Buffalo Central Terminal Site & Neighborhood Planning

As part of a multi-disciplinary team led by SmithGroup, JLP+D has supported the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) in the development of a master plan for the revitalization of the historic Buffalo Central Terminal, along with a neighborhood plan for the reintegration of the terminal into the surrounding Broadway-Fillmore community. The project incorporated a variety of community revitalization components, building upon other East Side initiatives, such as the ongoing planning for the rejuvenation of the nearby Broadway Market.

As part of this effort, JLP+D supported the market research and stakeholder engagement process to identify the optimal mix of uses that will enable the adaptive reuse of portions of the terminal building, matching useable spaces with program options that would align with the CTRC mission, activate indoor and outdoor spaces, and provide much-needed revenue to advance long-range plans for phased renovations. With the opportunity for catalytic investment in Buffalo’s East Side, JLP+D has coordinated with local agencies and developers to delineate community needs and identify funding sources to support their development.

JLP+D has also led the creation of a development and financing structure for use in evaluating future developer proposals for the site, including recommendations about the relative merits of various types of property conveyance (long-term ground lease vs. fee-simple disposition) and expectations for development financing. This work combines a market scan of various potential uses, combined with input from key local stakeholders.