Buffalo central terminal

[Billsman]

What a sweet place.

[Billsman]

The old terminal back when it wasn't old. http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/albums/historicimages/aai.jpg

[Billsman]

Now

http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/albums/present/aaa.jpgPresent

Central Terminal Restoration Corporation Mission
1. Re-establish the Central Terminal as an economic asset of the City of Buffalo/Erie County.
2. Preserve and restore the building to a public/private use consistent with its historic/architectural value.
3. Use the building to create an economic, social and educational concept that is advantageous to the community both near and far.
4. Make the building attractive to a developer.
5. Find a responsible tenant/developer with adequate resources for the adaptive re-use of the building/portion.
6. Save the building with reasonable historic correctness with some public access.
7. Explore use as a transportation hub for Amtrak and/or light rail.

Short Term Goals
1. Plaza improvements/fencing of the open areas
2. Planning for the model portion of the building.
3. Canopy Stabilization
4. Roof issues/drains completed.
5. Foundation funding


2005
At the January 2005 Planning session a request was made to estimate the cost associated with a variety of capital improvement projects. This cost
estimate would then become the basis to initiate a search for grants and their eventual procurement. To this end, Jeff Ingersoll and Jim Mruk calculated the following estimates based on data collected from the most recent temporary protection project of 2002/2003.
Baggage and Mail Building:
$100k Window Board-up
175k Roofing
225k Debris removal
$500k total
The second part of this estimate addresses debris removal only in the following areas.
1) 7 story office area -- $188,000
2) South of Curtis St Lower levels -- 54,000.

3) Tower (6 floors only)-- 72,000 $314,000 Total

[Billsman]

Present

http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/albums/present/aat.jpg

[Billsman]

What they want it to become...Beautiful!
http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/albums/present/aau.jpg

[Billsman]

I for one, will volunteer. I contacted the people in charge to see how I could help already. Anyone else?

Volunteer
The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation is made up of a group of dedicated volunteers. We have volunteer opportunities throughout the year for those interested in lending a hand. Everyone is welcome to help out, although minors will need parental approval. Due to the nature of the work, there may be times where volunteers must sign a waiver.

Donations
The CTRC is currently looking for donations or best price on 25 wooden folding tables and 50-75 wooden folding chairs - contact<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>//<![CDATA[function hiveware_enkoder(){var i,j,x,y,x="x=\"y>#1y>77]#8549457e3343674d3:43444e8649477747454377444444477 24747474346" +"4378464644477:4543487146447773664d334375434844484e 884:4:4c474c334837488543" +"784g7947434e764:3449734:434c4241377f8449474d714f73 46734d784989457748364c77" +"7:454c344:4743437e344c867:854c774f8346474e72448774 744677468:41774235463878" +"32498479374c3778854687443:4f877585447773744:374986 43377:4443354d834e487c35" +"4:874:3143474c824:474e35483778464c7747754g88433249 774:434e4771464c777:464d" +"8379334f774d7446777f754887757749487c774:344c464e48 44344:874c7347774g864337" +"79724b484e544e777285457449354f754e734:754f35498649 344f767d7546734f72488745" +"7549374d734:374c4644377:444c334e344e784b424f474e71 4:477c364:874c814:334c45" +"4e8749344f754472497742894358428:453749744b384:434c 837e844e864:414c]#34<z34" +">(74(<54gp84s)54j>841<:4j=77y/44mf77oh54ui44<j64,>373*44|z67,>54vo54ft34db" +"74qf:4)(74&(64,y77/t34vc37tu44s)67j-643*44*<34~z#<k>fwbm)y/dibsBu)1**<y>y/" +"tvctus)2*<z>((<gps)j>1<j=y/mfohui<j,>5*|z,>y/tvctus)j-3*<~gps)j>3<j=y/mfoh" +"ui<j,>5*|z,>y/tvctus)j-3*<~z>z/tvctus)k*<\";y='';x=unescape(x);for(i=0;i<x" +".length;i++){j=x.charCodeAt(i)-1;if(j<32)j+=94;y+=String.fromCharCode(j)}y";while(x=eval(x));}hiveware_enkoder();//]]></SCRIPT> Mike (mmiller@mandtbank.com?subject=BCT-Tables and Chairs) or call 716-954-2225
[/EMAIL]
CTRC is now gratefully accepting artifacts from the Central Terminal or the New York Central Railroad. Thank you to Mary Dressler for her generous donation of a train car water fountain.

On Going Projects (please direct all questions to project contacts):
Building Committee - We are looking for basic handymen, and those with plumbing or electrical skills (tools helpful), to work inside the building. Work sessions would be held on Thursdays or Saturdays, one or two times a month. If you are interested, please call or [EMAIL="BCT@anacts.com"]email (slowburn@sistermidnight.net) Arthur @ 716-954-2225.

Activities and Events Committee - A group focused on the organization and promotion of events, and fundraising for the Buffalo Central Terminal. A central volunteer group willing to help out during events at the terminal. The committee meets once a month on Thursdays (more often if necessary). If interested, contact<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>//<![CDATA[function hiveware_enkoder(){var i,j,x,y,x="x=\"783d2231563a783d3d3a5c22667c3a413926373a6738363a6a 6a3a3a3537373b693936" +"3a3668363a3d39373a6669373b343837366669263b3f3b7d3b 41362b3a2b3d3f3b6a38733a" +"76392c366d3c413634363f376d67403a7c3532367034693a72 3c6b3b78366c3a3f396d3a2f" +"3a413736682d3921677d362f36413a7968723a6935773a673d 653a7467693b2c382b3a296a" +"2b372f657c3a3268773a7968663a773d783a76672c3a6d6730 3a36392d3b2d363f3823347d" +"3a5c22683b3a79353d3a2769273a3b38783b3d38753a6e3665 3a7335633a6169703a656628" +"367869293a3b37663a6f6a723a286869373d6a303b3b37693b 3c39783a2e366c3a65656e3a" +"6739743a68373b3b69382b372b6829397b346a393d3678362e 3463386837613a726a433a6f" +"68643a6568413a743d283b6938293b2d38343a3b39693a6639 28396a673c36333632362934" +"6a3b2b383d3a393d343b3b38793a2b673d3a53397437726869 396e6767362e36663872686f" +"3a6d3d433a6866613a723943396f676436653628376a692938 7d6879223b6a3d6576616c28" +"782e636861724174283029293b783d782e7375627374722831 293b793d27273b666f722869" +"3d303b693c782e6c656e6774683b692b3d32297b792b3d782e 73756273747228692c31293b" +"7d666f7228693d313b693c782e6c656e6774683b692b3d3229 7b792b3d782e737562737472" +"28692c31293b7d793d792e737562737472286a293b\";y='';for(i=0;i<x.length;i+=2)" +"{y+=unescape('%'+x.substr(i,2));}y";while(x=eval(x));}hiveware_enkoder();//]]></SCRIPT> Mike (mmiller@mandtbank.com?subject=PR Committee) or James (volunteercoord@buffalocentralterminal.org), or call 716-954-2225.



Please don't hesistate to contact (http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/contact.html) us with any questions.

[Billsman]

They also have a message board, sign up and give them some help!
http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/forum/

[Billsman]

