FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2012                                                                        

 CENTRAL TERMINAL 2012 HISTORY & ARCHITECTURAL TOUR SCHEDULE

 Explore One of America’s Greatest Art Deco Buildings During Season of Guided Tours

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is pleased to announce the 2012 schedule for guided history and architectural tours of the landmark Buffalo Central Terminal. Beginning Sunday, May 20^th and continuing until Sunday, October 7^th, the public will have ten opportunities to experience the grandeur of this unique historic site.

2012 public guided tour dates are: May 20^th , June 10^th, June 24^th ,July 8^th, July 22^nd, August 5^th, August 19^th , September 2^nd, September 16^th and October 7^th (Tower Tour Day Only).

When opened in 1929, Buffalo Central Terminal was one of the largest and most modern railroad terminals in the world. Known for its grand art deco architecture, towering office building and cavernous internal spaces, the last passenger train to depart the structure was in 1979. During the guided tours, visitors will access areas of the building not open during special events, gain insight into the Terminal’s colorful past and learn about ongoing plans for the restoration and development of the complex.

Tours depart from the Terminal Store located in the building’s entrance lobby, 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, New York.  Unless noted, all tours begin promptly at 11a and last two hours. Cost is $10 per person. Advanced reservations for tours are recommended by emailing questions@BuffaloCentralTerminal.org. Groups of 15 or more are asked to schedule their visit in advance. All tour dates and times are subject to change. Please dress accordingly as tours take place both inside and outside the building, rain or shine. For updated information or questions call 716-810-3210.

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations. Visitwww.BuffaloCentralTerminal.org for more information.

“Tower Tour Day” at Terminal Canceled Due to Nesting Peregrine Falcons

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) has canceled the first of two scheduled “Tower Tour Days” that was to take place on Sunday, May 6th. The action is in response to a Department of Environmental Conservation inspection of the nesting box of the Terminal’s pair of “resident” peregrine falcons. During special “Tower Tour Days,” docents provide the public a rare look inside the Terminal’s office tower that includes viewing opportunities on the building’s 13th floor.

A nest box, constructed and installed by the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation in 2009, is currently home to two adult peregrines. Inspection confirmed that 2012 is the third consecutive year that eggs have been found in the nest. Due to the fierce territorial nature of the falcons, it was decided that the spring tower tour would be canceled to lessen the risk of stress experienced by the parents.

A second “Tower Tour Day” scheduled for later this year will take place on Sunday, October 7 2012. A complete listing of architectural and history tours may be found on the CTRC’s website, www.BuffaloCentralTerminal.org. Tours are an important part of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation’s mission to educate and excite the community about the ongoing restoration of the landmark.

Full refunds will be given to customers who made advanced reservations for Sunday’s tour. People are asked to call the Terminal at 716-810-3210 for processing. No other tours of the building are schedule for May 6th.

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations. (www.BuffaloCentralTerminal.org).

We hope everyone had a great time and look forward to seeing you again next year! Here are some photos from the event, care of our volunteer photographer Ca’Mareo Waller:

“Carol brings a wealth of talent to the Central Terminal Restoration Board of Directors,” said Board Chairman and President Mark Lewandowski.  “Her proven fundraising abilities are a critical addition to our organization.  We welcome her in her new role.”

Polka Meltdown at Central Terminal On Dyngus Day

Those Idiots to Stage the World’s First Polka Rock Concert During 2012 Festival 

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The world’s first ever “polka rock concert” will highlight the 6th annual Dyngus Day Party at Buffalo Central Terminal. On Monday, April 9th, more than 10,000 people will participate in the post-Lenten party at the Terminal. The party at Buffalo Terminal is the largest Dyngus Day Buffalo festival location.

The “polka rock” show will be performed by Dyngus Day favorites Those Idiots. The band will perform two sets of traditional polkas at 6:30p and 7:30p. At 8:30pm, the third and final set will be a two-hour Dyngus extravaganza called “The Polka Meltdown.” Central Terminal will be the only location to catch Those Idiots on Dyngus Day 2012.

“We are taking our unique style of rock-n-roll Polka to new heights,” said Those Idiots Band Leader Myron Deputat. “No expense has been spared. There will be a 16′ wide video screen above the stage to let more people participate in our crazy antics. The show will include a full light display, complete with lasers and foggers. I guarantee this will be the largest and greatest Those Idiots Dyngus Day performance in history.”

