The train to nowhere?
The DL&W anchors Buffalo’s light rail future.
Since its launch in 1986, many have characterized Buffalo’s Metro Rail as a train to nowhere. We don’t believe that was ever an apt moniker, but in the near future, it will be hard to argue the train is anything but useful. The Metro Rail line is about to see significant growth and transit-oriented development.
According to the Buffalo News, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has reached a milestone in its long-running effort to expand Buffalo’s Metro Rail system, releasing the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed extension from the University at Buffalo’s South Campus to beyond its North Campus in Amherst.
A restored DL&W railcar sits in its original location along the edge of the future second-floor restaurant in Buffalo's DL&W Terminal.
The draft EIS has been released for public comment through September 8, 2025. It notes that the extension of the existing light rail is expected to reduce vehicle miles traveled in the area by approximately 45,000 miles while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 14.3 million grams every day. It notes the expansion will also improve access to jobs, retail, and services for residents along the route, in part by making public transportation more viable for both daily use and special events.
This is where the DL&W Terminal comes in. As the southern anchor of the Metro Rail line, the DL&W project is transit-oriented development (TOD) in the fullest sense of the term. It combines a rail hub with a large-scale, mixed-use public destination.
Defining Transit-Oriented Development
According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), transit-oriented development is “dense, walkable, mixed-use development near transit” designed to attract people and create vibrant, connected communities.
TOD leverages public investment in transit to promote neighborhood revitalization, more affordable housing, public- and private-sector investment, economic returns for nearby landowners and businesses, increased ridership, congestion relief, improved air quality, and safer conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
In its 2023 Comprehensive Transit-Oriented Development Strategic Implementation Plan, prepared with the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council, the NFTA reinforces these priorities for its vision of Buffalo’s Metro Rail corridor.
Make it stand out
A snapshot of the Comprehensive Transit-Oriented Development Strategic Implementation Plan.
The DL&W’s role
The Comprehensive Transit-Oriented Development Strategic Implementation Plan categorizes DL&W, along with Canalside, under the Sports and Entertainment District station typology (see inset). This type of TOD is designed to “support events and attractions that draw large crowds” while adding uses that keep the area active beyond event days.
The DL&W is singled out for its potential to enhance access to Canalside, with priority projects that strengthen pedestrian, bicycle, and multimodal connectivity. These include better street crossings, upgraded streetscapes, and direct links to the KeyBank Center, the Cobblestone District, and nearby parking facilities (NFTA/GBNRTC 2023, 134–172).
Additionally, the second-floor development of the DL&W adds to the entertainment district with its indoor and outdoor performance venues. But it is more than part of an entertainment district. The plans for the DL&W ensure jobs, access, and activation anchor the expansion of the forty-year-old rail, and it does so meaningfully.
Beyond the station
What makes DL&W a model for TOD is that its value extends far beyond the first-floor rail terminal. The second floor will house a public market, a pocket supermarket, cultural venues, flexible indoor and outdoor venues, and a range of food and beverage businesses. This mix of uses creates year-round activity, generates jobs, and draws visitors from across the region.
The project also addresses critical neighborhood needs. Its combination of grocery offerings and market vendors puts healthy, affordable options within walking distance of residents and easy reach for those arriving by rail, bus, bike, or on foot.
Employment is another measure of TOD’s impact, and the DL&W is projected to support an estimated 180+ full-time equivalent jobs once operational, with more than 60 meeting Erie County’s living-wage threshold. Many of these positions will be designed to be accessible to individuals who face barriers to employment.
A connected hub
From a mobility standpoint, DL&W is positioned to serve as a central multimodal link. It will be accessible from the new Metro Rail station, the Shoreline Trail, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the Empire State Trail, and the Niagara River Greenway. These regional trail systems connect the terminal to neighborhoods, parks, historic sites, and destinations across upstate New York.
Sidewalk and streetscape improvements will enhance walkability from downtown, the Cobblestone District, and Canalside. Secure short-term bike storage and a repair station will encourage cycling as a viable option for reaching the terminal. Water access for kayaks and paddleboats will add another layer of connectivity, complementing rather than defining the project’s transportation role.
Supporting the extension’s goals
The light rail extension’s projected benefits—reduced emissions, improved access to jobs, and enhanced safety for pedestrians and cyclists—mirror what the DL&W project aims to achieve on a site-specific scale. By offering a high-density, mixed-use destination at the end of the line, DL&W increases the likelihood that riders will use the system for daily trips and events.
The terminal’s year-round programming and attractions make it a reason to travel, not just a stop along the way. This is a key factor in increasing ridership, which the Federal Transit Authority and the NFTA both identify as a central goal of TOD.
Equitable growth
Ultimately, TOD is rooted in the belief in equitable access. The DL&W project turns a mothballed monolith at the heart of Buffalo’s waterfront into a welcoming and accessible year-round public space. By integrating economic development, public health, and mobility goals, the project shows how transit investments can serve broader community needs.
The DL&W Terminal is being redeveloped to connect Buffalo in more ways than one. As a multimodal anchor at the southern end of the Metro Rail — linked to trails, sidewalks, streets, and the waterfront — it embodies the principles of transit-oriented development. By pairing a modern transit hub with a vibrant, mixed-use public space, the project supports the city’s long-term goals for sustainable, equitable, and connected growth.
Join the conversation
Review the draft EIS and submit your comments here.
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