City December 15, 2011 9:56 AM

Buffalo Challenge: The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation Asks for Your Support

Buffalo Challenge: The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation Asks for Your Support
STEEL
STEEL 27
The ongoing salvation and restoration of Buffalo's magnificent New York Central Terminal has to be one of the most uplifting stories in Buffalo history. The terminal is still in rough condition but the efforts of a rag tag band of volunteers came together is a true grass roots effort to save a precious piece of WNY heritage, and step by step they have shown that anything can be accomplished with perseverance and determination and of course money.  Following is the Central Terminal Restoration Corps case, per Anthony Bylewski, as to why you should vote for them to receive the $10,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to be given in the "Buffalo Challenge".

"Central Terminal Restoration Corp. (CTRC) is a 501(c) 3, 100% volunteer organization founded to ensure the survival, restoration, rehabilitation, and continued development of the historic Buffalo Central Terminal, an Art Deco landmark that once served as one of the nation's major transportation hubs.  The mission of the CTRC is to redevelop the Terminal's 61-acre complex to its intended purpose as a center of activity for the immediate Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, the City of Buffalo, and the entire Western New York Region.

"We have obtained a grant of $300,000 from New York State to restore two main entrance canopies.  [However] CTRC must come up with $100,000 in matching funds [in order to be eligible for the money].  The $10,000, if won by the CTRC will go towards this effort and will be supplemented by our other fundraising initiatives. The Terminal is to be enjoyed by the public.  We are just volunteer stewards trying to save this building for future generations of WNYers.  If the public wants this building to survive we need their votes of support as well as their continued attendance at our fundraisers."

-Anthony Bylewski
Vice Chair CTRC

You can vote for the Central Terminal at the National Trust Buffalo challenge Facebook Page.

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27 Comments Leave a comment
SevenOneSixx
December 15, 2011 9:57 AM
SevenOneSixx

[posting with multiple names is not allowed]
Are they still looking for volunteers?

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Dagner
December 15, 2011 10:23 AM
Dagner

"Always", I believe is the answer.

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paulsobo
December 15, 2011 10:24 AM
paulsobo

Tell us fans and patrons what the restoration plans are for 2012

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Derek J. Punaro
December 15, 2011 11:01 AM
Derek J. Punaro

With receiving the grant for the canopies, our first priority will be to secure the remaining funding to begin that project. We then need to complete the detailed engineering documents for the remainder of the complex (the tower documents were completed prior to the rollout of our master plan earlier this year). Those documents serve as the basis for prioritization of work.

Then comes the hard part... finding the necessary funding to get the work done.

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SevenOneSixx
December 15, 2011 1:09 PM
SevenOneSixx

So is there a plan in place to return trains to the terminal?

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Derek J. Punaro
December 15, 2011 2:12 PM
Derek J. Punaro

We can accommodate the return of trains to the Terminal, but other than illustrate the reasons why it would make sense (e.g. http://buffalocentralterminal.org/about/buffalo-central-terminal-is-right-for-high-speed-rail/) it's up to the railroads and agencies in control to make those decisions.

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BrianWhite
December 15, 2011 2:34 PM
BrianWhite

Derek, as someone with first hand knowledge and experience in dealing with the railroad agency, I'd be happy to volunteer to help this cause.

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Derek J. Punaro
December 15, 2011 2:59 PM
Derek J. Punaro

Brian, email questions (at) buffalocentralterminal.org with your info.

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DeanerPPX
December 15, 2011 9:53 PM
DeanerPPX

Trains passing through an unfinished terminal sounds about as helpful as cars driving along an empty Main Street.

Nice to be thinking that far ahead, but let's not put the cart before the horse (especially when we haven't finished building the cart yet).

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Tom
December 15, 2011 5:19 PM
Tom

If this could become the center of high speed rail that connects Buffalo and NYC it would great. I think that funding or idea has almost gone away. I don't know how much it would cost but it has the potential to be a good investment, as long as its done right and marketed well.