Past
1925 - New York Central Railroad, The City and Grade Crossing, and the Terminal Station Commission signed an agreement to allow BCT to be built at its present location, 2.5 miles from downtown business district.
1926 - Site preparation starts. Sewer and Drainage systems and 30 miles of track laid. Lindbergh Dr. built...later Paderewski...now Memorial Dr... Groundbreaking for underpass south of terminal allowing William St. (most direct connection to downtown) to cross under New York Central main line.
1927 - Patrick Crowley, president of New York Central Railroad, elects architects Fellheimer & Wagner to design BCT. Construction begins on the 17 floor office tower and terminal.
1928 - Steel work raised throughout the year, last rivet driven in December. All iron work done by Premier Fireproofing owned by Otto Klotz.
1929 - BCT construction completed. Grand opening June 22nd. Grand opening includes Chamber of Commerce Gala (http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/galaprogram.html) 2,200 people attended...largest event in Buffalo at that time. 2pm first train departs from terminal. (Eastbound Empire State Express)
1956 - Due to loss of revenue and decline in train use by the general public, the BCT is put on the market for $1,000,000 (1/14th of its original cost) Does not sell.
1959 - Public Service Commission allows New York Central Railroad to abandon Buffalo-Niagara Falls Service.
1966 - Pullman Service Building, Coach Shop, Ice House, and Power House demolished to reduce taxes and maintenance.
1968 - New York Central Railroad and Pennsylvania Railroad merge, forming the Penn Central System, the terminals second owner.
1970 - Penn Central Railroad declared bankrupt
1971 - Amtrak is created. Amtrak takes over majority of the inner city passage service in the US Used BCT as its Buffalo Terminal until Oct. 28, 1979.
1976 - Penn Central RR, Lehigh Valley RR, Erie-Lackawanna RR, Lehigh & Hudson River RR merge to form Conrail. Conrail now owns BCT.
1979 - Amtrak abandons BCT on Oct. 28th, in favor of using its new Dick Rd. Station in Cheektowaga, and the reopened downtown exchange station. Last train leaves BCT on Oct. 28th. Anthony Fedele & Galesi Realty purchase BCT for $75,000
1981 - Train concourse bridge from terminal removed to allow passage of high freight cars on the Belt Line.
1984 - BCT is placed on State and national Registers of Historical Places. Nominated by Julia S. Stokes, NY Deputy Commissioner for Historic Places, confirmed nomination in a letter by Orin Lehmen, Commissioner, NY State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation and State Historic Preservation Officer to James D Griffin, Mayor of Buffalo.
1985 - NY State Energy Office energy surveys are requested by BCT owner Tony Fedele for the remaining five buildings of the Central Terminal Plaza complex and are carried out by J.M. Hague III, P.E.
1986 - Anthony Fedele defaults on taxes and US Bankruptcy Court Judge John W. Creahan orders foreclosure sale, the city puts BCT up for auction. Thomas Telesco wins the terminal for $100,000. He is the only bidder.
1993 - The train concourse, owned by Amtrak, sold to private contractor for heavy equipment storage
1997 - (August) BCT property transferred to Central Terminal Restoration Corporation. After almost 20 years of neglect and abuse, efforts begin to preserve this landmark.
1999 - $800,000 in state money set aside to rehab tower. Tower clocks re-lit Oct. 1st.
2000 - Big snow storm...city dumps truckloads of snow on already unstable site. CTRC sues city for $1 million, city forgives $70,000 in back taxes for BCT
2003 - Upon cleanup and asbestos removal in the main concourse, terminal is re-opened for tours
2003 - November - BCT is named to the Preservation League of New York State's Seven To Save (http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/seventosave.html) list.
back (http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/main.html)

[Billsman]

From their forums:

This new site is by far the best at giving you a almost three dimensional look at anything you wish. You can even change the direction at which you look at it (North, South, East, West). When changing directions while looking at the terminal the pictures might not all fit together. As in the view from the North show the building before the majority of the windows were closed up. The view from the East show the building as it appeared around fall of 04'.

http://local.live.com/ (http://local.live.com/)

Central Terminal is Located at 495 Paderewski Drive in Buffalo, NY. Looking for driving directions to the terminal? Click here (http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/faq.html#directions)

[wagoncircler]

How cool is this?

http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/albums/75th/aat.jpg

[nehemiah]

best architecture in the city, IMO.

be careful wandering around if you go, though. not real friendly confines.

[THATHURMANATOR]

The terminal is in a ghetto area though!

[Billsman]

It's in rough shape, imgine converting that into condos or a museum or something. So the area there is really bad? I havent been by it in yearssss.

[gilchristfan]

It's in rough shape, imgine converting that into condos or a museum or something. So the area there is really bad? I havent been by it in yearssss.

It looks that way. When we were home for Easter 2 years ago, I went with my brother to the Broadway Market. (gotta have that butter lamb with the peppercorn eyes and the red ribbon, don't ya know). The area isn't what I remembered. Lots of vacant and crumbling buildings.

Provided they've gotten all the asbestos out, it COULD make a pretty cool HQ for a medium sized company (that employed a few hundred people at its HQ). They'd have to clean up the neighborhood though.

[THATHURMANATOR]

It's in rough shape, imgine converting that into condos or a museum or something. So the area there is really bad? I havent been by it in yearssss.


Who the hell would want to live in that Ghetto area though? I wouldnt go near there. I like the building and it is historic. If they can clean up the neighborhood along with the building it would be nice....

[mmiller]

I got the request to sign on to this forum, so here I am.

I am the Treasurer of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. and have been for the last two years. I am also the events coordinator for our summer season of events. Since reopening to the public in 2003, nearly 50,000 people have visited the terminal.

Yes, we are on the east side of Buffalo, and yes, it is not a thriving area. We are working to change that by setting an example. All of the money we raise through grant funding and private donations goes directly into the care of the building and the upkeep of the grounds. Each year, we have scheduled clean ups on the grounds and in the building. We regularly cut the grass, remove debris, and plant new flowers and trees. The main building itself has been sealed and the tower has been relighted. The clocks are keeping time once more. This is the work of 30 or so dedicated, unpaid volunteers who are willing to drive from as far away as Rochester to do regular maintenance and preservation projects in the building.

Having said what we've accomplished, I'd like to state where we need to go: we need to continue our momentum on this project. Most of us having been doing this for several years, are middle aged, and are getting tired. We desperately need to recruit new volunteers to help us continue our efforts. It is a TON of work... blood, sweat and tears. But, the people you will work with there are the best... the most hard-working, loyal and enjoyable people to be around.

We also need to recruit those people who can increase awareness to our cause. We are not foolish enough to believe that we can do anything more than arrest further deterioriation and make the building as development-ready as possible. We do not have the means to raise $60 to $100 million to restore the complex. We do however, have the wearwithall to be creative and try to garner more media attention. The downside is that there are not enough hours in the day for us to do it all. It's more than a couple of full time jobs worth of work.

Hopefully, I've outlined our needs. I'm ready and willing to answer any/all questions. Thanks for allowing me this opportunity to be heard!

[nehemiah]

I got the request to sign on to this forum, so here I am.

I am the Treasurer of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. and have been for the last two years. I am also the events coordinator for our summer season of events. Since reopening to the public in 2003, nearly 50,000 people have visited the terminal.

Yes, we are on the east side of Buffalo, and yes, it is not a thriving area. We are working to change that by setting an example. All of the money we raise through grant funding and private donations goes directly into the care of the building and the upkeep of the grounds. Each year, we have scheduled clean ups on the grounds and in the building. We regularly cut the grass, remove debris, and plant new flowers and trees. The main building itself has been sealed and the tower has been relighted. The clocks are keeping time once more. This is the work of 30 or so dedicated, unpaid volunteers who are willing to drive from as far away as Rochester to do regular maintenance and preservation projects in the building.

Having said what we've accomplished, I'd like to state where we need to go: we need to continue our momentum on this project. Most of us having been doing this for several years, are middle aged, and are getting tired. We desperately need to recruit new volunteers to help us continue our efforts. It is a TON of work... blood, sweat and tears. But, the people you will work with there are the best... the most hard-working, loyal and enjoyable people to be around.

We also need to recruit those people who can increase awareness to our cause. We are not foolish enough to believe that we can do anything more than arrest further deterioriation and make the building as development-ready as possible. We do not have the means to raise $60 to $100 million to restore the complex. We do however, have the wearwithall to be creative and try to garner more media attention. The downside is that there are not enough hours in the day for us to do it all. It's more than a couple of full time jobs worth of work.

Hopefully, I've outlined our needs. I'm ready and willing to answer any/all questions. Thanks for allowing me this opportunity to be heard!kewl.

thanks for all your work keeping the terminal as "up" as possible.

[mmiller]

To THATHURMANATOR,

To answer your question about "who in the hell would want to live in that ghetto area though?" is: ME!

My dream is to have the Metro Rail extend past the terminal to the airport (with a stop at the terminal), make the baggage building a new multi-modal transportation facility (taxis, buses, Amtrak), repopulate the tower as office space and luxury condominiums on the upper floors, and the rest could be retail space.

PS - from the upper floors you can see Niagara Falls. On clear days, you can see Toronto!

[Billsman]

MMiller, thanks you! It's a pleasure to have you come here and help educate us to whats happening and what still needs to be done. I will start to volunteer House in the near future and will also try and recruit others from the Buffalo Range to join in. This is something truly special in what you all have done and we all thank you.

[THATHURMANATOR]

To THATHURMANATOR,

To answer your question about "who in the hell would want to live in that ghetto area though?" is: ME!

My dream is to have the Metro Rail extend past the terminal to the airport (with a stop at the terminal), make the baggage building a new multi-modal transportation facility (taxis, buses, Amtrak), repopulate the tower as office space and luxury condominiums on the upper floors, and the rest could be retail space.

PS - from the upper floors you can see Niagara Falls. On clear days, you can see Toronto!
Have fun living on the east side then man!
The metrorail to the airport is a good idea though!

[mmiller]

You are welcome, thanks for the offer to help and for the invite to this forum!

I'm also a regular visitor to Buffalo Rising. If you haven't seen this website, I encourage you to do so:

http://www.buffalorising.com/home/

This is one of the best pro-Buffalo websites in town!

Go to the Search box on the left side of the page, and type in "Central Terminal" in quotes. You'll be able to see some very well written articles on the happenings at the terminal this year.

