New York Central Station, Syracuse

The New York Central Railroad Passenger Station in Syracuse is a striking example of 1930s Art Deco architecture and a testament to the city's railroading past. Built in 1936 as the third of four stations operated by the New York Central Railroad in Syracuse, the station marked a significant shift in urban planning-elevating train tracks above street level to improve safety and reduce congestion. The building and its elevated route opened simultaneously on September 24, 1936, showcasing modern design and infrastructure.

However, the station’s rail service era was relatively short-lived. By 1962, the construction of Interstate 690 through the city required a rerouting of passenger trains to a temporary station in East Syracuse. This highway project, cutting directly behind the former station, led to the removal of most of its train platforms. The building itself saw a second life in commercial use-first as a Midtown Motors car dealership in the late 1950s and later as a Greyhound bus terminal until it was damaged by fire in 1996.

In 1998, bus and train services were finally consolidated at the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center. Meanwhile, the historic station building underwent a major renovation between 2001 and 2003, transforming it into the regional headquarters for Time Warner Cable (now Charter Spectrum) and the studio space for Spectrum News Central New York. It continues to serve both purposes today.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, the building remains a notable symbol of Syracuse’s evolving transportation landscape. Plans to restore a remaining platform were announced in 2016, further preserving its legacy.