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It was back in 1994 and I was a new reporter here at Channel 2. My assignment was to interview Fillmore District Councilman David Franczyk about the East Side’s iconic Central Terminal. My photographer and I met him there and did a walk-through.
The building was sitting wide open and it had already been stripped of its precious Art
Deco fixtures by its former owner. The Councilman was lamenting how the terminal was abandoned, neglected and falling into greater disrepair with every passing day.
He was trying to convince city lawmakers to pony up the money to at least secure the building by boarding up the doors and making an attempt to keep out vandals and intruding weather. His pleas went unanswered.
During my next visit just four short years later, I was shocked to see how the terminal had gone from bad to worse. Scavengers had done more damage pulling marble tile off the walls and prying copper flashing from the overhangs; anything and everything that could be stripped and sold for scrap was gone. To add insult to injury, spray paint “artists” left their mark on the grand lady, too.
It made me want to cry.
Fast forward 15 years later, April 18, 2013, and I am standing in the middle of the main concourse of the Central Terminal again. Today Scott Levin and I are meeting with our prodigiously talented Channel Two Creative Team to shoot some video tape for an upcoming TV spot. We were greeted by Marilyn Rodgers who is the current Executive Director of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. She leads a dedicated, forward-thinking and creative brain trust of Buffalo-loving preservationists.
They’ve already done yeoman’s work tending to the Central Terminal’s most immediate repair needs and are slowing reclaiming the landmark’s dignity. They’ve restored the outside tower clock, researched the whereabouts of the iconic concourse clock and returned it to its rightful home (plus fundraising the dollars to meet the hefty price tag) and procured a replica Buffalo to stand proudly in place of the original. * Among numerous other repair and restoration projects, work is also underway at this writing to replace the stadium-sized roof with solar capabilities-an expensive project that is being realized by donated labor and discounted supplies.
But just as important as restoring the physical structure, the CTRC is also crafting a vision for its rebirth. It’s a tall order; without question the tallest order of any preservation project this side of the Rockies. And ironically, that’s where this group is drawing their inspiration. They’ve developed an adaptive Reuse Plan based on a model in Colorado that provided an 11:1 economic development return for the community.
Plans are to turn the Central Terminal into a Center for Restoration Arts and Sciences. Several organizations and individuals have already expressed a desire to serve as partner-developers and anchor tenants utilizing a public/private development concept. Work is well underway on a plan and they’re expecting to share it with the community before the summer’s end.
The great lady seems to be in good hands. Take a look around the concourse and you can see it. You can feel it: the “never say die” attitude that is pure Buffalo, mixed with the limitless creativity of an arts community that sees opportunity where others see pitted concrete and rusted steel. And I thank God for that.
This is home.
Post Script: In a note to our ED, Ms Demler stated that WGRZ will be working on a news package next week with a reporter and their news producer.
Model in Colorado provided 11:1 Economic Development ReturnBuffalo, April 18, 2013: The Central Terminal Restoration Corp (CTRC) has taken great strides in their adaptive reuse plans for the Buffalo Central Terminal. Although much work needs to be done to stabilize and prepare the complex for tenancy and other use, various groups have toured the complex and have expressed interest in becoming anchor tenants or partner developers for the Center for Restoration Arts & Sciences utilizing a Public/Private Development concept.
Following a model of success in Colorado, the Center for Restoration Arts & Sciences will include partnering with private developers, local foundations, Government, Education, the Arts and neighborhood nonprofits to also lift the surrounding Broadway Fillmore District to reinvestment and prominence as one of Buffalo’s next great neighborhoods. CTRC Real Estate Development Committee members are planning a site visit to Colorado model to obtain additional systems and operations methods.
“In Colorado, every dollar the State invested brought an economic return of $11.00.” The model is also acutely similar to the same geo- and demographics as the surrounding neighborhood of the Terminal. It focused on workforce and economic development as well as neighborhood reinvestment and was able to provide a platform of success for their direct region and the State of Colorado.” said Executive Director/CEO Marilyn Rodgers.
“Interest in this adaptive reuse project is escalating from nonprofits to new businesses,” stated Paul Lang, CTRC VP and Real Estate Development (RED) Committee Chair. “We have also met with local developers who have a vested interest in our city’s economic growth with the vision of our project becoming both a regional and New York State asset,” he continued.