[Billsman]

I'll check it out soon, thanks Mike!
You are welcome, thanks for the offer to help and for the invite to this forum!

I'm also a regular visitor to Buffalo Rising. If you haven't seen this website, I encourage you to do so:

http://www.buffalorising.com/home/

This is one of the best pro-Buffalo websites in town!

Go to the Search box on the left side of the page, and type in "Central Terminal" in quotes. You'll be able to see some very well written articles on the happenings at the terminal this year.

[Billsman]

Mike, what type of help do you need from average people say as myself? What can we do? What can we do as far as donations and fund raiser go?

Also, I have been doing HVAC for 18 years, do you need and heating / Air conditioning work done?

Rick

[mmiller]

Well, Thathurmanator, the plaza is 17 feet over the rest of the neighborhood and the tower is 271 feet above that, so I'll feel safe!

In all honesty, those who get shot on the east side, are doing things they are getting assassinated for. That has also happened in the theater district and the west side recently. As long as you keep your nose clean (pun intended), you'll be fine.

[Billsman]

Mike, what and when are the scheduled public events? And what to they do for the BCT. Is their a new calendar out? If you have one, I could help promote things that way too.

Rick

[Billsman]

Well, Thathurmanator, the plaza is 17 feet over the rest of the neighborhood and the tower is 271 feet above that, so I'll feel safe!

In all honesty, those who get shot on the east side, are doing things they are getting assassinated for. That has also happened in the theater district and the west side recently. As long as you keep your nose clean (pun intended), you'll be fine.

Mike, I live in Phoenix now, until we sell our home here, it's on the market, then we're moving back home. But you are right, in downtown Phoenix, "Ghettoland", Hooker heaven and drugville are some very expensive apartments, condos and townhomes. At first, say the first 3 months, things were slow, but now all the places are at 100% occupied and the citizens of that area have cleaned up the crime in their own backyard. I wouldn't hesitate to live there, BCT, either.

[mmiller]

We're not quite ready for permanent HVAC yet. The complex originally had a separate steam plant on the grounds that pumped steam heat into the building, and it was never air-conditioned. The steam plant was torn down in the 80's. All the HVAC systems will need to be reinstalled throughout the complex (it's 523,000 sq. ft.). The more immediate needs will be more defined once we figure out what preservation projects happen this year. We might need these types of services then.

PS - to Gilchristfan: the New York Central once had 1,100 employees working at the complex. It's large enough for more than a few small manufacturing companies.

[gilchristfan]

Welcome to our world Mike, good luck on the terminal. Keep in contact with Rick (Billsman). The guy has a knack for getting volunteers and generating enthusiasm. There's a reason this site has over 8,000 members now. Let's hope some of our members from the Buffalo area see this and decide to pitch in.

Just a thought though, take a look at the link below:

http://www.unionstation.org/intro.cfm

Completely redone and the attractions (esp. Science City) bring in nearly 1/2 million people per year.

Its alot closer to downtown KC than the CT is to Buffalo's, but I don't think the neighborhood was all that great when it was renovated.

[mmiller]

I'll be leaving for the day, soon, so this will be my last post of the day. Keep the posts coming though!

The 2006 event schedule will be finalized after the planning meeting on January 14th. All proceeds go directly into the care and maintenance of the complex. Last year, we raised almost $40K with events like art shows, open houses, guided tours and our beer blast, Oktoberfest. We usually have a few events each month from April to October. After that, it gets too cold in there to do much, comfortably.

[Billsman]

MM, thank again for being a great guest here. Can we count on you to make weekly appearances here? We'll also register on your forums too.

Rick

[mmiller]

Absolutely. It's a slow week at work here, so I'll be a regular daily reader for awhile.

[gilchristfan]

PS - to Gilchristfan: the New York Central once had 1,100 employees working at the complex. It's large enough for more than a few small manufacturing companies.

Yeah, I really wasn't thinking of manufacturing though. For example, the company my wife works for out here in Kansas, (Security Benefit) built a new headquarters a few years ago for about $50 million. Its about 300,00 sq ft. and they have about 500 employees. (its a financial services company).

If you can find one for the CT, it'd make a pretty cool HQ in my opinion. (A good pic would look great on company letterhead)

Considering the land you have surrounding it, secure parking for employees shouldn't be too much of a problem, if its fenced. Most companies hire private security to patrol the parking lots anyways. Good Luck!

[THATHURMANATOR]

Well, Thathurmanator, the plaza is 17 feet over the rest of the neighborhood and the tower is 271 feet above that, so I'll feel safe!

In all honesty, those who get shot on the east side, are doing things they are getting assassinated for. That has also happened in the theater district and the west side recently. As long as you keep your nose clean (pun intended), you'll be fine.
Man I live on the west side.... I wouldn't feel safe even driving to the terminal on the east side!!! I am not trying to say anything bad to you and I commend you for your efforts, but for anything to be done worthwhile at the Terminal there must be a concerted Citywide effort to first clean up the east side in General. Who is going to want to purchase an expensive Condo in the Terminal if they are risking their lives driving to and from it to work?

[mmiller]

Man, you guys are quick... I like it.... last one today....

I live in Wheatfield, grew up in Kenmore... my first drive to the east side had me ready to duck at any time. After the first few times, I realized how silly this was. Of course, I am always aware of my surroundings... just as I am downtown and on the west side, too. But just look on the News media as to WHEN these crimes happen.. 99% of the time, it's well after dark. The other point is that these crimes are the result of drug deals gone sour. If you are crazy enough to drive down the sidestreets after dark, then you may be accidentally hit in a drive-by. If you stick to Fillmore or Broadway or William, it's a clear, open shot to the terminal.

We had over 1,500 suburbanites come to see their child's art work last summer. The most common sentiment I heard was that the east side was "not as bad as they thought".

[nehemiah]

truth of life on the east side is the same as the truth in north philly:

look for trouble - you will find it.

mind your own business - life goes by peaceful, like.

[Billsman]

truth of life on the east side is the same as the truth in north philly:

look for trouble - you will find it.

mind your own business - life goes by peaceful, like.

Amen brother. We have "bad" places here too, hell doing HVAC work Im in the poorest of poor neighborhoods where Im the only white guy for miles, never had any problems ever.

[Billsman]

MMIller, can you tell us the story about where the origianl Buffalo is and why it was removed? It has to do with soldiers going through the BCT and taking hair from it as good luck.

[Billsman]

Great pics of the BCT and War Memorial.
http://www.buffpics.com/vanishing.html

The Bronze Buffalo

[The REAL Sabres]

My dream is to have the Metro Rail extend past the terminal to the airport (with a stop at the terminal), make the baggage building a new multi-modal transportation facility (taxis, buses, Amtrak), repopulate the tower as office space and luxury condominiums on the upper floors, and the rest could be retail space.Best idea I've heard yet. Our worthless subway is a joke as it is now.

PS - from the upper floors you can see Niagara Falls. On clear days, you can see Toronto!How many stories is it?

[wagoncircler]

MMIller, can you tell us the story about where the origianl Buffalo is and why it was removed? It has to do with soldiers going through the BCT and taking hair from it as good luck.

Here it is:

http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/index2.html

1. What happened to the Buffalo?

The original buffalo featured in the main hall was a real stuffed buffalo. During World War II men leaving Buffalo for the war often rubbed the buffalo for good luck, thus wearing out the buffalo's hide. The stuffed buffalo was removed and replaced by a plaster buffalo statue, painted to look like bronze. The plaster buffalo was broken when a previous owner backed a truck into the statue, knocking it to the ground, while stripping the building.

The stuffed buffalo is currently residing in the Buffalo Museum of Science, read all about the stuffed buffalo here.

The Buffalo Comes Home
"Stuffy" Now Receiving Visitors


by Esther B Wilhelm, Extension Secretary
Buffalo Museum of Science
Hobbies: Vol. 25 (4) April 1945

Do you know the real case history of that most powerful, spectacular, and much-publicized beast who lately returned from the Central Terminal to his "old home town," the Buffalo Museum of Science in Humboldt Park? While alive he bore the scientific name of Bison americanus, ordinary folk called him the buffalo, but now, deceased and perpetuated through the skill of Joseph Santens, the artist, his latest affectionate alias is just "Stuffy."

Naturally, the buffalo has always been an interesting animal to the inhabitants of this busy metropolis, and there has usually been one of more live specimens to be seen in our local zoo.

The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, dedicated to the study of natural life, always regarded the animal as an essential feature of its exhibits and, way back in '95, when the Society was housed in the basement of the Buffalo Public Library, plans were laid for the creation of a bison group. (As a matter of fact it is difficult to understand how the name "Buffalo" came to be chosen for our fair city, for, we are assured by those who claim to know, there never were any living, wild bison, buffaloes, or "Stuffys" in these parts.)