Doors open at 3pm on Monday, April 9th with music by Hocus Polka beginning at 4:30p. Authentic Polish food, Tyskie Polish beer and Sobieski Polish vodka will be served. Admission cost is $10 for Pussy Willow Pass which will provide access to Central Terminal and discounted admissions to other Official Dyngus Day Buffalo venues. The Terminal is located at the end of the Dyngus Day Buffalo Parade and is a stop on the Sobieski Vodka Shuttle route.

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011, the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations.

Buy your tickets from us in person! Representatives from the CTRC will be selling tickets at Central Terminal on 3/17, 3/24, 3,31, 4/7 from 10am-2pm. We will also be selling at the Broadway Market on 3/23 (Dyngus Day Kickoff @ 1pm), 3/24, 3/25, 3/31, 4/1, 4/6, & 4/7 during regular Market hours. We’ll have the presale Pussy Willow pass and newly designed Dyngus Day t-shirts, and as always we accept cash, check and credit card.

Can’t make it out to the Terminal or Market? No problem, you can still buy your tickets online.
Pussy Willow Pass $10: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/234061
Party Pack (ticket, t-shirt, yard mug) $23: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/234074

All tickets sold by the CTRC are the “Pussy Willow Pass” allowing you entrance to venues all over Buffalo! For more information visit http://www.dyngusdaybuffalo.com/

Buffalo Central Terminal Schedule of 2012 Tours, Events & Festivals

BUFFALO, N.Y. –  An expanded Dyngus Day festival, Buffalo’s largest Oktoberfest celebration and an aggressive schedule of public history and architectural tours are among the highlights of the 2012 Calendar of Events released by the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. Over the years, many of these events have become some of Western New York’s most successful outings with proceeds benefiting the stabilization and restoration of the Terminal.

Highlights include:

Monday, April 9^th, 3p-11p – Dyngus Day: The Dyngus Day Capital of the World’s biggest party. Polka supergroup Those Idiots will take over the Terminal for the entire night as they play three shows that includes a special “rock polka” concert for the finale. Authentic Polish food, spirits & beer available. Located at the end of the Dyngus Day Buffalo Parade and on the Sobieski Vodka Shuttle route. Doors open at 3pm. Cost is $10/or $2 with a Pussy Willow Pass.

Saturday, May 12^th, 9a-Noon – Annual Volunteer Day (Clean-Up):  15th anniversary of the grassroots efforts to beautify the Terminal. Over the years this community volunteer day has positively transformed the Terminal’s concourse and grounds. Come ready to work with gloves, work attire and tools as we prepare for 2012 season of tours and events.

Friday, May 25th, Saturday, May 26th & Sunday May, 27th – ParaHorror Con: One of the northeast’s largest paranormal conventions comes to Buffalo Central Terminal. Meet and discuss all things ghosts with fellow enthusiasts and national experts. Event will feature lectures, workshops and a number of celebrities including Tyler Mane & Lloyd Kaufman from Troma Films, Leah Gibson from Twilight & Eclipse and James Winburn from the original Halloween. Weekend will include a VIP investigation of Buffalo Central Terminal and an evening of “candlelight” tours of the Terminal complex. Visit parahorror.com. for details.

Saturday, June 16^th, – Deco Fest: A celebration of the “swing & style” of the Central Terminal. Headline act to be announced later this spring. Learn more at Deco-Fest.com.

Saturday, September 8^th & Sunday, September 9^th, 10a-4p – Toy Train and Railroadiana Expo: One of the area’s largest assemblages of toy and model train vendors from the Northeast selling trains of all gauges and vintages.  Purveyors of railroad antiques, DVDs, books, photographs and other associated ephemera known as “railroadiana” will also be on hand. Historians will be available to tell stories of Buffalo’s past important position as the second largest railroad hub in North America. Admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 free.

Saturday, September 29^th, 3:30p-11p –The Buffalo Oktoberfest: Get ready to raise your beer and toast, “Prost” during Western New York’s largest event of its kind. Eat, drink, dance German heritage in the spirit of gemutlichkeit! Central Terminal is transformed into a giant Bavarian beer hall with authentic German beer & food and continuous German music provided by Buffalo’s Auslanders and the 25-piece, German American Musicians Blaskapelle. Learn more at BuffaloOktoberfest.com

An expanded schedule of tours will educate the public about the Terminal’s history, architecture and future. Back by popular demand, two scheduled “Tower Tours ” will give the public a rare opportunity to climb to the Terminal’s 13th floor for a spectacular view of the Buffalo skyline. Trained docents will take groups of fifteen to the 13th floor every 30 minutes for an unprecedented photo opportunity. “Photographer Tours” will give amateur & professional shutter bugs the opportunity to capture unfettered views of the Terminal in small, controlled groups.

