(rshsdepot) Marion, NC

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Architect: Train depot renovations a'track'tive

By MIKE CONLEY
Staff Writer -  Marion McDowell News

Thursday, April 24, 2003

When the renovation work is complete, the old Southern Railway depot in Marion will be transformed into a beautiful building capable of hosting receptions and concerts as well as serving as a passenger rail station. 

In other words, this project could result in a second community building for Marion even before passenger rail service returns to western North Carolina. And the ground-breaking for this project could be held as early as August of this year.

Architect David Black of the Raleigh firm Hager Smith Design unveiled his drawing of what the renovated depot will look like in the near future. He described the plans for the depot renovation project during a Tuesday meeting at the Marion City Hall.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Little, Councilman Cecil Owenby, Councilman Lloyd Cuthbertson and City Manager Bob Boyette heard the presentation by Black.

Downtown Business Association Director Freddie Killough also heard the presentation, along with four members of the public.

Last year, Black and other architects from Hager Smith Design started their work on the old depot. This architectural firm will also oversee the renovation of the Morganton depot.

The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to bring passenger rail service back to western North Carolina. The state DOT's plan calls for the establishment of a passenger rail line between Salisbury and Asheville, with stops in Marion, Old Fort, Black Mountain, Morganton, Valdese, Hickory and Statesville.

As part of the project, architectural firms have studied existing depots in the cities and towns along the rail line for future use as passenger stations. Architects from Hager Smith have studied Marion's depot and concluded it is one of the oldest surviving railroad depots in North Carolina. Portions of the building's freight depot section date back as far as 1868. Other portions of the freight depot section were built later in the 1880s or 1890s.

At one time, the Southern Railway had a separate building that stood nearby and served as a passenger depot. This building was torn down in 1952 and a newer addition was built onto the older freight depot. This 1952 addition was used as a railroad office in later years.

Regular passenger rail service to western North Carolina ended in August 1975. In recent years, the Marion depot has stood empty with its windows covered by boards. It has also been the target of vandals.

In his presentation, Black said his plan calls for the demolition of the existing loading docks formerly used by freight trains. A new plaza would be built around the depot with fountains and possibly a monument. An outdoor stage could be built for concerts and special events.

"The outside will be like a small park," Boyette said.

Black's plan also calls for retaining the 1952 addition for use as a passenger waiting room once passenger trains start running again. He said the 1952 addition will be kept despite some objections from the state over historical preservation concerns. This addition will provide needed space for a passenger waiting room. This waiting area will have movable benches appropriate for the 1952 period.

"The 1952 passenger depot provided some pretty good space. It is well built," Black said.

Black's plan calls for the removal of the hip roof and chimney from the main portion of the building. The gable roof will be recreated on the building as it was before 1952. It will be a painted tin shingle roof with a possible charcoal gray color. The exterior walls will consist of red brick with dark green trim.

Black said these colors are historically accurate for the depot and were used by the Southern Railway.

But rather than restoring an old building to its former appearance, Black said his design calls for something new. The 1952 addition never existed alongside the freight depot when it had a gable roof.

"We're actually creating another version of the depot," he said.

City officials said they like the look of Black's design.

"I think that's very attractive, personally," Little said.

The interior of the old freight depot will have a large open space for receptions and special events. Black's plan includes new restrooms for men and women.

A small warming kitchen is included in the plan for the renovated depot. This kitchen will not be used for cooking meals from scratch. Instead, it will be used for heating up food that has been cooked elsewhere.

The actual start of passenger rail service for western North Carolina has been delayed due to the state's budget problems. Craig Newton, senior project engineer for the N.C. Rail Division, said the state does not yet have the funding for the passenger rail project. He added it would take about five more years before the passenger trains would start running, even if the state had the money for the project right now.

"We can't speculate when the service will start," Newton said. "If we had the funding now, it would be 2008."

However, the state now has the money for the depot renovations in the cities and towns.

The cost of renovating the Marion depot is estimated at $1.2 million to $1.3 million. Of this amount, the city of Marion will have to pay 10 percent. The city's share for the renovation will be between $120,000 and $130,000. The city of Marion will seek grant money to help pay for its share.

"The money from the federal and state governments is there for the depots from Salisbury and Asheville," Boyette said.

This means Marion could have a first-class facility even before passenger trains start running.

The city could start seeking bids from construction companies as early as June.

Newton said $135 million will be needed to repair and upgrade Norfolk Southern's railroad tracks between Salisbury and Asheville and other portions of the passenger rail project. Furthermore, the state is continuing to meet with Norfolk Southern about the use of these tracks.

"Basically, Norfolk Southern considers the tracks to be their factory, and you can't come in and disrupt their operations," Newton said.

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

------------------------------

End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #647
*******************************

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