(rshsdepot) Dover, DE

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Photo link:
http://www.doverpost.com/wklyart/99-RRstation.jpg

Former train station, court officially opened as state offices
Dover Post

NEW LIFE FOR A FAMILIAR LANDMARK: Once a welcome sight along the old
Pennsylvania Railroad line, the former Dover train station at the end of
Loockerman Street got a new lease on life during ceremonies held at the
station Friday afternoon. The station, which closed when passenger rail
service to Dover ceased in 1965, was used by the Justice of the Peace Court
until it moved to new facilities in 1998. After a $1.4 million renovation,
the building was renamed for George V. Massey, a prominent 19th-century
Dover attorney who was instrumental in bringing the railroad to Dover. Photo
by Jeff Brown.

            Gov. Ruth Ann Minner and Lt. Gov. John C. Carney Jr., cut the
ribbon at George V. Massey Station in Dover, the former train station and
Justice of the Peace Court that has been refurbished and now contains a
number of education related state agencies.

            Dover Mayor James Hutchison, Rep. Donna Stone (R-32) and state
Secretary of Administrative Services Gloria Homer joined Gov. Minner and Lt.
Gov. Carney for the official opening of the building located on the west end
of Loockerman Street.

            Renovation was completed on the late 19th century building in
December in a project that will be on time and on budget.

            "One of the objectives of my Livable Delaware agenda is to
encourage redevelopment of existing structures in existing areas rather than
building new buildings that destroy open space." Gov. Minner said.

"Here we have a building that has been preserved and adapted, which will
help keep people and businesses in downtown Dover and which is convenient
and accessible to the people it will serve. This project is a win any way
you look at it."

            Offices now housed in the building include several adult
education agencies, including the Adult Community Educators Network, the
Organization of Adult Alumni and Students in Service and the state's
Diploma-At-A-Distance program.

            Other tenants include Advisory Council on Career and Vocational
Education, the Business Industry Education Alliance and the Governor's
Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens.

            "This is a great situation for the adult literacy community,"
said Lt. Gov. Carney, who chairs the Interagency Council on Adult Literacy.
"This new location will make communication among the various agencies easier
and will allow students the opportunity to take advantage of several
programs during the same visit."

            Mayor Hutchison said the project is a step forward in the
revitalization of downtown Dover and showed the commitment of the state to
helping communities their goals.

            In 2000, House Bill 656 sponsored by state Rep. Nancy Wagner
(R-31) named the building George V. Massey Station after the 19th century
Dover attorney who convinced the Pennsylvania Railroad to build the station.

=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #301
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