Buffalo's Central Terminal will celebrate the return of an historic light fixture during a ceremony Monday.
When it was learned that a Toronto antiques dealer had possession of a light sconce that once graced a wall at the Central Terminal during its hey-day, several community leaders used social media to raise $3,700 to buy it back.
Central Terminal Restoration Corporation President Marilyn Rodgers says it's this kind of community involvement that is key to the future of the East Side landmark.
"More and more people are becoming very impassioned about the reuse of the terminal," Rodgers said. "We are so thankful to the community."
Toronto antiques dealer Robert Navarro lowered the asking price for the light sconce from $9,000 to $3,000. Navarro then donated the $3,000 back to the Restoration Corporation for its campaign to replace the terminal's deteriorating roof.
"Considering he's a business owner in Toronto, he receives no benefit from this in terms of a tax deduction," Rodgers said.
Rodgers says the sconce will be on display in the terminal's gift shop when it's open for tours but then placed at a secure, off-site storage unit at all other times. Eventually, it will be permanently housed at a planned terminal museum.