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(rshsdepot) Johnson City, TN
Jan 24, 2003
Johnson City Train Depot Demolition Question Still Not Answered
by Josh Smith
NewsChannel 11 WJHL-TV
Hard hats were required for the tour of Johnson City's Train Depot Friday
morning. It was overseen by a C-S-X Railroad Vice President and attended by
city political leaders, staff, and community development leaders.
C-S-X owns the depot that was built in 1909. It was the last of three depots
that that helped boost the early growth of Johnson City. Long abandoned for
use by the railroad, the depot has been vacant for two years. Before that,
it housed a lamp shop and a flea market. Litter inside suggests it had been
a home for vagrants.
"We have an opportunity to restore and preserve a landmark of Johnson City
that heralds back to our founding as a train community," said Craig Torbett,
spokesman for the Johnson City Development Authority. The group is now in
talks with C-S-X to take ownership of the building. C-S-X has agreed to give
the building to the J.C.D.A. free of charge. Previous efforts by C-S-X to
give the building to Johnson City failed when key questions like the
building's deed history and environmental status failed to be answered.
Now the deal hinges on several of the same factors. A title search and an
environmental assessment must be completed. And the J.C.D.A must be able to
develop support for the plan by April 4th, the latest deadline given by
C-S-X. "If the offer is not accepted by then, I have to conclude that the
desire for depot is not that great," said Lyle Key, Regional Vice President
for C-S-X. "And the likely disposition is the building will be demolished."
Three Johnson City Commissioners toured the building. Mayor Duffie Jones
said the building should be preserved because of its historic significance,
but that many questions must still be answered, "before we say, 'just tear
it down!'" But City Commissioner Pete Paduch, who frequently disagrees with
Mayor Jones, said, "Demolish it. It's worthless. It's nothing but a money
trap," Paduch said.
Some estimate renovation costs at $1 million.
This story can be found at:
http://www.wjhl.com/news/localnews/MGBC2E5LCBD.html
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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