agencies, cable operators and corporate video departments. The bronze Telly is the second-highest award given in this competition, and only approximately 20 percent of the 14,000 entries earn this recognition.

Congratulations once again to Barb Irwin, Kirsten Jahn and Scott Richardson on an excellent job!

We are pleased to announce that the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation has won the 2008 Daniel B. Niederlander award from the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. The award is given annually to outstanding programming by a local heritage organization, recognizing the role of Central Terminal in the regions unique history.

Thank you BECHS!

From today’s Buffalo Business First:

A direct mail program targeted for sign manufacturers throughout the United States and a documentary on the efforts of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. were named the year’s best by the Buffalo/Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Curbell Plastics’ Tracy Schiedel, Jessica Mitrovits, Sara Calarco and Rachel Gottlieb, along with Barbara Irwin of Canisius College Video Institute received platinum “Best of Show” and gold Excalibur awards for their work on the campaigns. The Curbell Plastics program resulted in exceeding goals for increased awareness of Curbell’s products for the sign-building market by using direct mail and a Web-based survey. Irwin’s documentary featured commentary by officials, preservationists, urban planners, former railroad employees and architects who discussed the Central Terminal’s architectural and social significance, and the activities undertaken by Restoration Corp. to preserve and restore it.

Congratulations and many thanks to Barb Irwin, Kirsten Jahn and Scott Richardson for doing such a fine job in promoting our cause!

From Buffalo Rising:

Senator Hilary Clinton is urging the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to give “full consideration” to the Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood regarding their application to become a Preserve America community.

From the release: “The Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood has played a pivotal role in the history and culture of the City of Buffalo,” said Senator Clinton. “Since the 1880s the neighborhood has helped to define Buffalo’s national identity and cultural heritage, and it is home to renowned and historic architecture. Naming the Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood as a Preserve America community would help preserve a piece of Buffalo’s culture and tradition for future generations of Americans.”

In a letter to Ronald Anzalone Director of the Office of Preservation Initiative, Preserve America Communities and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Clinton pointed out the rich Polish-American heritage of the Broadway Fillmore community on Buffalo’s East Side. In particular, Clinton stressed the important part this neighborhood played in the development of Buffalo as a manufacturing and industrial giant, followed by the eventual economic decline that has left large parts of the community suffering today.

The letter further states: As a designated Preserve America community, the Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood and the City of Buffalo will be able to preserve the rich culture, architectural history, and diversity of this area.

Broadway Fillmore Alive’s (BFA) co-founder Christopher Byrd is happy about Clinton’s efforts, saying, “This is something we’ve known all along, and the history of this neighborhood speaks for itself.”

In explaining what this designation would mean to the area, Byrd said it would open the door to standards that would prevent tearing down certain buildings that he called “symbols of the past”. He added, “The Eastern European architecture is evident in this neighborhood with a walk down Broadway. The buildings, even through their decline, tell a story of Buffalo’s past.”

Another BFA co-founder, Michael Miller, said, “I am thrilled that Senator Clinton is backing this initiative. I submitted my letter of support for this just last week, on behalf of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. I am glad to see that the Broadway Fillmore District is getting the attention it so rightfully deserves, after such a long period of being overlooked. This could go a long way in helping to save some of our most treasured and endangered buildings such as the terminal and countless others in the district.”

Byrd stated, “This designation will go a long way toward preserving what really should be preserved.”

from today’s Buffalo Rising:

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.”