Bashar Issa’s plans for Statler Towers have garnered plenty of attention here and elsewhere. But deep in the Buffalo News’ story last Tuesday on Statler renovation plans was news that Issa is indeed working with the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation on a redevelopment plan.
(Note: This post originally appeared on Thursday. Due to technical issues with the BR site, this significant development didn't receive the attention it deserves and was reposted).
According to the News:
Issa, who was drawn to the Statler Towers because of its historic nature, also confirmed he has made several trips to the Central Terminal complex and might be interested in redeveloping the long-neglected Buffalo landmark.
“It’s too early to say if anything will come of it, but it has a lot of potential,” he said. Issa has had preliminary conversations with the Central Terminal Restoration Corp., the nonprofit group that owns the historic rail station, as well as with Common Council President David Franczyk.
Current thinking is to start with redevelopment of the baggage building (top photo) that could be renovated fairly quickly and inexpensively as commercial space. The tower and concourse, the most costly portions of the complex to rehabilitate, would be developed in a later phase. Issa is also suggesting that Amtrak service be returned to the terminal.
A deal has not been reached and work is at least 18 months off.
Central Terminal Restoration Corporation Vice President Mike Miller is cautiously optimistic. "We are very pleased with the opportunities we've had to discuss redevelopment ideas for the Central Terminal with Bashar and we look forward to conversations to come. A business plan for a development project of this size and scope must be carefully thought out and will take some time and considerable effort to give it the proper due diligence,” according to Miller. “We're in the talking stages right now and those talks hopefully will continue to be as productive as they have been.”
In the meantime, the Central Terminal is moving forward with a full schedule of events this year.
“This is an exciting time for the terminal. Even if the development discussions with Bashar don't work out, we are now firmly on the development radar screen and we are continuing to attract tens of thousands of people each year to our unique series of events,” says Miller. “Back in 1997, not too many people gave us any hope to get this far, but here it is ten years and a lot of hard work later and the future has never looked brighter for the Central Terminal."
Bottom photo by Mike Miller