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Many people reacting to train station vote

Posted at 4:17 PM, Apr 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-20 19:02:37-04

A committee led by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to study the best place to put a new train station has voted to locate the Amtrak station in downtown Buffalo.

That decision has angered many who strongly felt that the Central Terminal should have been selected.

 Advocates for the Central Terminal argued that investments in a new train station would help the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.  Supporters also point to the fact that trains heading to Chicago have better access to the Central Terminal location.

Both before and after the vote, people angry with the selection process gathered at 95 Perry Street, Buffalo.  Buffalo Police were called in remove people from the building prompting angry questions of why the meeting was not open to the public.  As committee members left the vote, there were shouts accusing them of turning their backs on the East Side neighborhood.

During a press conference following the vote, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the process was done fairly and many factors were considered including the traveler experience, time to build, and ability to connect with public transportation.

Social media was filled with comments on the decision.

Mark Schroeder, Buffalo Comptroller and candidate for Buffalo mayor, called the process a "sham."

Schroeder said if he wins the Democratic Primary in September, he will takes steps to reverse the decision and have the new train station built at the Central Terminal.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly has more in his reports.