Remedial measures and repairs, replacements and new technologies are part of the plan for the Center. With roof replacement work now underway and a 50K watt Solar PV system to be installed this summer, the Terminal is now also experiencing great in-kind development and services with local businesses and trade unions. Mark Lewandowski, President of the corporation stated “The new roof membrane is Energy Star compliant and also provides additional reflective qualities that will complement our new Solar PV system provided as an in-kind donation from Solar Liberty for increased energy storage.”
Other projects slated for this summer include restoration of the Gustavino Tile in the Main Concourse; Brownfields remediation plan and general utilities and improvements. The CTRC is looking forward to additional historic restoration and remediation of all masonry and windows along with new systems for HVAC utilizing Green Technologies. Local businesses are always welcome to be part of this stunning project on a partner or in-kind basis. RFPs will be transmitted as each project jumps from the drawing board to reality.
Additional human capital has been added to the CTRC Board with Fred LoFaso of Sienna Realty leading the Brownfields plan and working with related government entities and Paul Maurer of ReTree WNY fame heading Public Relations and Marketing. The CTRC is also working closely with UB Law School students regarding surrounding property remedies, headed by CTRC Board Secretary Michael Nisengard, Esq. Jeff Ingersoll, CTRC RED Committee member, is reviewing possible vendors for historically compliant materials.
Legal and Development Board Members are now working on structure and documents for tenancy and development while additional partnerships are being formed with local institutions of education and the Arts. Interest Surveys will be made available for prospective tenants to assure needs and desires of all parties are taken into careful consideration.
The Buffalo Central Terminal is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, NYS Preservation League’s “Seven to Save,” and holds local preservation designation in the City of Buffalo.
It is the CTRC’s hope that, with the reuse of the Terminal, rail traffic will also be forthcoming whether starting with interest in the possible reuse of Buffalo’s legendary Belt Line; local light rail expansion and the future of the Terminal’s reuse as a connector hub for possible high speed rail.
The final plan will be presented as a formal announcement to the general public this summer during a Public Meeting that will include development, tenant and neighborhood partners; City, State and Federal Government representatives; Media and the general public.
For more information or to obtain an Interest Survey contact Marilyn Rodgers, Executive Director/CEO by phone at 716-440-1106 or by email at mrodgers@buffalocentralterminal.org.
John Nilsen and Jim Caskie of WGRZ-TV (Gannett) have been featuring the Buffalo Central Terminal in just about every promotional shot for their News Department. They were at the Terminal again today and gifted us with this beautiful wide-angle floor shot.
A great promotional video can be seen here with the Terminal featured 12 times throughout. Thanks to WGRZ – they’re truly on our side.
Members of the CTRC will be on-hand along with ReTree WNY‘s at Buffalo Enviro Fair Friday, April 26th (Arbor Day) from 11 am – 2 pm at Niagara Square – right outside from City Hall in Downtown Buffalo, NY.
We’ll have our Towne MINI raffle tickets as well as Adopt-A-Tile Certificates and Prints so folks that wish to contribute to our Green Roof can assist!
For more information, contact mrodgers@buffalocentralterminal.org
The Terminal’s Annual Spring Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, May 25th between 10 am and 2 pm. Our goal is to give as much “curb-appeal” to our exterior as possible with plantings, litter removal and general exterior maintenance.
To join in, just go to our Volunteer Matters site and register, if you haven’t already done so. If you are registered, contact our Director of Volunteer Work Groups, Brian Dadswell. We can’t wait to see you and work together!
Towne MINI has graciously offered a 2-year lease and all taxes and fees paid or $5,000 in cash to the lucky winner of their Cooper Caper Raffle. This raffle will raise additional funds necessary to complete Phases II and III of the Terminal’s roof replacement project. Tickets are now available at Towne MINI on Main Street in Clarence or at the Buffalo Central Terminal Gift Shop during select hours.
The drawing will be held on September 28th at 10:00 pm during the Terminal’s OKTOBERFEST!
If you’d like to offer your business as a raffle partner to expand our reach for ticket sales, please contact our Executive Director at mrodgers@buffalocentralterminal.org.
Contact: M Rodgers
Telephone: 716-440-1106
Email: mrodgers@buffalocentralterminal.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 28, 2012
Event Date: Monday, 12/31/12 – 11:00 am
Location: Buffalo Central Terminal – 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, NY 14212
Buffalo, New York, December 28, 2012 – After posting about an original light sconce found at an antique dealer in Toronto from the Buffalo Central Terminal on Facebook, Christopher Byrd of Broadway-Fillmore Alive!, Greg Witul, Karen Siuda McCann (an ex-pat living in Austin, TX) and Tony Fracasso of SpeakUp WNY got busy and created a ChipIn site to pull in donations from $5 – $500 to acquire the light.