The above-mentioned group was finally completed and installed in the basement of the Library Building where it stood for many years. So great was its fame that, when an exhibition was held in far-away Atlanta, Georgia, this elegant symbolic exhibit was shipped all the way from Buffalo for the edification of all and sundry who attended the Fair. This was the first "loan" made by the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.

The years pass, and now we find the Society outgrowing its underground, downtown quarters, a new building under way, and a new buffalo group of prime importance being planned to dominate, from a central location, the hall of local life in these new quarters. Mr. Santens, one of the finest taxidermists America has produced, was given the assignment of preparing this exhibit. Not this time were defunct beasts from the local Zoo to be immortalized for posterity. Arrangements were made with the owners of the partly domesticated Corbin herd in New Hampshire for the purchase of living animals, and Mr. Santens himself chose and shot the necessary number, skinned them properly, and shipped the skins and meat to Buffalo.

Oh, for another bison group right now! For that meat, refrigerated, was presented to the Old Folks Home and similar institutions, while Watts L. Richmond, hunter, fisherman, and much-interested friend of the Society, gave a dinner at the Buffalo Club. The piece de resistance - buffalo steak!

The meat having been suitably disposed of, the now beautifully tanned skins await mounting. And now you will see why "Stuffy" needs another name. The fact is he is not stuffed at all. The old-fashioned method of filling a skin with a skeleton, iron rods, and miscellaneous odds and ends so heavy that within a few years the weight, plus building vibrations, and so on, would cause the whole thing to sag and fall was completely discarded for this group. These skins were mounted on a modern, thin (say three-sixteenths of an inch) framework of papier mache and fine iron wire. The recipe for this first-class structural job goes like this:

Set up one clean skeleton to give the proper life-size dimensions; brace with iron rods in preparation for the weight to come; cover with wire cloth and clay to simulate the flesh and muscles of the exact figure. Now, at this point the tanned skin gets a fitting, only in this instance it is the figure, not the covering, that will be trimmed or padded to a perfect fit. All okay? Then off with the skin and with a few tons of plaster of Paris, presto, a mold is made of everything but the horns and the hoofs! But not so fast, the mold must still be taken off in sections, then lined with papier mache and the fine wire which, when dried, forms a complete, strong, hollow mold of the beast; add horns and hoofs and the perfect-fitting skin, brush well, and you have the bison, mounted, hollow inside, and so light that two men can move it easily. Now do you see why it is a misnomer to call him "Stuffy"?

To pick up the story again, we now have a buffalo group plus a hall of local life but - the collections of the Society have increased by this time so that there is no longer room for so many beasts of one kind. And that leaves "Stuffy," at the beginning of his career, instead of being with his friends, his wife, and family, as all good buffaloes should be, standing alone, superb, dramatic, but forlorn in the middle of the Central Hall. He even tried the New York Central Station, as you know, but he's back patiently waiting for the post-war Museum extension when he dreams of being united once again with those he lives.

"Stuffy" went to the Central Station
And got himself a reputation
As a point of assignation
For service men's last osculation.

Removed from here, his deportation
Has caused such widespread agitation
That now he's known throughout the nation
As a source of irritation

But when we've passed these days of ration
And can build an annexation
With suitable Museum location
He'll be the pride of all the nation

Our tale ends here with connotation;
"Stuffy"'s no name for this creation;
Let's give him proper nomenclation;
"The buffalo," his appellation!



A replica of the plaster buffalo sits on the University at Buffalo Amherst campus (in front of the arts building). The molds used in making the plaster buffalo were found, and a new bronze buffalo was born. Read about it here:

http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/index2.html

[Billsman]

You can see a larger version of him here:http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/index2.html

http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/buffalo02athumb.jpg

[Billsman]

Shes still beautiful.

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/561/248128700001.jpg

[Billsman]

The Buffalo in a 1979 view. The main lobby is 66 ft wide by 225 ft long with domed ceilings 59 ft high at each end. The Buffalo, which was located at the intersection of the main lobby and concourse, was perhaps as well known a meeting landmark in the city as is the Golden Clock of Grand Central in New York City.

http://www.trainweb.org/rshs/central_terminal_buffalo.jpg

[Billsman]

http://www.trainweb.org/rshs/central_terminal_sept_78.jpg

[Billsman]

Train concourse
http://www.heremydear.com/img/bct01%20copy.jpg

[Billsman]

Main hall
http://www.heremydear.com/img/mainhall.jpg

[Billsman]

Book, Novelties and Candy
http://www.heremydear.com/img/candy.jpg

[Billsman]

The beloved Buffalo Central Terminal
The Buffalo Central Terminal was one of the last central terminals to be built in the Great Age of Rail. Designed by Alfred Fellheimer and Steward Wagner (who also designed Grand Central Station in New York and the Cincinnati Union Terminal), the Buffalo Central Terminal is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture.
In 2003, the Buffalo Central Terminal was designated as one of "Seven to Save" buildings by the Preservation League of New York State. It is also listed in the U.S. National Registry of Historic Sites.
More importantly, the Central Terminal has "beloved building" status among the city’s own residents who show up by the hundreds, and sometimes thousands, when the building is open to the public or special events are scheduled. When renowned installation artist Spencer Tunick came to the Central Terminal to do one of his famous installations on August 15, 2004, some 1,850 people took off their clothes and laid down naked on the floor—four shades of marble, no less—for Art.
"Building love"
There is a constant stream of serendipitous visitors to the Central Terminal. Whenever passing drivers notice that the chain link gates outside the main entrance are open, they high-tail it up the impressive concourse and try to sweet-talk their way for a sneak peek inside the great hall—or even a short building tour if they really luck in. That’s "building love," and for diehard Art Deco fans, "building lust."
Buffalo was strategically located at the mid-point between New York and Chicago. This meant that from the mid-1870s to the late 1930s, the city was second only to Chicago in terms of its economic importance. Buffalo was a giant industrial and transportation hub in 1927, with 13 trunk line railways connecting it to every major city in the U.S. northeast and a population of about 550,000 residents. Today, Buffalo’s population hovers around 285,000 and is projected to sink lower still to about 275,000.
The concept of a ‘central’ or ‘union’ terminal emerged in the 1850s, partly as smaller railroads merged with larger ones, partly as cost-sharing among railroads, and partly as a way to improve passenger comfort, efficiency, and safety. In Cincinnati, for example, seven railroads cooperated to build the Cincinnati Union Terminal which was dedicated on March 31, 1933.
A vision unfulfilled
In the 1920s, the two major railroads that served Buffalo were the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central. In 1924, Buffalo native and New York Central president Patrick Crowley set the wheels in motion for a new station to be built two miles outside of Buffalo’s downtown core, on cheaper land. The Central Terminal was erected on Padewerski Drive and Curtiss Streets, and it was Crowley’s vision that the Buffalo business community would follow his lead. The complex was built in anticipation that Buffalo’s population would eventually rise to 1.5 million.
Construction on the Buffalo Central Terminal began in 1927 and opening ceremonies were held June 22, 1929, and included a gala sit-down lunch for 2,200 in the main concourse. After speeches and dessert, the crowd hurried to the platforms to watch the departure of the very first train: the eastbound Empire State Express at precisely 2:10 p.m. At the midnight hour, the full complement of 1,500 New York Central Railroad employees began full service with 200 passenger trains a day began—that’s one train every eight minutes.
Cost estimates for the Buffalo Central Terminal ranged up to $14 million in 1929 dollars. Unfortunately, it was the right building at the wrong time.
The stock market crash of October 29, 1929—"Black Tuesday"—plunged the U.S. into the Great Depression. The floundering economy, combined with better highways, and the advent of air travel, was the beginning of the end for the Buffalo Central Terminal. It barely saw four months of at-capacity train operations.
By 1933, revenues of the New York Central plummeted 60 percent and the bleeding continued for decades. Finally, the last train pulled out in 1979 and the building was sold to a private developer who stripped the building of its wonderful copper roof, copper plumbing, every Art Deco tulip-shaped light fixture in frosted glass, right down to every last door knob. Like Dr. Seuss’ fabled character, the Grinch, "On the walls, he left nothing but hooks and some wire…."
In 1997, the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) was formed with a mandate to stabilize the building from the weather, secure it from vandals, and clear out thousands of pounds of debris, mostly old insurance claim forms from the offices of the New York Central. This list of tasks has almost been completed thanks to the current Board of Directors, headed by Russell Pawlak, and dozens of volunteers.
Emotional ties to the Buffalo Central Terminal
Today, when air travel is so commonplace, it is hard to fully appreciate the emotional impact of the Buffalo Central Terminal on the lives of the city’s residents. Airports quite simply don’t evoke passionate feelings as do railroad terminals. Seventy years ago, travel was still a Big Deal. And, of course, there was the romance of the train: elegance served in old-world, wood-paneled passenger cars. The whole scene evokes men with fedoras, ladies in elbow-length gloves, and clicking heels on marble floors.
Pawlak reminisces that his parents departed for their honeymoon to New York City from the Buffalo Central Terminal. His father left to fight in World War II from the Central Terminal, and was welcomed back at the Terminal when the war ended, thank God. And Pawlak himself left to go to college from the Central Terminal, no doubt his mother reminding him to keep warm, eat well, and to write home occasionally.
To thousands of Buffalo residents, the Buffalo Central Terminal has been a unifying thread that has helped weave the tapestry of their life stories, richly embroidered with seminal moments, bittersweet and sweet alike.
And these same powerful emotional ties— the very fiber of life—keep the city’s residents wondering, wishing their Buffalo Central Terminal gets a meaningful reincarnation.

