Encorus Group’s Role in the Renovation of Buffalo’s Historic DL&W Station
The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) Terminal has been a Buffalo landmark since 1917. Once a bustling rail and ferry destination, linking New York City to Buffalo and the Great Lakes, the station has served as office, storage, and maintenance space for the NFTA since the 1980s. For more than 40 years, large portions of the prime riverfront property were left empty and closed off to the public. This month, the station is being reactivated as a multi-use destination designed to connect the community, improve access to Metro Rail, Key Bank Arena, and the Empire State Trail. The reactivated DL&W Terminal will continue the wave of redevelopment in the Canalside, Cobblestone, and Old First Ward districts for many years to come.
Encorus Group has been proud to play a role in this transformation since 2018, contributing across all four divisions of our company and showcasing the full range of Encorus’s expertise. This makes the DL&W renovation one of the rare opportunities where our entire team has had the chance to be involved.
Design Services
Our Design Division provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering services, including:
- Evaluating heating and cooling requirements for public areas.
- Designing heating, radiant panel, and snow melt systems.
- Developing lighting solutions throughout the station.
- Modifying and extending the fire suppression and alarm systems.
- Interfacing electrical systems with the train traction power system.
- Providing plumbing and drainage solutions for the new public access spaces
- Construction Administration support through RFI and submittal reviews, as well as on-site observations/inspections
These upgrades modernized the facility while maintaining its historic character.
Construction Materials Testing & Special Inspections
Our Construction Materials Testing (CT) Division supported the project for more than five years by:
- Performing concrete testing.
- Providing special inspections to verify that materials and workmanship met project snd code requirements.
These services helped ensure structural integrity and quality throughout construction.
Mechanical Integrity Services
Our Mechanical Integrity (MI) Division contributed by:
- Performing targeted testing and inspections on construction materials.
- Investigating materials flagged by the owner as potentially out of specification.
- Confirming compliance with project standards and quality expectations.
This work provided assurance that the facility’s materials met all performance and safety requirements.
Regulated Building Materials
Our Regulated Building Materials (RBM) Division supported the project by:
- Conducting asbestos, lead-based paint, and PCB caulk inspections.
- Designing hazardous materials abatement plans.
- Providing on-site project and air monitoring during abatement activities.
A Collaborative Effort Across the Entire Firm
From engineering design to testing, inspection, and hazardous materials services, the DL&W Station renovation stands out as a unique project that has involved every division of Encorus Group. It highlights not only our diverse capabilities, but also our ability to collaborate seamlessly across disciplines to deliver comprehensive solutions for our clients.
As the newly renovated DL&W Station prepares to reopen its doors, we are excited to see the role it will play in connecting Buffalo’s downtown waterfront and creating a new hub of activity for residents and visitors alike.
Read more about the station’s opening from WKBW Buffalo.