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations. Visit www.BuffaloCentralTerminal.org for more information

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2012 Buffalo Central Terminal full events schedule: (All event details are subject to change without notice. Updated information will be available at BuffaloCentralTerminal.org).

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations. Visit www.BuffaloCentralTerminal.org for more information

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On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp., we wish all our volunteers, patrons, and supporters a safe and Merry Christmas, and very happy holiday season.  Our accomplishments this past year have furthered our goal of reuse and rehabilitation of this great building.  More importantly, we have introduced people and organizations from across the country and around the world to our project.

Thank you for all your help and support this year and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2012!

Mark A. Lewandowski

From WGRZ Channel 2 News:

Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Buffalo’s Central Terminal has received the most votes on the Buffalo Challenge Facebook page, and will be awarded a $10,000 preservation grant. The Buffalo Challenge gave fans of the Queen City near and far the opportunity to rally around historic places in Buffalo through a week long, online voting competition that saw hundreds of people visit the Facebook page to make their voices heard. Four sites—Central Terminal, the Colored Musicians Club, Graycliff, and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site—competed for the grant funding via an online, public vote that began December 12th and ended Sunday, December 18th.

“The Buffalo Challenge is a great example of what the National Trust does best – work with our partners to find new ways to get the public involved in the protection and preservation of important places in our communities,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “All four of these historic Buffalo landmarks strengthen their community, and we were thrilled to see the way people in Buffalo rallied around their favorite places. Congratulations to Central Terminal for receiving the most votes and winning the grant funding.”

“All of us at the National Trust have warm memories of our time in Buffalo, and we are thrilled to be coming back so soon to give a gift to one of Buffalo’s unique historic sites, just in time for the holidays,” said Stephanie Meeks, National Trust for Historic Preservation president. “We were inspired by the many local residents who are passionate about preserving Buffalo’s outstanding historic places. ‘Buffalo Challenge’ will allow the Queen City to, once again, rally around preservation by voting for the most deserving historic place.”

To vote, you must have a Facebook account and accept the “Poll Daddy Application”. If you are new to Facebook, visit these resources for more information:

• Facebook Help Center
• Mashable’s Facebook Guide Book

If you’re unable to make it to the Broadway Market, you can shop online instead!  Be sure to place your order soon so it ships in time for Christmas.

Have you considered giving someone a Friends of the Central Terminal membership as a gift?  Don’t forget, $100 memberships receive a free, limited edition art print from WNY Book Arts Collaborative, while supplies last.

Thanks to residents with skill, dedication and vision, Buffalo, New York is getting a sophisticated demonstration of natural ecology on a site next to the city’s majestic but abandoned Central Terminal, now being restored.

As I have written before, Buffalo has struggled in recent decades but has a rich architectural legacy to build upon as it crafts its future. The art deco landmark Buffalo Central Terminal is certainly part of that legacy: built in 1929 to handle 3200 rail passengers per hour, the terminal with its 15-story office tower was closed in 1979. It fell into such major repair that it was repeatedly used as a site for episodes of the Ghost Hunters TV show.

It is now being restored under a master plan supervised by the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, whose website describes its potential:

Besides being an instantly recognizable element of the Buffalo skyline and a cultural landmark, the Terminal could once again serve as a gateway to the city by utilizing the opportunities presented by its location and the current system of networks which pass through or near the structure. Through reactivation of these dormant systems, the Terminal could provide transportation for suburbanites to the city, welcome both domestic and international tourists to the city, and connect the east coast to [the] Midwest without delays, all from its existing site and without severe infrastructure disturbance or interruption.

The same historic reasons for locating the Terminal in its present location are still as valid today as they were a century ago. The structure’s proximity ( 2.5 miles or less ) to downtown and Larkin business districts, while being adjacent to a historic walkable neighborhood (Polonia), presents the Terminal with the opportunity to be the cornerstone of a renaissance.

