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(rshsdepot) Norwalk, CT
From The Hour.
Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/
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Ground Broken for New Retro-Feel Train Station in Norwalk, Conn.
Nov. 4--NORWALK, Conn. -- City officials broke ground Wednesday on the new
East Norwalk Train Station, where by next spring commuters will be able to
buy a cup of coffee, read the newspaper and wait for a train inside a modern
building with historic flair.
"What we're trying to do is capture the feel of the previous century
railroad station, yet with the amenities of today," said architect Robert
Cavello of Westview Group LLC.
The $200,000 station will measure 500 square feet and feature a concession
area, two restrooms, several waiting seats, windows to see approaching
trains, a gabled roof with overhang, decorative bracketing beneath the
overhang, a large clock and, perhaps, a historic logo.
"What I'd try to do is incorporate the old New Haven Railroad logo with the
N and the H combined on top of each other," Cavello said.
The current building, a rundown box-like structure, was built in the early
1990s on concrete pillars instead of an enclosed foundation, and since has
succumbed to bug infestation and frozen pipes during the winter.
"Today in East Norwalk, we begin the job of replacing this decrepit station
behind me with a functional new building to better serve the needs of
commuters," Knopp said.
Grasping shovels for the 'groundbreaking' were Knopp; Cavello; Common
Council member Fred A. Bondi; Parking Authority member Anowar Shahjahan;
public works administrative services Manager Kathryn R. Hebert; and All
Phase Construction owner Ray Weiner.
All-Phase of Bridgeport expects construction to take 180 days. Knopp said
commuters displaced by the loss of 17 parking spaces during that period may
park in the lot behind St. Thomas The Apostle Church.
Knopp said he recalled the state Department of Transportation attempting to
close the train station when he became involved in city politics in 1983. He
described the station as one of the most-used stations along the New Haven
Line of the Metro-North Railroad.
On average, 26,000 Norwalk residents and 27,000 nonresidents commute from
Norwalk daily, according to the South Western Regional Planning Agency.
"This is a great station; it's got to keep going," Bondi said.
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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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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1026
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=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org