Central Terminal in mix to be home to new train station for Buffalo

Today, Congressman Brian Higgins, State Senator Tim Kennedy, State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Buffalo Common Councilman Dave Franczyk and Buffalo Central Terminal Restoration Corporation;s Mark Lewandowski are meeting at the Central Terminal to tour the complex. This comes after the news yesterday where Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state will pay for the $1 million study to expore different options for a site in the city. Cuomo asked Mayor Byron Brown to head a committee that will determine the location within six months.The terminal is on the short list of sites being considered for a new home for a train station in Buffalo.

From the Buffalo News:

The congressman (Higgins) prefers the Central Terminal, which could accommodate trains headed eastbound, westbound and north into Canada. That also is the preference of the Buffalo Common Council, which went on record  Oct. 18 in support of the East Side art deco landmark. Citizens For Regional Transit, a group that supports expansion of mass transit also favors the Central Terminal site.

Earlier this year, Canadian developer Harry Stinson announced plans to redevelop the Central Terminal complex. Coupling this with the potential of train service returning to the terminal, this could be the one-two punch in making redevelopment of the complex a reality.

More from Congressman Higgins in the Buffalo News:

“It may not have been possible 15 years ago, but restoration of the Central Terminal is possible in the new Buffalo,” Higgins said. “In the enormous scale of that redevelopment project, it may be possible to carve out a small ‘station-within-a-station’ that would squarely and singularly focus on providing a highly functional train station to meet current and projected needs.

There have been different plans floated over the years for Central Terminal redevelopment — none coming to fruition. But the traction here is undeniable. A new day for this East Side treasure may just be right around the corner. Fingers crossed.


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4 thoughts on “Central Terminal in mix to be home to new train station for Buffalo

  1. Central Terminal would indeed be a fitting gateway to the Queen City of the Great Lakes. Finally! But an important component of this equation – which would make it all work – is to extend the existing Metro Rail line eastward from its current waterfront terminus, on existing rail rights-of-way that are already publicly owned. This line would ultimately connect downtown to the airport, stopping at Larkinville, Central Terminal, and Walden Galleria along the way. If served by this light rail line, Central Terminal would not be “isolated” or “too far from downtown” – common criticisms of Central Terminal’s location. Note also that CT has tons of space for parking (which the waterfront does not) and, for future consideration, intersects with the Beltline and has more than enough capacity to accommodate high speed rail service and intercity bus lines, should Greyhound move in the future.

  2. Let’s fight to make this happen!! It’s grandeur can match the grand train stations of the world and can be another great step forward for Buffalo. Central Terminal is not too far from downtown! It is central, and there now needs to be a strong focus on bringing the whole city along the renaissance “train”. Other major cities use their rail systems to connect the city and move travelers along, and we need to do the same. Our rail system helped build Buffalo and the rest of the country and this is the time to make that happen again.!

  3. I grew up right down the street, and remember the activity when trains did come through there… With all the upbuilding of downtown into south Buffalo, it’s time to get the Broadway Polonia district a boost… The Broadway Market needs more visitors all year not just Easter, and the trains coming through the terminal would bring more people.. Lets Do It!!!

  4. I don’t know why there’s even any debate about a new train station. The Central Terminal should be chosen because IT’S A TRAIN STATION!!

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