(Picture – Buffalo Rising)

Broadway Fillmore Alive co-founder, former President of the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. and Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo-Niagara has been selected as one the finalists for the 2010 ArtVoice Best of Buffalo Awards as ‘Best Activist.’

Thank you to all who voted…this would be a great posthumous honor for Mike who worked tirelessly not only for B-F, but preservation issues all around WNY.

Knowing Mike, he would probably say “Guys…why did you do that?!?!?”

(Mark Sommer – Buffalo News) August was a heart-wrenching month for the people working to save and restore the Central Terminal.

In the space of three weeks, the restoration group lost its past two presidents — longtime leader Russell Pawlak and his successor, Michael Miller, both in their 50s, both from natural causes.

Their deaths could have been enough to derail any organization, especially this one, given its long identification with Pawlak’s infectious passion for the iconic building and more recently, Miller’s enthusiastic commitment to saving it.

Instead, their successor, Mark Lewandowski, and the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. have regrouped and will redouble efforts to realize the dream of redeveloping the 80-year-old landmark on Buffalo’s East Side.

That includes creating a master plan for the building’s vaulted concourse, 17-story tower and five-story baggage building they hope to complete in late 2010.

[read full story--->]

Mike was very helpful in helping get Western New York Minority Media Professionals Broadway Theatre project moving…

From WNYMMP:

The WNYMMP is honoring Michael J. Miller by dedicating one of the new add on buildings in his name. The Michael J. Miller Lounge will consist of a reception and concession area, restaurant, restrooms, and coat check. The 2400 sq. ft. lounge can hold up to 150 people. It will be used for event intermissions, fundraisers, and private functions. WNYMMP is planning to construct the lounge on the vacant property adjacent to the theatre.

Michael J. MillerMichael J. Miller, 51, of Wheatfield, NY, President of the Board of Directors for the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, died on August 27, 2009. As an active preservation leader for Western New York, Michael inspired many volunteers from the City and throughout the surrounding suburbs to become committed to the preservation efforts for the Central Terminal and the East Side of Buffalo. His passion for the area’s history was infectious. His demeanor and enthusiasm not only encouraged scores of people to become involved but to stay dedicated for the long term.

You can read more about this project by following the link below…what a great honor for Mike!!!

http://thebroadwaytheatre.net

Last Thursday, our good friend Mike Miller passed away. Many people knew Mike from the work he did for the Buffalo Central Terminal, Broadway Fillmore Alive, and most recently Preservation Buffalo Niagara. We knew Mike first as a friend, and a great advocate for Wesern New York second.

You often hear people say, “He’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet” about a person. With Mike, this was genuinely the truth. I’ve never known another individual to be so selfless, so caring, and so genuine in everything he said and did. That was Mike – always quick to point out a person’s redeeming qualities when others might not see them. Always the level-headed mediator. Always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt.

[read full story--->]

Michael Miller, 51, of Wheatfield, NY, President of the Board of Directors for the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, died on August 27, 2009. As an active preservation leader for Western New York, Michael inspired many volunteers from the City and throughout the surrounding suburbs to become committed to the preservation efforts for the Central Terminal and the East Side of Buffalo. His passion for the area’s history was infectious. His demeanor and enthusiasm not only encouraged scores of people to become involved but to stay dedicated for the long term.

He was encouraged by the possibility that recent plans for High Speed Rail and associated development could be the catalyst to bring the Terminal Building back into reuse and be saved for other generations to enjoy.

Michael previously had served as the Board Treasurer and spearheaded the effort of creating a broad mix of events bringing the public back to enjoy the Terminal.

[read full story--->]

From the Buffalo News…

March 23, 1958—Aug. 27, 2009

WHEATFIELD —Michael J. Miller of Wheatfield, executive director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara and a longtime advocate of historic preservation, died Thursday in his home after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was 51.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Miller was a 1976 graduate of Kenmore West High School and was employed by M&T Bank for more than 17 years.

Mr. Miller served as president and was co-founder of Broadway-Fillmore Alive.

“I owe Mike so much,” Christopher Byrd, another founder of Broadway-Fillmore Alive, wrote on the organization’s Web site. “He was a confidant and friend. He loved the neighborhood. He always pointed me in the right direction with his advice.”

Mr. Miller was an active volunteer and leader for the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. and was recently named its president.

He also recently joined Preservation Buffalo Niagara as its executive director, fulfilling a lifelong passion to work full-time in historic preservation.

“He brought significant professional skills, a wonderful spirit and enthusiasm to the organization as well as an extensive network of friends,” Catherine Schweitzer, chairwoman of the organization’s board, said in a statement. “Through his dedicated service to the Central Terminal and Broadway-Fillmore area, Michael earned the trust and respect of the preservation community.”

An avid car enthusiast, Mr. Miller also enjoyed studying architecture and photography.

Survivors include his mother, Rita, and two sisters, Karen Smith and Katie Travis.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p. m. Tuesday in the Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive.

I received a phone call late last night that my good friend, BFA co-founder, Central Terminal Restoration Corporation President and Preservation Buffalo Niagara Executive Director Michael Miller had died.

I am devasted by the news…I owe Mike so much…he was a confidant and friend…he loved the neigborhood…he always pointed me in the right direction with his advice…say a prayer for him and his family…we have lost one truly remarkable person.

Michael Miller sat in for Newell Nussbaumer on the Buffalo Rising Roundtable on WBFO this week…he joined BRO’s Elena Cala Buscarino and WBFO’s Mark Scott.

Give it a listen…

 [here is BR's story]

(Bill Wippert / Buffalo News)

(By Danny Yadron NEWS STAFF REPORTER) When John Hajduk’s family picked up his grandma from the train station in the 1960s, they met her at the clock.

And when Ben Hiltz left for Army boot camp in 1964, he met the “guy with the tickets” at the clock.

It was the common phrase at Buffalo’s Central Terminal during the station’s heyday.

“Meet me at the clock,” said Hiltz, 67, a Town of Tonawanda resident who has spent the past five years cleaning up the dilapidated building. “It’s something that everyone remembers.”

Central Terminal curators last week returned the original four-sided timepiece to the main concourse for the building’s 80th birthday party, scheduled Saturday. Fifteen feet tall under a nearly 60-foot ceiling, the chipped and repainted relic doesn’t change much, those involved admit. But supporters of renovating Buffalo’s once-stately train station said they hope the addition will help the city reclaim its past.

[read full story]

***reminder…tomorrow is 80th Anniversary Celebration***