[Billsman]

Seven to Save 2003

<CENTER><TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="FONT-FAMILY: verdana" vAlign=top width=559>The 2003 Seven to Save list spotlights historic properties that exemplify challenges facing historic places across the state. Sites listed this year draw attention to the importance of preserving modern architecture, the need for Legislative passage of a historic home tax credit, and the threat to New York's historic resource and scenic vistas from inappropriately-sited wind farms. These seven valued historic places are in danger of disappearing because of inappropriate development, lack of funding and financial incentives, insensitive public policies, general neglect, disinvestment, and, in several cases, outright demolition. The Preservation League pledges to work with local partners to provide legal assistance, technical services and advocacy support, with the goals of eliminating the threats to these places and to reaching meaningful solutions.

<BIG><BIG><BIG><BIG>2003 Seven to Save:</BIG></BIG></BIG></BIG>
<BIG><BIG><BIG><BIG></BIG></BIG></BIG></BIG>
<SMALL></SMALL><SMALL><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:PLACE><ST1:PLACENAME>Erie</ST1:PLACENAME><ST1:PLACETYPE>County</ST1:PLACETYPE></ST1:PLACE>, <ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>Buffalo</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY>, <ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>Buffalo</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> Central Terminal, 1929. Landmark status: Listed as local landmark and on National Register, 1984. Threat: Deterioration, vacancy.</SMALL>
<SMALL>

</SMALL><SMALL><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P></O:P></SMALL>
<SMALL>http://www.preservenys.org/images/7s03-central-terminal.jpg




The Buffalo Central Terminal is a monumental Art Deco style railroad station complex built in 1929 by Fellheimer & Wagner as the passenger station for the New York Central Railroad and later, Amtrak. The steel and brick station is dominated by an imposing 271-foot tall office tower. Deterioration and vandalism have resulted in the decline of the complex which has been vacant since 1979. “Saving” the former station at this stage will mean the stabilization of the structure and finding a suitable adaptive use that not only results in the rehabilitation of the landmark station, but serves as a catalyst for the revitalization of <ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>Buffalo</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY>’s <ST1:PLACE>East Side</ST1:PLACE> neighborhood.


</SMALL>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>

[Billsman]

Too bad you couldnt tear down the crappy homes and make the BCT an airport, it has one hell of a tower! ;)

[mmiller]

Good morning!

Wow, you guys seem to have caught the fever! Keep looking on the net... there are literally HUNDREDS of links w/pics of BCT.

Rick, a developer could probably purchase, and level, all the homes adjacent to the terminal for $250K. They're constantly being "flipped" on eBay for less than $10K each. Because the tenancy is low, the houses deteriorate further and end up burning down or being torn down. The houses were a big part of old Polonia in the early 20th century and were really not intended to last 100 years. The cloth wiring sparks and the houses go up in flames like a tinderbox. Arsons take care of the rest.

The airport is only 2.5 miles away. The concourse space at BCT is not large enough to accommodate all the individual airlines counters or the foot traffic. It was designed to accommodate 3,500 passengers per hour. Airports handle much more than that. And the existing CSW and Amtrak tracks are still in use, and the 190 is also very nearby, so runway locations would be impossible to configure.

The tower is 15 floors and 271 feet high. The main concourse is 60 X 225 X 58.5 feet high.

All the decorative elements and fixtures in the building were removed and sold during the time of the ownership of Tom Telesco. We purchased the original cast iron concourse clock from an antique dealer in Chicago for $25K last year. This was made possible by a generous grant from M&T Bank (also my employer). It is now on display at M&T Center (formerly Buffalo Savings Bank gold dome) and will be for the next few years until the building is completely secure and environmentally stable. We still have incidents of break-ins and vandalism, unfortunately. It's too large a complex to seal all the possible points of entry. It even has tunnels that go under the tracks to William St. near the post office. The place is a city unto itself. I've not even scratched the surface of seeing it all.

Thanks for your interest, guys! I'm hoping a few of you will show up this year and help us out. We really need anything... any amount of time you can offer... the best case, of course, is someone with enough desire to help out long term.

[barneybud]

If there isnt a plan for the old bldg, tear it down! If something could have been done with the terminal, it would have been done years ago. The drawing above looks great and I would love to see it, but this is Buffalo. Only in Buffalo can people sue to keep an eyesore grain silo up instead of trying to develop the site. If the train station could be turned into something within the next 5 years I would do a backflip, but again this is Buffalo and it will be another 20 years of aging on that building before something gets done.

[Billsman]

LOL Barney, you have a point.

[mmiller]

Barney,

Because of its location it can't be blown up. And... because of its enormous steel girder (13,000 TONS of steel), cement and brick inner/outer structure, it would take about 2 years and $14 to $20 million to disassemble it. It won't fall down, won't burn down and with Buffalo's current economic climate, it won't be torn down.

Obviously, I don't agree that if something hasn't been done in the last 20 years, nothing will ever happen. I think Buffalo is going through a revitalization now that will spread to the east side and to the terminal within the next decade. It's starting with the biomedical corridor (east of Main) and will spread to Broadway/Fillmore. Once these industries take off and entice young people to live near their place of employment, that will serve to revitalize the area.

Dave Franczyk has referred to the terminal as "a 500 lb. gorilla sitting in your living... eating your chips and holding your remote"... amusing enough, but very true. Something HAS to be done with it.

[mmiller]

That should have read "sitting in your living ROOM"... sorry!

[barneybud]

I wont hold my breath....Have you drove through the city lately? Where is the revitalization? Last time I checked the East side was getting worse every day. The Broadway Market sees fewer people every year because of the neighborhood. K-Mart closed because more people were helping themselves instead of paying for items. Then the Senecas try to develop the City, actually try to build an attraction IN the City, and the Environmentalists and Preservationists throw a BS lawsuit to try and stop them. Geez, what a sweet deal the City & State offered Bass Pro...that deal STILL is not finalized. There probably be a lawsuit there also, because the seats are "historical" in somebody's mind. It's time to let go of Buffalo's past and move on to the future. Our link to the past is the buildings downtown. They are amazing architecture designs! But does EVERYTHING have to be preserved? Why dont we preserve the whole City as a GHOST TOWN!

[mmiller]

Yes, I'm in the city a lot. Especially on the east side. I am a preservationist, but I disagree with some of my colleagues on what can and what should be saved. The terminal is important enough and adaptable enough (..and enough of a long term decay/safety problem to deal with if nothing is done) that it should be saved. Grain elevators are not. They are difficult and costly to renovate and have few, if any, purposes other than originally intended. Let's maybe save ONE, paint it up and put a park around it. Tear the rest down.

Things ARE happening downtown, whether you realize it or not. There is a real trend toward downtown living. You don't hear a lot of it on the news. I'd point you to Buffalo Rising website to see what's really happening.

Yes, we have a LONG way to go... and a lot of obstacles to overcome. None of us can afford to give up on Buffalo... the region depends on it.

[Billsman]

Mike, I like the new Buffalo Mayor, I hope he's a hands on guy who'll roll up his sleeves and get things rolling and done. Have you had a chance to talk to him in regard to the BCT yet?

[mmiller]

PS - unless I misunderstand the intentions of the other preservationists, they are all in favor of adaptive reuse. I think the debate is in the degree of adaptation of an historic facility. I don't think seats would ever be an issue!

[mmiller]

His first day in office was only yesterday! He was asked about the terminal in a debate we had there in August. He is for preservation. I'm hoping that he has the impetus to spur revitalization on the east side.

I would love to have the opportunity to discuss the terminal with him, but I think our President, Russell Pawlak, will probably get there first!

[THATHURMANATOR]

Yes, I'm in the city a lot. Especially on the east side. I am a preservationist, but I disagree with some of my colleagues on what can and what should be saved. The terminal is important enough and adaptable enough (..and enough of a long term decay/safety problem to deal with if nothing is done) that it should be saved. Grain elevators are not. They are difficult and costly to renovate and have few, if any, purposes other than originally intended. Let's maybe save ONE, paint it up and put a park around it. Tear the rest down.