As described in an article posted last year on the excellent blog Buffalo Rising, the Buffalo Urban Habitat Project and Classroom is being installed on three acres of unused property at the front door of the Central Terminal. The project is intended as a “living inner-city demonstration classroom that features habitat restoration, native plants, and sustainable site development/construction” that will help restore the Central Terminal and unify the community.

The first phase of the project is being completed this month. There will be large groves of pine trees, hawthorns, native shrubs, and vast meadows of grasses and wildflowers that have been specifically designed and selected to meet specific site criteria. The site will demonstrate biodiversity, native regional habitats, soil remediation, several plant communities, ecosystems that benefit birds, bees, various beneficial insects and an array of resident mammals that currently exist near the site.

A major feature of the project is control of storm water through green infrastructure that is designed not only to handle on-site precipitation but also to attract and process runoff from nearby areas. Project leader Dave Majewski is quoted in an article posted on Buffalo Rising earlier this month:

We have taken the [low-impact development] component a major step forward in that, rather than simply mitigating negative impacts on the site, we are reversing that by making the site better because of what we have done.

“This is a Western New York first – we are impounding approximately 320,000 gallons of storm water runoff from Curtiss Street and redirecting it in to the site via two adjoining large bio-retention cells. This project will be an example to municipalities and developers as to how real Sustainable Sites and Low Impact Developments can feasibly be undertaken with ecologically sensitive integrated planning and design.

Planted and seeded areas were specially selected for particular functions and benefits – while also demonstrating the plant communities that occur naturally in the region. The project “is intended to help make the Central Terminal a destination rather than a quick photo op,” says the article, and to leverage nearby green development projects as well.

Planning has begun on a second phase that will encompass the remainder of the site and include an educational gazebo, fencing and additional signage.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2011                                                                        

Iconic Flagpole Returned to Exterior of Buffalo Central Terminal

Ceremony Marks End of Successful Event Season at Landmark Building

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Missing for more than thirty years, a 50 foot flagpole has returned to Buffalo Central Terminal as a tribute to the thousands of military veterans who traveled through the building during times of peace and war. On Thursday, November 10th at 10 am, members of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation and AMVETS Post 897 will raise the American flag on another iconic element to return to the Polonia District landmark. Central Terminal is located at 495 Paderewski Drive @ Memorial Drive.

From the beginning of World War II, to the return of troops from the Vietnam Conflict, thousands of servicemen and women passed through Buffalo Central Terminal during their military careers. The idea of returning the flagpole to Buffalo Central Terminal began in 2008 when Chuck Marsillo, past commander of AMVETS Post 897, participated in a tour of the Terminal lead by Central Terminal Restoration Corporation President Mark Lewandowski. Lewandowski, a twenty year military veteran currently serving with the 107^th Airlift Wing, worked with AMVETS representatives on the project that  culminated in the recent reinstallation of the flagpole in its original location. Marsillo brought in donations from AMVETS members and other military members to purchase the flagpole.

Towering 50 feet above the eastern side of the Terminal, the new flagpole replaces one that was taken down by scrap dealers in the 1980s. The flagpole joins a recently replaced buffalo statue as decorative elements of Buffalo Central Terminal are returned as part of ongoing restoration efforts.

“On behalf of the veterans and their families who have passed through the main concourse of the Central Terminal, on their way to a journey where in most cases their lives were changed forever, we are proud to acknowledge this remembrance of sacrifice,” said Lewandowski. “For thousands of people, Buffalo Central Terminal was their final time in Buffalo.”

Ace Flag of Depew provided the flagpole and donated services. Installation was donated by the Georgen Mackwirth Company who provided thousands of dollars in hours and material to install the flagpole. In 2012, a plaque will be affixed in the Terminal concourse to acknowledge those who donated resources to the project.

Thursday’s ceremony will mark the end of the most successful event season in the history of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation.  More than 30,000 people visited the Terminal partaking in events including Dyngus Day, the National Trust Preservation Conference, the Terminal’s annual toy train show and a series of historical & architectural tours.  Over the next six-months, the CTRC Board will continue to work on fundraising efforts to assist in further stabilization of the Terminal and look at development opportunities.

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations.

Photo courtesy Gene Witkowski

WNY Book Arts is a full service “old fashioned” print shop, using only vintage materials they’ve collected to create beautiful works of art.

