Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "I was there along with our Executive Director and a couple of board members. We were invited to the massive gala. It was wonderful," boasted James Morrell, Chairman of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation on WBEN Wednesday.
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Morrell was referring to the newly restored Michigan Central Station in Detroit,
thanks to Ford Motor Company investing nearly a billion dollars into the project.
The eyes of the nation were on it Sunday night when NBC hosted "Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central, featuring legendary Detroit performers, from Diana Ross to Jack White, Eminem, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on the front lawn of the former train station.
"It was overwhelming to see what Detroit has done with Michigan Central," added Morrell.
There are many similarities between Detroit and Buffalo's old train stations.
"It sat for over 40 years. Their community came together just like Buffalo's. We brought back a lot of ideas." He declared," We can do this."
Morrell says his team is working with the same architect that restored the Michigan Central Station
The Buffalo project will be done in phases and will take several years to complete.
"We're currently trying to stabilize the building. I'm a little biased here, but our building is going to be greater than Michigan Central's. Our building is spectacular when you walk in and wait until we redevelop it. It has Guastavino tiles. One of the largest numbers of Guastavino tiles in North America.
And our building is in a lot better shape than Michigan Central." Morrell adding, "we're off and running."
How many years away is Buffalo?
"We already have activities on the front lawn for summer and fall. We're going to activate the first floor in a few years. It will be done in phases. Things are going to start happening; development, scaffolding. Once you see that it will change the minds of a lot of individuals."
