Buffalo Central Terminal

Timeline

1925:An increasing need for a new train terminal is being seen in Buffalo. The current terminals were very hard to navigate through and were becoming too old to use. Buffalo was also becoming known as a train city with hundreds of trains going in and out each day.
1925:The documents of the Buffalo Central Terminal are signed, allowing the Terminal to be located where it is today.
1926:Construction begins, track is laid, and Lindbergh (now Memorial) Drive was created.
1927:Construction begins on the 17 story office tower.
1928:Steel work is done the entire year, the last rivet was laid in December.
June 22, 1929: Grand opening of Terminal, which brought out 2,200 people for the gala. The first train departed at 2:00 p.m. that day.
1940s:After a decline in use of trains, the amount of people traveling on trains increases due to World War II.
1956:Due to a decrease in train usage, the BCT is put up for sale for $1,000,000, which is about 1/14 of its original cost, and does not sell.
1959:The city allows the New York Central Railroad to discontinue service between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
1966: The Pullman Service Building, Coach Shop, Ice House, and Power House are demolished to reduce costs.
1968:The New York Central Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad merge to form Penn Central, the new owners of the Terminal.
1970:Penn Central goes bankrupt.
1971:Amtrak created, and used the Terminal as its central Buffalo station.
1976:Penn Central RR,Lehigh Valley RR, Erie-Lackawanna RR, and Lehigh & Hudson River RR merge forming Conrail, the new owners of the Terminal.
1979:Amtrak abandons the Terminal on October 28, for the newer Dick Road station in Depew. They also reopen the Exchange Street station downtown. Anthony Fedele & Galesi Realty buy the Terminal for $75,000.
1981:Train concourse bridge is demolished so taller freight cars can pass through the station on the "Belt Line".
1984:The Terminal is placed on the State and National Registers of Historical Places, therefore it is now unable to be torn down.
1985:Tony Fedele requests energy surveys from the NY State Energy Office for the remaining 5 buildings that were part of the Terminal.
1986:Fedele goes bankrupt and the Bankruptcy Court and Thomas Telesco wins it for $100,000, being the only bidder.
1986-1997: The Terminal faces a period of mostly neglect. The two owners during the period, Telesco and Tuchman pawn off most of the valuable items and vandals who can easily access the building destroy it. Weather also damages it, causing severe water damage to much of the concourse. A few arsons also occur.
1990:Complex sold to Bernie Tuchman.
1993:The concourse, owned by Amtrak, is leased for heavy equipment storage.
1997:The Buffalo Central Terminal Restoration Corporation buys the Terminal for $1, and about $70,000 in back taxes.
1999:$1,000,000 of Erie County money was set aside to fix the tower. The clock was re-lit again October 1 of that year.
2000:A large snowstorm causes the city to dump loads of snow on the unstable property, and the Central Terminal Restoration Cooperation (CTRC) sues the city for $1,000,000. The city decides to take away the $70,000 the CTRC owes the city for back taxes.
2003:The removal of 350 tons of debris, repairs, asbestos removal, roof and the repair of 4000 windows, the Terminal is able to be opened for tours.
November 2003:The BCT is put on the Preservation League of New York State’s "Seven to Save" list.
2004:BCT turns 75 and has a big celebration. The city gives them $75,000 for rehabilitation of the building.
May 2005:The original concourse clock, found for sale on eBay out of Chicago, was (with the help of M&T Bank, WBEN and many Buffalonians) saved, and the CRTC was able to purchase it.
2006:The Buffalo Central Terminal has 20,000 visitors, breaking a record, due to Oktoberfest, the Buffalo Brewfest, and the Train Show.
2007:CRTC celebrated 10th anniversary as the Dyngus Day celebration comes back to the Terminal.
2008:Two large projects are completed: abatement in the restaurant area and concrete work by the entrance.
2009:The Buffalo Central Terminal celebrates its 80th Anniversary in June and the Main Concourse Clock returns to the Terminal.
2011:Master plan outlining reuse of the complex released to public. CTRC awarded a $306,000 grant from New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to repair and restore two of the original entryway canopies. A replica Buffalo statue is placed in the Main Concourse. Urban Habitat Project launched to transform a portion of the grounds. First public tours up to the thirteenth floor of the tower are held.