For their Architecture series, each print is 11×17 and is printed in 3 or 4 colors using only materials from their collection. Occasionally the backs of printing blocks and other found materials are used to achieve textures and other unexpected results. The pieces are arranged in a press to illustrate a stylized version of each building with proper proportions and sympathetic colors. Each print is hand printed on a variety of paper in a limited edition, and is signed and numbered.

The Central Terminal is excited to join these other buildings in being immortalized in print by the WNY Book Art Center: Buffalo City Hall, Grain Elevators, Kleinhans Music Hall, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, Louis Sullivan’s Guaranty Building, and the Avant Building.

We have a EXTREMELY limited number of these prints to share with our Friends. Any new Friends of Central Terminal Membership, or membership renewal* at the $100 level or higher will receive one of these prints as a special “Thank You” gift. Prints will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis, so send in your membership now to ensure you don’t miss out! Believe me, the photo doesn’t do this amazing print justice, and every little detail hand set in an old fashioned printing press!

*All renewals will add one year of membership to the current expiration date.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2011

Public Welcomed To Buffalo Central Terminal For Free Open House

Tours of Iconic Terminal Tower to be Conducted for the First Time

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) will host a free opportunity for the public to learn about Buffalo’s next great preservation success story. An open house at the landmark art-deco building is scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd between Noon & 4pm located at 495 Paderewski Drive @ Memorial Drive.

“We welcome all Western New Yorkers and out-of-town guests who are participating in the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference,” said Central Terminal Restoration Corporation President Mark Lewandowski. “It’s our goal to continue to educate and excite the public about the progress being made at the Buffalo Central Terminal.”

The free open house will feature self-guided tours, meet and greet with executive leaders of the CTRC about the Terminal’s master plan and information about volunteer opportunities. The Terminal Store will be open for shopping and a selection of Buffalo’s gourmet food trucks will be on site offering unique delicacies.

In addition to the free open house, the CTRC will offer tours of the Terminal’s iconic tower. This will be the first time that the public will have the opportunity to climb to the Terminal’s 13th floor for a spectacular view of the Buffalo skyline. The “Tower Tour” cost is a $20 donation ($15 for Friends of CTRC members). Trained docents will take groups of ten to the 13th floor every 30 minutes beginning at Noon for this unprecedented photo opportunity. The last tour will leave at 3:30pm. Proper footwear and the ability to climb fifteen flights of stairs required (tower tour is limited to ages 16 and over).

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations.

Thanks to Buffalo Rising for putting together this great article…

The first phase of the Urban Habitat Project at the Buffalo Central Terminal is underway.  Much of the work is expected to be completed in two weeks, just in time for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference.  The Terminal will be hosting several field sessions during the four-day conference.

According to project lead Dave Majewski, the Urban Habitat Project has ecological, environmental and community significance.  The Urban Habitat Project is envisioned as a living ecological classroom and demonstration project on a 3-acre parcel of the CTRC property at the intersection of Memorial Drive, Curtiss and Peckham streets.  Techniques used on the site could be replicated elsewhere in the city and region.

It will demonstrate: biodiversity, native regional habitats, soil remediation, several plant communities, ecosytems that benefit birds, bees, various beneficial insects and an array of resident mammals that currently exist near the site.  There will be large groves of pine trees, hawthorns, native shrubs, and vast meadows of grasses and wildflowers that have been specifically designed and selected to meet specific site criteria.

A significant amount of time, effort and resources have gone in to making this 18 month old vision become a reality.  The 2.3-acre first phase has a $60,000 price tag and a number of public and private funders have helped make the project a reality.  Organizers have obtained a $15,000 contribution from the John R. Oishei Foundation, $10,000 from the Buffalo Green Fund, $10,000 from the Marks family, $5,000 from the Baird Foundation, $5,000 from the Vogt family, $5,000 from Dore Landscape, and $2,000 from Councilmember Franczyk.  Wendel Design contributed $3,500 in in-kind services.  The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is also underwriting a portion of the project.

The project will demonstrate Low Impact Development (LID) on a large scale; along with the concept of Sustainable Sites Development.

Storm water runoff is controlled on site, and minimal trucking and equipment use is being employed, thus mitigating fuel consumption and disruption to the local community.  All soil and existing material on site is being reused; the exception of several tons of limestone boulders uncovered during site preparation.  The boulders are being sold for use on a Buffalo River habitat project and the proceeds are going towards additional work on the site.

