NFTA cuts ribbon for DL&W Sky Deck

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The NFTA celebrated the opening of the new DL&W Sky Deck on Thursday, providing a new public-facing space for Downtown Buffalo on the second floor of the historic DL&W building.

The DL&W Sky Deck offers residents and visitors alike a new way to experience the historic landmark downtown, and offers one of the best views of the Buffalo waterfront.

"More than 100 years ago, the DL&W was all about one thing: Connections. When it opened in 1917, passengers could arrive by train and could connect to ships on the Great Lakes. Rail connected people to the waterfront, to downtown, and to destinations far beyond Buffalo. Today, the technology has changed, but the mission really hasn't. We're once again connecting people by rail to our waterfront and our entertainment district, to our downtown, and to each other. And we're taking a piece of Buffalo's history and giving it a new purpose," said NFTA executive director Kimberly Minkel on Thursday.

The celebration continues this Saturday from 1 p.m.-to-5 p.m. when a special hockey-themed Rooftop Rally will take place on the Sky Deck

"We have hockey-themed games for kids of all ages, music, food, drinks, and plenty of excitement as we celebrate the Sabres' home opener. We can't think of a better way to celebrate the Sky Deck," Minkel added.

The transformation of the DL&W Terminal downtown costs about $30 million total, and it's not just the Sky Deck. The NFTA is working on a pedestrian bridge that will connect the Terminal to KeyBank Center across the street on South Park Avenue, and is in the process of adding a truck elevator to the Sky Deck that helps brings food trucks and other larger items to the second level.

"The outdoor deck is about 55,000 square feet total. The second level is about 125,000 square feet [total]. You can see it's a massive space, and I don't think you really have a complete appreciation, because so much of the deck is hidden. When you get up to the roof and you see that space, I think you'll be absolutely amazed," Minkel said. "The other great thing is when you're up on the roof, you can smell the Cheerios or the Lucky Charms, depending what's being made."

The NFTA is also planning out the future development of the second floor inside the Terminal.

"Erie Canal Harbor Development [Corporation] is doing a study right now, the DL&W is included with that. We're waiting for that to be complete, and then we will be issuing a new Request for Proposal for development to the second level," Minkel explained. "I think this time it will be so much easier for people to envision a use for the space when they see all the improvements that we put into the building."