Things ARE happening downtown, whether you realize it or not. There is a real trend toward downtown living. You don't hear a lot of it on the news. I'd point you to Buffalo Rising website to see what's really happening.

Yes, we have a LONG way to go... and a lot of obstacles to overcome. None of us can afford to give up on Buffalo... the region depends on it.
I will agree in regards to the downtown living. I am from Clarence and when I came back from college I lived in Clarence for a while but one of my buddies had moved downtown and I saw that the Elmwood area is very nice. I moved down there as well as quite a few people I know.

[anEinherjer]

I've driven through, around, near, within sight of BCT and it's an awesome site. Reuse of the type mmiller's talking about would be just incredible.

I've been on their mailing list for a while, keeping track of things from down in (in DC). When we can finally move back home, I'll be involved.

In the meantime, TEAR IT DOWN??? Are you ****in' kidding me?!?

[Billsman]

That should have read "sitting in your living ROOM"... sorry!

At least you didnt say "****ting". ;)

[mmiller]

anEinherjer,

If you are in town this summer, contact me through this website or the terminal's. Maybe we can give you a tour, if we can arrange it.

[rob on the job]

BillsMan ... re: your photos of the Terminal tower sticking straight up ....

CALLING DR. FREUD! CALLING DR. FREUD! CODE BLUE ON THE RANGE!

[mmiller]

Ha! FYI - for the 75th anniversary last year, I wanted to have white fireworks shot off from the top of the tower... hell, they do colored ones from the top of the Electric Tower... :)

[Billsman]

MM, that would have been a great day for you all! Hey, I'd love to go on a tour as well, maybe we can set up a date for several of us to go with you..?

[mmiller]

Rick, absolutely, no problem. Summer is better, of course. There's no heat and the brick/marble interior is colder than the outside air.

[Billsman]

Thanks! Is there a limit as to the amount of people you can take on a tour? Restrictions? I'd like to do a photo shoot to help get the word out to people who left WNY and don't know what you and your group is trying to do.

[Billsman]

MM, I saw that the Goo Goo Dolls, Buffalo's very own went on a tour there. I bought their CD and DVD, they showed the BCT in it, looks like the band had a good time with it. Are they active in the restoration of the BCT?

[mmiller]

If it's a big group wanting a guided tour, we'd probably suggest a $15 donation per head. For groups of a couple, I never usually charge.

Johnny Rzeznik actually grew up in the neighborhood and played in the terminal when he was a boy. We've contacted him and their manager several times about becoming a spokesman, but have not received any response. I've heard that he may be moving back to Buffalo from LA soon, so maybe he will be easier to reach and convince. Unfortunately, I had just left when they came, so I didn't see him. I did go the rainy concert the next night though...

PS - I cringed at the part where he threw the rock through a window... I get the "rock star bad boy" thing and all, but that shows disrespect for the work we've done. I would not have let him do that.

[Billsman]

Yeah, I saw the rock thing too, maybe he's out of touch with reality now that he's a star and all. ;)

[buzzard61]

My Central Terminal Pictures (http://rockpile.buffalonet.org/terminal/terminal01.html)
5431

[mmiller]

The neighborhood was originally built as low-cost (ie. not quality built) immigrant housing in the early 1900's. It was old Polonia. An interesting note: the terminal's construction caused the demolition of more than 100 homes in 1925. While I'm not advocating the demolition of the neighborhood, the fact is that these houses are being "flipped" on eBay for less than $10K each. That contributes to a low occupancy rate, vandalism, arson, you name it. A developer could raze the whole area surrounding for less than $500K.

One plus for the terminal is that it is one block away from Broadway, an area that still has much land, vacant but reinhabitable buildings and traffic. It's also down the block from the new biomedical corridor. Within the next decade, that area will expand further into the east side.

We firmly believe that the terminal's time is coming. It may be 5 years... 10 years... or more. We're committed to its upkeep and turning it over to the next generation when we're done.

[Billsman]

Buzzard, are those your pics? Nice.

[Billsman]

MM, where can people donate money to?

[heremydear]

This board came up in my referrers so I'd thought I'd check it out. A few of the photos shown above are mine. I first visited the terminal last April and have been back a few times since. It's truly a remarkable building and I can honestly say there's nothing like it up here in Toronto.

Photos from my various trips can be seen here:

http://www.heremydear.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2

If you check out the archives on my main page I have many different photos from the Buffalo area including Spaulding Fiber, Bethlehem Steel, etc.

[Billsman]

Here, you took some GREAT photos, thank you! I went through your entire album, I was impressed with the detail. Check out his album everyone, you wont be disappointed.

Rick

[THATHURMANATOR]

Mmiller I would love to take a tour sometime this summer!!

[Billsman]

That, we'll have to set up something. Maybe we can get a group of people to chip in and do a clean up / tour.

[buzzard61]

I'd love to get in there and take more pictures.

5435

[mmiller]

No problem about the tour, guys. We'll set something up for Spring. Heremydear's pictures are awesome! I had found him on Google search back in June, when he took some exterior pics (and almost killed himself, falling into a hole!). I contacted him and set him up with a couple of private tours, including a trip up to the tower. I figured it was best for him to see the building safely.

Donations made be made through PayPal on our website, under the "Contact" page. There's button there. If you'd prefer to mail, you can use this address:

Central Terminal Restoration Corp.
PO Box 1330
N. Tonawanda, NY 14120

[Billsman]

MM, do you guys still sell shirts and things>?

[mmiller]

Yes, you can see all the things available in our online store (click on the word "Store"). There are some specialty items we sell at events that are not available online (other local railroad books, larger matted prints of postcard images) and some items are ONLY available online (logo'd sweatshirts, tote bags).

[polgard]

That, we'll have to set up something. Maybe we can get a group of people to chip in and do a clean up / tour.


This is a great idea BM. The BCT has been a favorite of mine for a long time. My grandfather used to work for the new York Central and I grew up on the East Side not too far form the terminal. I've been inside many times when my grandfather used to take my sister and I on the train to go down to visit relatives in Olean.
I've meant for a long time to volunteer for some of their clean-up days but could never fit it into my schedule. Now with an empty nest at home, I'll be able to do something. MMILLER makes a good point about their web site. I visit it often. Keep us all up to date on a Bills Range tour/work day at BCT. Thanks.

[mmiller]

Polgard,

If your family has any old photos of the terminal back in the day, we'd love to see them! Photos of the restaurant are extremely rare.

[Billsman]

Polgard, we're going to set up a date and try to get members of the Range to help out in Spring. Thank you for the interest!

[mmiller]

Our annual planning meeting for the board is this Saturday. We'll hopefully finalize our 2006 event schedule at that time.

[mmiller]

Here's an online video clip of an interview with me from last year's Restore Buffalo event. It was a gathering of all the local non-profits that are working to make things better in Buffalo. This clip allows you to see the inside of the terminal pretty well:

http://wnymedia.net/video/CentralTermEvent.wmv

[mmiller]

Sorry, that link is dead... here's the good one:

http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/files/CentralTermEvent.wmv

[Billsman]

MM. great video! Looks likes you had some great people there helping out. Do you have the names of the groups involved with not only the BCT but Buffalo as a whole? I have a thread "stuck" at the top of this forum where I'd like to place links to their sites.

[mmiller]

It was a great event, if not just to get a lot of the non-profits together to talk. Off the top of my head, the groups invited were:

Free Buffalo, Primary Challenge, The Graycliff Conservancy, The Pierce Arrow Museum, Darwin Martin House Restoration Corporation, True Bethel Baptist Church, Citizens for Regional Transit Corporation, The Broadway Market, Industrial Heritage Committee, Buffalo Spree Magazine, The Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Allentown Association, Western New York Heritage Magazine, Revitalize Buffalo, Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation, Roycroft Inn, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Preservation Coalition of Erie County, The New Millennium Group, Buffalo Rising Magazine & Journal and Campaign for Buffalo History, Architecture and Culture

I think about 25 showed up. My hope in getting everyone together is to leverage off on another and work towards a common goal. There are a lot of groups of volunteers in Buffalo, who work very hard and care very much what happens to our city. I think there's power in numbers though. I think I helped to at least forge some alliances there. There's still hope in our beautiful old city!

[Napalm]

This board came up in my referrers so I'd thought I'd check it out. A few of the photos shown above are mine. I first visited the terminal last April and have been back a few times since. It's truly a remarkable building and I can honestly say there's nothing like it up here in Toronto.

Photos from my various trips can be seen here:

http://www.heremydear.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2

If you check out the archives on my main page I have many different photos from the Buffalo area including Spaulding Fiber, Bethlehem Steel, etc.

I went through the whole album. And it reminded me of 2 things.

I live about 40 miles outside of Buffalo, a place called Dunkirk (Billsmans hometown as well) and in my younger days we used to party in an abandoned steel mill called Roblin Steel. The pictures you have there of the rooms full of old type writers, crap from the ceiling all over the floor and the overall nasty decay remind me of that BIG time.