Originally priced at $9,000, the antique dealer, Robert Navarro, reduced the price to $3,000 if it were returned to the Central Terminal Restoration Corp (CTRC). In the spirit of WNY community, it only took two weeks to collect $3,696 in donations from 105 people from Buffalo to Alden to North Carolina, Virginia and California. The community-based effort came about since the CTRC could not afford the purchase of the light since it needed to acquire funds for a complete roof replacement. That’s when the spirit of Western New Yorkers, along with ex-pats and re-pats took over the acquisition.
Mr. Navarro was very impressed with the results and time. So much so that he has now designated the community to take the funds raised ($3,000) and donate them back to the Buffalo Central Terminal’s roof replacement campaign. The balance of the funds raised were also donated back to the CTRC’s Adopt-A-Tile campaign in the name of the community and a special Veterans Memorial Tile in the name of Lt Colonel Matt Louis Urban, the United States Army’s most combat decorated soldier of World War II and namesake of the Matt Urban Center in the Broadway Fillmore District.
On Monday, December 31, 2012 at 11:00 am, Broadway Fillmore Alive, along with many of the donors who contributed to the fund, will host a press conference at the Buffalo Central Terminal as the light passes from the community to the CTRC. The event not only provides media to witness this pass-off of history, but becomes a tremendous way to end one year while looking forward to further steady progress of the rehabilitation of the Historic Buffalo Central Terminal in 2013.
“On behalf of the Buffalo Central Terminal and the Central Terminal Restoration Corp, I thank all in the community – near and far – for this effort. We have a great deal of work to do on the structure but it’s having a group of dedicated folks like you, with the everlasting passion for the Buffalo Central Terminal, who have worked so hard to bring this treasure back home that makes it all worthwhile!” – Marilyn Rodgers, Executive Director/CEO of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp.
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.
If you would like more information about this topic,
please contact M Rodgers at 716-440-1106 or email at mrodgers@buffalocentralterminal.org.
From our friend Chris Byrd at Broadway-Fillmore Alive:
While making arrangements to pay for and pick up the light from Navarro Gallery in Toronto, Roberto Navarro dropped a nice Christmas surprise on me. He is going to donate the fixture back to the Central Terminal under the condition that we give the $3000 raised to the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation’s (CTRC) Adopt a Tile campaign. As you can imagine, my heart dropped and I can’t even describe how I felt when I heard…simply incredible news for this effort and for the Central Terminal.
The light is going to be picked up on Thursday and brought back to Buffalo.
On Saturday, the light will be on display for the public to see at the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle’s End of the World Christmas Party from 8pm to 11pm. (Admission is $5.00 for non members or free for people wearing christmas sweaters and anyone that brings food or snacks.) The idea is to give people an opportunity to see the light before it is formally turned over to the CTRC next week.
Once again, thank you to all those who gave towards the effort. It was truly a special Buffalo moment where the community came together to give back and support the efforts of the CTRC in keeping one of Broadway-Fillmore’s treasure’s ALIVE!
Thank you Roberto Navarro for making the effort even more incredible!
In 1929 well over 13,000 concrete roof tiles measuring 2’ x 4’ and weighing 75 -80 pounds were mounted on the vaulted roof sections of the Buffalo Central Terminal. Since then they have consistently been exposed to high winds, rain, snow, freeze, thaw and more. Of course, anything – concrete or human – gets worn out after 83 years, and the wear and tear on these architectural elements has certainly taken a toll while also compromising the roof deck below. Some tiles are worn down to the mesh while others are cracked and broken. And, all the decay is now leading to interior damage to our beloved Concourse and its vaulted ceiling made of Gustavino tiles.
We need to act quickly to raise necessary funds for a $769,000 roof replacement in three phases. Our first phase targets the areas most in need of a new roof that also compromises the interior architectural elements. Our second phase will address roof areas that can make it until the Summer 2013, and the third phase will address all other flat roof areas left.
So, here’s your chance to assist us in preserving not only an architectural gem, but also start us on the path of the largest adaptive reuse project in all of Upstate New York. Adopt-A-Tile today, whether for yourself, as a gift, as a memorial to a Veteran, or even in a bulk package citing your business and you’ll receive:
- The name or name of your company added to a special Adoption Board that will be mounted in the Concourse area for all to see.
- Plus, your adoption fee is 98% tax deductible!
