New York Construction Report staff writer
The Buffalo Central Terminal will receive $33 million in funding through the Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP) to stabilize the historic main terminal building and support ongoing restoration efforts.
The funding will address key safety and structural concerns, including the restoration of safe access to the passenger concourse, expansion of the Plaza and lawn areas, and repairs to roof leaks and masonry issues. The construction, which is expected to take two years, will also focus on stabilizing the building’s upper tower and the West side of the Plaza.
Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) and Buffalo Construction Consultants, hosted the Buffalo Central Terminal Construction Career Fair in November to recruit people into skilled trades jobs for te project.
“Governor Hochul’s investment in the iconic Central Terminal is helping to harness the potential of this vibrant East Buffalo neighborhood,” said Hope Knight, President, CEO, and Commissioner of Empire State Development. “We are revitalizing the historic landmark one phase at a time, carving out a future for this architectural anchor,” she added.
CTRC chair James Morrell called the $33 million investment a “generational investment” that aims to restore the terminal as a cultural and economic hub. “The future of the Central Terminal is in motion,” Morrell said in a statement. “Together, we are building a new future as a lasting cultural and economic hub for the community.”
The renovations will address a variety of needs, including repairs to the Tower Roof, Concourse Roof, and Light Court Roof to prevent water infiltration. Additional work will stabilize the structure and repair the Plaza and its perimeter masonry, which will help secure the building from further weather-related damage.
“The future of the Central Terminal is in motion,” Morrell continued. “Together, we are building a new future as a lasting cultural and economic hub for the community.”
The interior restoration will include stabilizing historic features such as Guastavino wall and ceiling tiles, floors, and marble wainscoting. Safety upgrades will include the installation of new lighting, fire alarms, and smoke detection systems.
Quinn Evans is the project’s lead architect.
“We are honoring the terminal’s rich architectural heritage while stabilizing it for future use and public enjoyment,” said principal architect Richard Hess, emphasizing the importance of preserving the terminal’s historic character.
Phase one of the project will open the west side of the passenger concourse for limited public events, while a barrier will separate it from the east side, which will remain visible. This phase will also include the repair of the historic restaurant, entrance lobbies, and the Waiting Room/Concourse wall.
The $33 million is part of a $300 million, multi-year regional strategy aimed at revitalizing Buffalo’s East Side, Niagara Falls, and Rochester. The RRP has allocated a total of $61 million toward the Central Terminal’s reuse.