Proposals were due this week for developing the DL&W Terminal, behind the Key Bank Center, in downtown Buffalo. The ground floor serves as the maintenance shop for the NFTA's Metro Rail system.
The NFTA is seeking to develop the second floor of the DL&W Terminal into a mix of residential, retail and commercial space. RFPs were due, March 12, and NFTA spokesperson Helen Tederous says, there's been a tremendous amount of interest in the building.
"We had a number of walk throughs with the DL&W. People really are fascinated when they go in there and see how large it is. And the potential is certainly there. Our vision would of course be to revitalize that beautiful station," Tederous said.
It's expected to take a few months for the NFTA to evaluate the proposals and select a developer. In the meantime, Tederous says the DL&W Metro Rail station project is moving forward. The first step, she says, involves upgrading the tracks and other infrastructure from the foot of Main Street and into ground floor of the building.
"It is complex construction that's something that's just vital to this overall project," Tederous said.
The track work and new Metro Rail station at the DL&W is expected to cost about $43 million. She says the initial phase could start this summer and take about two years to complete.