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BrianWhite
December 16, 2011 8:34 AM
BrianWhite

Tom, I work rather closely with several major players in the high speed rail industry. I was at both US High Speed Rail Conferences this year, one in Chicago and one in NYC. Then the bomb dropped and the funding was yanked. Many people in the USHSRA have discussed using the Terminal for HS, connecting it with Cleveland and Chicago in one direction and NYC in the other. High Speed Rail is impressive technology and we have a great deal of potential to do great things there, but as one current US Transportation head said to me -- "Oh you're from Buffalo? Hard to get anything done there."

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dave majewski
December 15, 2011 7:27 PM
dave majewski

The BCT is as much about Community as anything else: historic, restoration, economics, name it..... It is about the Community as well. Some say "why bother"...... that was said about SOHO and other city's communities as well - across America!
No, we are not NYC, BUT - we are BUFFALO and we can set the national precedent. Please tell your feinds to vote for CTRC - every littel helps and soooo much has been done with soooo little here. The committment is there and the dedication is evident.

Other cities should be looking our way and emulating what WE DO rather than the old method of Buffalo looking aross the region and being once again envious and copycats of others. We are on the verge of being a national leader! We only need to take THE LEAD and be innovative. Be POSITIVE.

The CTRC is no better place to start this new attitude.

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paulsobo
December 15, 2011 8:33 PM
paulsobo

If we can get trains back to the Central Terminal then I say to move the bus station to the Central Terminal and make it a multi-modal station.

I still say connecting the Central Terminal, the Larkin and downtown would have a huge impact on the struggling near eastside.

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FORMER BUFFALOIAN
December 15, 2011 9:46 PM
FORMER BUFFALOIAN

I HAVE SEVERAL FAMILY TIES TO THE TERMINAL. MY GRANDFATHER RAN TRAINS INTO THE TERMIANL. MY DAD WORKED IN THE BUILDING. WE WOULD COME INTO THE TERMINAL ON AMTRAK AFTER WE GOT TRANSFERED TO NYC. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN IN THE BUFFALO AREA SINCE THE EARLY 1900'S WORKING IN THE MILLS, SHIPS AND RAILROADS. I RECENTLY LEFT BUFFALO MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE POOR JOB MARKET AND THE POLITICANS KILLING THE AREA FOR THIER OWN BENIFIT. I SPENT SOME TIME VOLUNTEERING AT THE TERMINAL, WHILE WE HAD MANY GREAT TIMES AND MET MANY GREAT PEOPLE. THERE IS NO DIRECTION OF THE BOARD EXCEPT WHEN IT BENIFITS THEM. THEY TREAT VOLUNTEERS LIKE DIRT. ASK WHERE ALL THE MONEY GOES. YOU WON'T GET A ANSWER. WHAT HAPPEN TO THE BATHROOM PROJECT. IT WAS STARTED 4 YEARS AGO. NY STATE GAVE MONEY, TAX PAYERS MONEY. BEFORE YOU THINK ABOUT VOLUNTEERING ASK WHY THEY KEEP LOSING VOLUNBTEERS. AND WHO ELECTS THE BOARD. THEM SELF BECAUSE IT'S THERE PRIVATE CLUB HOUSE. THEY TALK A GOOD SHOW. THEY HAVE NO PLANS, PLENTY OF DREAMS THAT YOU WILL NEVER SEE HAPPEN...

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KangDangaLang
December 15, 2011 10:00 PM
KangDangaLang

.....any response Derek?

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Derek J. Punaro
December 16, 2011 8:21 AM
Derek J. Punaro

It's not good policy to respond to trolls, and I'm well aware of who that particular troll is. It's easy for one to make loaded statements simply to raise doubt and then not have to provide any sort of proof.

Factually speaking, the restroom project is complete. We installed a handicap lift this year. Some plumbing issues caused us to have to close it at times this year (82 year old plumbing will do that to you) and we do not open them during large events due to capacity. As far as the grant money, while that grant was awarded in 2009, we had to front all the money and submit for reimbursement, and as of today have still only been reimbursed for about 2/3 of the total grant amount ($50,000).

