The Buffalo Central Terminal, a 20-storey Art Deco gem that has sat vacant for decades, is undergoing significant structural repairs and restoration work under the second phase of a redevelopment that could hit $300 million over a multi-year span.
Masonry repairs, asbestos abatement and other rehabilitation and restoration work are underway on the tower under the watch of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, a non-profit dedicated to developing the terminal into “a lasting cultural and economic hub,” says Melvin Bankhead III, marketing and communications co-ordinator with the CTRC.
Plans call for a watertight building envelope and the rehabilitation of the main concourse for temporary use in 2027 and permanent use later, he says.
Further phases will see the entire building back in use and housing is proposed for the adjacent old post office and baggage centre on the 60-acre property.
Angela Wyrembelski, senior architect with Quinn Evans, whose experience as project lead preservation architect on the Michigan Central Station restoration in Detroit has served her well in her role as lead architect on the Buffalo project.
A prime focus is on the tower’s rooftop, where roof sections, decks and parapets are under repair and restoration as a result of neglect since the 1970s and Buffalo’s harsh winters.
“We lost one of the large stone parapets of the stone cornice and a lot of the brick can be pulled off by hand,” says Wyrembelski.
The architect has worked with structural engineers to figure out the complexities of the job at the top of the tower. The way it was built complicates the process of repairing the concrete deck and replacing sections, she says.
Another challenge is how to get scaffolding to the top of the building for materials and labor accessibility.
Currently, the buckhoist (a materials and personnel lift) attached to the side of the building only goes up to the 16th roof patio level of the 20-storey tower, says Tom Renauto, regional director, Buffalo Construction Consultants, the construction managers.
“We’re going to have to erect scaffolding from there to the top to allow masons to repair the perimeter of the outside shelf.”
He adds eventually a “substantial crane” will be needed to move damaged capstones from the top.
During peak construction next year, he says there will be 80 to 100 tradespeople onsite.
While some of the work involves old world craftsmanship, Renauto is confident in the availability of skilled subtrades from around Buffalo to complete the work.
Subcontracts are awarded through a tendering process as design phases are completed.
Plans also call for the replacement of the entry plaza deck over underground parking with a “deep deck” comprised of concrete and reinforcing steel to support the heavier loads of modern vehicles, says Wyrembelski.
She adds this phase includes repairs and restoration to the historic Guastavino vaulted ceiling, which involves work to the Akoustolith tiles, the porous, sound-absorbing terra cotta tile which form the self-supporting barrel vault ceiling.
Raised joint profiles will be repointed and the tiles will be cleaned and repositioned if necessary.
“It will be a showcase piece of what the rest of the concourse will look like in future phases,” says the architect, adding the mezzanine balcony railings will be restored to their Art Deco era. Repairs to marble wainscoting, terrazzo floors and some work on cast iron doors are also on tap.
The terminal redevelopment is being financed through a mix of public funding, tax credits and philanthropic support.
Bankhead III says in addition to financing through revitalization partnership and individual donors, the project will be self-funding over time through revenues generated from events hosted in the passenger concourse and eventually from revenues from housing to be developed in the adjacent post office and mail baggage buildings.
Calling the Central Terminal “the last legacy building in Buffalo to get the attention it really deserves,” he says funding sources will be found as phases are completed because people in the community “love this building.”
The building was designated in 1984 under the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
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