“We have taken the LID component a major step forward in that, rather than simply mitigating negative impacts on the site, we are reversing that by making the site better because of what we have done,” says Majewski.

“This is a Western New York first- we are impounding approximately 320,000 gallons of storm water runoff from Curtiss Streed and redirecting it in to the site via two adjoining large bio-retention cells,” he says.  “This project will be an example to municipalities and developers as to how real Sustainable Sites and Low Impact Developments can feasibly be undertaken with ecologically sensitive integrated planning and design.”

“Too keep the LID and RED components intact on the site, we needed to manipulate the topography throughout the entire parcel to accommodate all the fill and soils,” explains Majewski.  “While doing so, we were able to create sloped areas that will generate significant amounts of site storm water runoff.  At the same time, the seeded swales and bio retention cells will also impound, and benefit from, the large amounts of new runoff generated from this topography modification.”

This can be done on any scale and it demonstrates to developers, architects and engineers that it is possible to intelligently develop while regenerating small portions of our lost habitats and managing storm water runoff and its negative effects on our local waterways – one of our most serious environmental problems today.

Planted and seeded areas were specially selected for particular functions and benefits – while also demonstrating the plant communities that occur naturally in our region. We have lost large tracts of native habitats for generations now and these areas within the UHP also demonstrate how those communities existed and flourished in the past. With the available urban greenspaces that abound in our city, we are showing that we can make at least a small effort to helping restore valuable and critical habitats.

Planting starts this Saturday.  Plants include:
Juniper
Pine
Hawthron
Lowbush blueberry
Viburnum
Willow
Gray Dogwood
Sumac
chokecherry
serviceberry
witch hazel
fragrant raspberry
pussy willow
arborvitae
elderberry

Large meadows and wetland retention areas to include:
Switchgrasses
Indian grass
Buffalo grass
Rye grasses
several wildflowers
sedge grasses
legumes
The variety of native grasses are significant in that they develop deep fibrous roots systems that aerate the soil and aid in the absorption of accumulated runoff. These grasses are important in restoring long neglected soils. Moreover, they are a key winter food for birds and other wildlife as well as providing nesting sites and nesting materials for birds.

The project is also a living classroom to educate residents on the importance of natural habitats, ecology, and the environment.

It is intended to help make the Central Terminal a destination rather than a quick photo op.  It will leverage other existing and planned green development projects in the Broadway-Fillmore community as well.

A site management plan has been developed and the sustainability of the project has been coordinated and planned.  Volunteer groups have agreed to help with the construction and maintain the site.

Boy Scouts Troop 250 from Clarence, Biology students from Daemen College, Youth Construction Initiative from East High School, neighborhood residents and other groups are participating.  The Boy Scouts are making bat houses, mason bee posts and bird houses.

Planning is starting on a second phase that will encompass the remaining .7 acres of the site and will include an educational gazebo, fencing and additional signage.

“We are constructing the UHP as that: LID and RED are requirements and not simply Green sounding options,” says Majewski.  “Integrated design and planning; i.e. horticulture, ecology, environment, community, sustainability, and economics all are key aspects when considering the finished product and goals.”

Admission is $5 for adults with free admission for children under the age of 12. All proceeds from the show benefit the stabilization and restoration of Buffalo Central Terminal.

The show features a large assemblage of toy and model train vendors from the Northeast selling trains of all gauges and vintages. A number of purveyors of railroad antiques, DVDs, books, photographs and other associated ephemera known as railroadiana will also be on hand.

This is more than just a train show, says Central Terminal Restoration Corporation President Mark Lewandowski. Its one of Buffalo’s largest celebrations of trains and railroading history. Visitors to the Terminal can expect to see everything from highly detailed scale models to family heirloom Christmas trains and archival photos of area railroads. Historians will be on-hand to tell stories of Buffalo’s once important position as the second largest railroad hub in North America.

Both adults and children alike will enjoy operating train layouts, historical displays about Buffalo’s railroad history and the do-it-yourself Craftsmans Corner.

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was founded in 1997 to oversee the stabilization and restoration of the New York Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. The Terminal complex includes an 18-acre site that hosts an art deco office tower, passenger concourse and four-story baggage building. In 2011 the CTRC released its master plan that outlined various infrastructure needs and development opportunities. The mission of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is to ensure that the original grandeur of the Terminal is available to current and future generations.