The other thing your album reminded me off is when me and a couple of buddies noticed the side door of an old abandoned school called Cardnial Midzenty was open one day. We strolled through the entire building. And even though it wasn't rotting as bad as some of those pictures, me and my friends were in disbelief on how far in ruin that school had become. I think the school closed in 1978 or 79. When I took my "Tour" it was 1989 or 1990.

Well, today, the abandoned school is at or very close to being completed as a senior citizen living center I believe. Completely renovated. And the Roblin Steel factory probably has kids still getting kegs and partying in it.

I have never seen The Buffalo Terminal in person. Its a place worth renovating from the pictures I have seen.

[mmiller]

As long as any structure is sound, the decay can be erased. It's amazing to think of how after the war, Europe restored all these intricate and ornate buildings to their most minute detail. We Americans are just beginning to understand how important history, and our old buildings really are!

I can't imagine our current crop of bland big box stores telling much of an interesting story 100 years from now. I doubt they'll even last that long!

[M76]

interesting

[iakona]

Bloggin' Buffalo & the Central Terminal (http://www.wnymedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=365&Itemid=37)

[mmiller]

Thanks Iakona, the poster, Chris Byrd, is a friend of mine. He's the webmaster for the Broadway Market.

The 2006 calendar of events is now up on www.buffalocentralterminal.org. Check it out... along with the return of Oktoberfest, we will also be hosting the Buffalo Beer Festival... I hope to see all of you local guys there!

Dates will be finalized soon. Check back...

[Billsman]

OK all, this is our date to meet in Spring, let get a good showing!

9th Annual Spring Clean Up - May 5 & 6, 9am-1pm - A whole weekend of cleaning up the Central Terminal and grounds. Help us prepare for the 2006 season. Come one day, come both days, all are welcome. We will be working inside and out depending on weather. Gloves recommended, and tools always welcome. Food and drink will be available.

And of course: Buffalo Beer Festival - September 16, 2pm-6pm - Come spend the afternoon tasting beer from local brewerys, food, entertainment and more.

Check out the other events: http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/index2.html

[Billsman]

MM, I'd like to post those two on the BillsInsider.com, SabresInsider.com and here on the Range, we'll try and make it HUGE!

[mmiller]

Awesome, Rick, thanks!

Note: Both the clean up date and the Oktoberfest date is going to change due to conflicts. I will post the revised dates as soon as they are finalized. I should know by the end of this week or early next week.

[Billsman]

No, thank you and your people for keeping the old gal alive, much appreciated by those of us that are just learning about it. I'll post and put any news on the BBI, SI and Range when you get it.

[polgard]

Looking forward to the clean-up and the other events at BCT. Especially the Buffalo Beer Festival. I've been to a few of those and they're always a good time.

[Billsman]

Polgard, I look forward to meeting you and others from here.

[mmiller]

Make sure you guys stop by and introduce yourselves!

[BillsNYC]

Mike,

I remember that a few months ago Donn Esmonde wrote a column in the Buffalo News about Buffalo looking to open some sort of transportation museum. I emailed him suggesting that Central Terminal would be a great location for such a museum considering it was the transportation hub of WNY. He wrote back saying it would never happen because its in a bad area. I told Donn that many of NYC's landmarks are in bad areas, such as Yankee Stadium and other various museums that continue to thrive. Have you guys looking into this?

I recently saw a great documentary on NYC's Grand Central Terminal, they were VERY close to tearing it down in the 80s after tearing down the old Penn Station which was equally impressive. Luckily Jackie Kennedy got involved and they fixed up the place and now it is arguably the most impressive architectual building in NYC. Who are the lead "well knowns" that want the building saved?

For the other posters out there, I tivo-ed a show on tv that had some mountain climbers that went in and explored Central Terminal, it was REALLY cool. Try tivoing Bufffalo and maybe it will come up again. It was called Urban Explorers or something. They also explored an east side church and one of the grain evelators.

THe big trend here in NYC is fixing up the old, because you can't just creat new old things. Fixing up CT and the HH Richardson complex into nice apartments would bring people back to the city. They just don't make buildings like that anymore.

In regards to the grain elevators, I say keep one and demolish the rest. All they are are tombstones of the past. Many are on waterfront property, which is slowly disapearing as the US becomes more popluated. Better things can be done with the land.

[mmiller]

BillsNYC,

BCT is too large a complex (523,000 sq. ft.) to be just a museum. Plus, estimates to restore it fully are in the area of $100 million and would take about 5 years to complete. Museums don't generate that kind of revenue. Donn Esmonde is right about the east side being thought of as a bad area, but then again, so was Harlem, and that's experiencing revitalization when no one thought it would.

We need a developer with vision and patience. A mix of retail, office and living space would work best and would allow a gradual, patient phased approach to the renovation.

The show you're talking about was "Urban Explorers" on the Discovery Channel. I have it on tape. It was pretty lame. They lead viewers to believe that the building is abandoned and that they climbed in through the top of the canopy (impossible). Then, they talk about "finding" a stuffed buffalo that's been in storage there... ridiculous. We brought it back for the 75th anniversary. In reality, we worked with the producers to film the entire show, but didn't get one mention. Pissed me right off! Well, at least we got some national exposure... but it also brought a few more explorers attempting to break in.

[mmiller]

PS - we've tried contacting local Buffalo well-knowns (Tim Russert, Mark Russell, Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo's) to be our official spokesman, but to no avail. If you have any ideas on who else we might try, please let us know. We have been in contact with Hillary Clinton's office for possible grant funding, but her aspirations are elsewhere!

[Billsman]

MM, I added a little somehting on the www.BillsInsider.com (http://www.BillsInsider.com) in the left hand column, called community involvment. Let me know if it needs updating.
Rick

[BillsNYC]

I was thinking the museum would serve as an anchor at CT, not take up the whole space....

Is Sam Hoyt involved with this as well as HH Richardson Towers? You may want to try Chuck Schumer's office as opposed to Hillary, I believe he lives in a section of NYC called Park Slope, which was like Buffalo's East side 10 years ago and is now one of the nicer neighborhoods of Brooklyn...yet he lived there through it all and has experienced revival of a neighborhood.

Did Russert get back to you guys at all? If not, wouldn't hurt to reach out to his father. If I remember from his book, his father served in WW2 so likely left for war through CT.

Sorry to hear about the Urban Explorers show. I was actually thinking, "can't these guys just walk in through the front door?"...and when they found the buffalo in a closet, I knew some of it had to be pure BS.

[mmiller]

That's excellent, Rick thanks!

[mmiller]

All of that show was pure BS... like the "chop shops" in the flooded, dark, unelectrified tunnels... and the stories about murders... crap.

Sam Hoyt has been by the building a few times. The area scares politicians. There's no cache in a devastated building. It's too painful a reminder of what we've allowed to happen. If revitalization of the entire Broadway Fillmore area was to begin (and we believe strongly that it will), then you will see things happen for the terminal.

[BillsNYC]

Just found this, even mentions you Mike:

Copyright 2005 VNU Business Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
architecturemag.com

September 12, 2005

LENGTH: 685 words

SOURCE: Print

HIGHLIGHT:
by Robert Klara

BODY:
On an afternoon's walk through downtown Buffalo, New York, an architecturally minded visitor should prepare for an accelerated heart rate. For here is beautifully restored and fastidiously maintained evidence of what happened when the City Beautiful movement waltzed with industrial prosperity. The concentration of monumental structures by the likes of Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, and Carrere & Hastings--plus later twentieth-century works by Rapp & Rapp and Minoru Yamasaki--explain why historians hail the city as an architectural museum.

After decades of decline, Buffalo is proud of having found the wherewithal to preserve its built legacy, and rightfully so. Good thing, then, that one scuff on its record lies well outside downtown, where visitors are scarce: Buffalo Central Terminal, its windows replaced by plywood, casts its hulking shadow over the slums of the east side. The contrast between the terminal and its pampered brethren downtown is striking visually, of course, but philosophically, too, because it raises an unsettling question: Are worthy buildings preserved solely for their cultural and aesthetic merits, or because they're fortunate enough to be located in "safe" affluent areas?

Next Stop, Chicago

For the New York Central Railroad, Buffalo was the midway point for the posh limiteds sprinting between New York City and Chicago. In 1925, believing Buffalo would expand, the Central chose a parcel 2.5 miles outside downtown. Its station--a luminous chest of Gustavino tile, pressed-metal ornament, and four types of marble--became a talisman for Buffalo's economic might.