Our Board of Directors elects the new and reappoints directors, as is standard for any non-membership based organization. This is clearly outlined in our bylaws, which is a public document. (http://buffalocentralterminal.org/files/CTRC%20BY%20LAWS%202009.doc - Article IV, Section 3)

As for our plans, I don't think we could make them any more public. (http://buffalocentralterminal.org/about/master-plan-overview/)

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KangDangaLang
December 16, 2011 8:28 AM
KangDangaLang

Often times is better to clear the air and let both sides of the argument be presented. Then let the outcome be decided in the court of public opinion.

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pampiniform
December 15, 2011 10:09 PM
pampiniform

YOUR GRANDFATHER RAN TRAINS INTO THE TERMINAL? WHY DID HE DO THAT?

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replied to FORMER BUFFALOIAN
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paulsobo
December 16, 2011 2:53 PM
paulsobo

So get us all excited about the restoration efforts for 2012?

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dave majewski
December 16, 2011 6:01 PM
dave majewski

Sounds like "FORMER BUFFALONIAN" has a bone to pick with someone and found this anonymous channel to vent. Aren't we glad his is "Former" - ??!!

Event the NTHP noted that they have rarely witnessed such a team of non-paid volunteers being such genuine stewards of an historic site and contributing so much for so little. They were impressed and humbled by what the CTRC is accomplishing so unselfishly.

That says a lot!

But - as with ALL endeavors and projects - we have to deal with a few of the whiners and pessimists...... Part of life. They will never go away and will always need an avenue to whine and complain to. Always.

Onward CTRC - and THANK YOU ALL !!

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dave majewski
December 16, 2011 7:17 PM
dave majewski

The CTRC gains more volunteers than those that elect to leave. There is a very professional 2011-12 Master Plan. All $$ is public - as is standard. As for any 501c3 - everything is available to the public - everything. "Clubhouse"? Why don't you show up 2-3 days/week for 52 weeks and donate EVERYTHING without the assurance that your efforts will produce what is hoped for or intended - but still keep DONATING and persevering and contributing and giving and hoping....?

I thought so.

Sorry all. Just had to get it out!

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FORMER BUFFALOIAN
December 16, 2011 9:56 PM
FORMER BUFFALOIAN

I did't elect to leave. When I started asking questions about money and offered to apply for grants and needed finical info i was kicked out as well as many volunteers associated with me. Real proffesional statement derick "trolls"? That sums up the board of directors. Open up the books board! Put your money where your big mouth is.

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Travelrrr
December 16, 2011 10:43 PM
Travelrrr

So where, say you, all the money has gone? And, what money is this? From grants? From events? I am just curious. It doesn't seem as though any money has been devoted to the site...apart from volunteers'.

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replied to FORMER BUFFALOIAN
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Derek J. Punaro
December 17, 2011 9:41 AM
Derek J. Punaro

All 501(c)(3) organizations' IRS Form 990 are available for public inspection. For convenience, I've posted ours back to 2007 on our site (http://buffalocentralterminal.org/about/). If anyone would care to see exactly how much the Board members benefit financially from the CTRC, I direct you to Part VII, Section A.

Additionally, we had a financial review completed for FY2010 by our CPA firm, as that is required documentation for many of the grant applications we are now applying for.

That's all there really is to say on this matter. Responding to false and baseless accusations is like the whole "Birther" thing. It doesn't matter how much proof you can provide if there is no willingness to accept it.

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grad94
December 17, 2011 3:12 PM
grad94

don't worry, derek. every organization has to say goodbye and (under their breaths) good riddance to someone once in a while, employee or volunteer. sounds like 'former buffalonian' was just such a person.

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dave majewski
December 17, 2011 6:41 PM
dave majewski

FORMER BUFFALONIAN - any further comments?

The books are open; and $$, progress and efforts are publicly available to ALL.

This is ludicrous and not worth anyone's further valuable time.

Sorry - we did not get your actual name.....?

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MaterialGirl
December 17, 2011 6:57 PM
MaterialGirl

Are you sure its not just a spam bot?

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