Just one day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo pledged $1 million to study sites for Buffalo's new Amtrak station - Mayor Byron Brown has named the University at Buffalo's Dean of Architecture and Planning, Robert Shibley, to lead the discussion. Also on Thursday, local elected officials toured the old Central Terminal.
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-Buffalo) says, the problem with potential sites downtown is lack of access to points west.
"This site, because of the rail infrastructure that exists, you can go to New York City. You can go to Toronto. And you can go to Chicago. This is the only site that provides that access. What we are advancing here is a very compelling argument that this site needs to be considered first and foremost," Higgins said.
State Assemblymember Sean Ryan says, the Central Terminal is a symbol of neighborhood decay. But Ryan says, it can be turned around with Amtrak and other amenities.
"You know we all talk about wanting a new Buffalo. But we can't have a new Buffalo with big symbols of decay in it," Ryan said.
State Sen. Tim Kennedy, Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and Buffalo Common Councilman David Franczyk also support the Central Terminal site. Franczyk says returning passenger service there would benefit the East Side.