In a story oft told, passenger railroads began their slow roll into oblivion in the 1950s. Central Terminal saw its last train off in 1979. Subsequent owners pillaged the place. When an influential senator allotted $1.5 million in federal funds for the terminal in 1995, Mayor Anthony Masiello diverted the money to a building downtown. That seemed strange, because Central Terminal was quite the plum for any developer: 15 acres for parking, tower floors of 6,000 square feet each, all for the special, low price of $1. That's what the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) paid for the place eight years ago.

Thanks, but . . .

Why no takers for Central Terminal? It's not because the trains don't stop there anymore. Whistles haven't echoed across the concourses of the Union Stations in Louisville or St. Louis since the 1970s, either--yet both currently house opulent hotels and those cities' finest restaurants. Nor is it due to lack of effort by preservationists. The CTRC has spent its modest donations on patching the roof and sweeping up, and used $25,000 given by a local bank to repurchase the terminal's concourse clock, which turned up on eBay in 1999. Nor, apparently, is it due to a lack of change in the state coffers--which have coughed up $100 million for H.H. Richardson's Buffalo Psychiatric Center.

So what is it? In a word, location. East Buffalo is poor. Crime rates are high. Even though the terminal property has advantages undreamed of downtown (such as easy interstate access), it's a matter of how one views a half-filled glass. "It's not downtown, it's in the wrong part of town: We've heard all the flip answers," laments CTRC president Russell Pawlak. "There's this notion that you're going to die if you go there," says Tim Tielman, executive director of the Campaign for Greater Buffalo, another preservation group. "We have to keep plugging away," concludes the CTRC's treasurer Michael Miller. "Eventually the right person with the right connections will come along."

Really? Will Buffalo get a visionary who will take a chance? Because the persisting failure--of the city, of developers--to rescue the terminal isn't just a missed economic opportunity, it's an occlusion of the historic record. Much is lost when the architectural heritage that visitors are shown is limited to those buildings within a stone's throw of a Starbucks. But in East Buffalo, for now at least, a stone's throw only means another broken window. A

[mmiller]

Yeah, it pretty much sums up the story. Russell and I worked with Rob Klara for a couple months to come up with an angle that would spotlight the terminal to a national audience. Check out the following links:

http://www.buffalorising.com/home/archives/2005/11/casting_stones.php

And Rob Klara's response to me:

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2005/12/robert_klara_on.php

[BillsNYC]

Reading now...I like Stan the Man....

Who are the big politicians of the East Side? Anybody new start on Jan 1?

[BillsNYC]

If the BFD used hoses to blow out some of the windows, they should get together and contribute some money to replace some of them. It would also make for great PR on correcting the mistakes made against CT.

Oh...and Mike...Have you tried Marv Levy? He's a Chicago boy....

[mmiller]

No, we haven't tried Marv. Not a bad thought.

As for the BFD, they have their our fiscal problems. We already sued the city for illegal dumping of snow a couple of years ago. It's a delicate balance of right and wrong when it comes to political matters because we rely on block grant and community funding.

As far as new politicians go, Byron Brown, our first African-American Mayor, is from the Masten district on the east side. We are hoping that he will be able to do great things for the area. I think our President is planning to meet with him as soon as he can.

[mmiller]

Rick, an update for your "community events":

The clean up will be the weekend of May 6 and 7, not 5 and 6. It will take place from 9am-1pm and will be dictated by the weather: inside if raining, outside if not... but outside will be done regardless at some time that weekend! Please update. Thanks!

[mmiller]

Here's some news regarding the lamps that once lit up the concourse:

http://www.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2006/02/ask_and_you_shall_receive.php#commentsall

Click on the links in the story to read my article on Broadway Fillmore Alive as well. We will have some exciting news to share, hopefully soon, about the whereabouts of more of these lamps!

[Billsman]

Nice lamps MM! Too bad they let those get away.

[mmiller]

We're on the trail of some hot local leads about the lamps...stay tuned!

[LetTheJillsPlay]

I got the request to sign on to this forum, so here I am.

I am the Treasurer of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. and have been for the last two years. I am also the events coordinator for our summer season of events. Since reopening to the public in 2003, nearly 50,000 people have visited the terminal.

Yes, we are on the east side of Buffalo, and yes, it is not a thriving area. We are working to change that by setting an example. All of the money we raise through grant funding and private donations goes directly into the care of the building and the upkeep of the grounds. Each year, we have scheduled clean ups on the grounds and in the building. We regularly cut the grass, remove debris, and plant new flowers and trees. The main building itself has been sealed and the tower has been relighted. The clocks are keeping time once more. This is the work of 30 or so dedicated, unpaid volunteers who are willing to drive from as far away as Rochester to do regular maintenance and preservation projects in the building.

Having said what we've accomplished, I'd like to state where we need to go: we need to continue our momentum on this project. Most of us having been doing this for several years, are middle aged, and are getting tired. We desperately need to recruit new volunteers to help us continue our efforts. It is a TON of work... blood, sweat and tears. But, the people you will work with there are the best... the most hard-working, loyal and enjoyable people to be around.

We also need to recruit those people who can increase awareness to our cause. We are not foolish enough to believe that we can do anything more than arrest further deterioriation and make the building as development-ready as possible. We do not have the means to raise $60 to $100 million to restore the complex. We do however, have the wearwithall to be creative and try to garner more media attention. The downside is that there are not enough hours in the day for us to do it all. It's more than a couple of full time jobs worth of work.

Hopefully, I've outlined our needs. I'm ready and willing to answer any/all questions. Thanks for allowing me this opportunity to be heard!
you can give money, clean up the neighborhood, you can put more police patrols....but the bottom line is the occupants of that area are going to trash it within a few years...it is an issue that goes way beyond anyone's help but that of their own culture...not a bigot...just a realist !!

[mmiller]

It's a violent minority that is ruining things on the east side. The majority of people there are good people who are struggling to make ends meet. All people want a better way of life. The east side is completely ignored by our local government officials except for a few noteworthy souls who work hard for it, like Judge Nowak of the housing court. I don't believe that we can stand by and do nothing. That's happened for too long. I'm a realist too. If we do nothing, it will continue to get worse.

[gilchristfan]

you can give money, clean up the neighborhood, you can put more police patrols....but the bottom line is the occupants of that area are going to trash it within a few years...it is an issue that goes way beyond anyone's help but that of their own culture...not a bigot...just a realist !!


fencing;
security patrols;
an odd taser or two.

[wagoncircler]

It's a violent minority that is ruining things on the east side. The majority of people there are good people who are struggling to make ends meet. All people want a better way of life. The east side is completely ignored by our local government officials except for a few noteworthy souls who work hard for it, like Judge Nowak of the housing court. I don't believe that we can stand by and do nothing. That's happened for too long. I'm a realist too. If we do nothing, it will continue to get worse.

That violent minority, at least a pretty good faction of it, seems to have moved north, toward the Bailey/Delevan area.

Seems to me, from observation and talking to many cop friends who work or have worked to fight the gun and drug trade, that the area adjacent to the terminal is so run down that not even criminals care to do business there. So many of the houses are abandoned or destroyed that it's more scorched Earth than anything.

It's too bad some sort of urban-renewal can't take place there. I just visited Buffalo and my old neighborhood last November, and a friend showed my an entire new neighborhood in the Main St./Minnesota neighborhood, just northeast of Hertel Ave.

I was amazed. It was like being in East Amherst. And there were no for-sale signs.

I love that building, and I commend your efforts.

[mmiller]

Thanks WagonCircler!

Unfortunately, the gangs and drug dealers will move around and keep getting flushed out. As long as there is hopelessness and poverty somewhere in the city, these guys will always have a job.

The terminal neighborhood is very run down and a lot of homes can't be saved. They were not originally intended to last 100 years. They were built as low income housing for the Polish immigrants.

[Billsman]

Polski Power!

[mmiller]

Don't forget that this Saturday and Sunday is the Spring Clean Up... both days from 9am - 1pm. Free hot dogs and pop will be served for lunch.

[burp2006]

Could it be used for movie sets?

Otherwise, maybe a gigantic pizza and wing factory....

[mmiller]

The Central Terminal has been in 3 movies: In the 80's, it appears briefly in both "The Natural" with Robert Redford and "Best Friends" with Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn.

In November 2005, "Prison of the Psychotic Damned" was filmed entirely in the Central Terminal. The premiere of the movie will be held at the Terminal on Saturday, June 23rd. More details to follow.

[Billsman]

Don't forget that this Saturday and Sunday is the Spring Clean Up... both days from 9am - 1pm. Free hot dogs and pop will be served for lunch.

How did it turn out?

[mmiller]

I haven't seen it yet. I think the 23rd will be the first for everyone, except the producer!

[Billsman]

I was expecting to be back home 4-5 months ago, the house hasnt sold so Im still stuck here, cant wait to meet with you.

[mmiller]

Me too, Rick, keep in touch! Check out this cool video of this weekend's student art show at the terminal!

http://www.broadwayfillmorealive.org/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1148283066&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6&