Buffalo Central Terminal

Here’s a story I wrote for Buffalo Rising:

When passenger rail service declined throughout the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s, the majority of America’s magnificent old train stations were rendered obsolete. In Buffalo, we know the dire consequences of this decline as experienced at our own magnificent Art Deco masterpiece, the Central Terminal. Cavernous train stations are a difficult fit for many adaptive reuses and due to the quality of the original materials and levels of decay experienced by many of these great stations, restoration can prove to be very costly.

Entering the picture last year with an intriguing solution is my friend, colleague and CTRC team member, Nick Kraus, who wrote his master thesis on the use of federal transportation funding sources such as SAFETEA-LU, which was the subject of a public meeting held Monday at Medaille College, as facilitated by Congressman Brian Higgins. In Nick’s thesis, he explains how Worcester, Massachusetts successfully used a combination of federal transportation funding sources (preceding SAFETEA-LU) to finance approximately 80% of the 2000 rehabilitation of their beautiful Beaux Arts Union Station from a decaying shell to an intermodal transportation facility.

You can read the whole story here.

The Cafe Deco group must have bought a whole group of our lamps at one time. Besides the one 7 footer and 3 smaller lamps in Hong Kong, here are another 4 7 footers and 2 small lamps in their new Cafe Deco venture in Macau:

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!

Please come out and support the wonderful ladies of the Buffalo Federation of Women’s Clubs tomorrow for Bloomin’ Wine & Desserts from 11am to 4pm tomorrow.

In addition to the Wine and Dessert Tastings, the event will have 25 vendors with everything from jewelry and flowers to handmade beads. There will also be a farmers market outside in the driveway and a Chinese Auction inside.

The event is being held to support the upkeep of the Breast Cancer Awareness Garden in front of the terminal. The garden was planted in 2004, an idea of the Club’s Beautification Chairwoman Pat Klebes.

“We started it from nothing, with our own money and we can’t afford to keep it going,” said Carole McDade, member of the Buffalo Federation of Women’s Clubs. “We are out there every week weeding. The neighbors are wonderful too, they love having us in the neighborhood,” said McDade.

The cause for this event hits close to home for most of these women. “Most of us are breast cancer survivors,” said McDade.

The event is being held from noon until 4PM. Tickets are $15 at Chateau Buffalo on Hertel Avenue, or at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/37169.