(rshsdepot) Robins, NC

[I95BERNIEW_@_aol.com]

From today's Pilot.
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Work Progresses Slowly on Robbins Depot
 
BY JOHN CHAPPELL: STAFF WRITER
 
Robbins has been working on the railroad station, but the work is sometimes  
agonizingly slow.

"As with any project, you can expect interruptions and impediments to  hold 
up progress," George Kecatos told Northern Moore Tomorrow (NMT). "But, I  must 
admit, the depot project had more than its share."
 
NMT and the town are partners with two railway lines in restoring the Old  Eli
se Depot in the heart of Robbins. Some day it will become a transportation  
museum and visitors center.


The N.C. Department of Transportation has helped things  along with money 
from a promised matching grant. The first stage meant raising  $30,000 locally. 
It took a long time, but there were other interruptions.  
One fundraising effort involved selling woven throws displaying historic area 
 features. As time passed, notable things happened that were not in the 
original  design: NC STEP, the Mid-Atlantic Star Party, American Growler.  
The company that was to weave them closed its doors, and a new supplier had  
to be found. NMT president Noah Phillips drove to the old factory in hopes the 
 throws had been completed and could be found, but no luck.  
A revised design is in the approval process, produced by Weavetec in  
Wytheville, Va. Ruby Machi of its Simply Home division sent a preliminary image.   
"Once you let me know it's OK, we will weave a sample," she told Phillips.  
"Or, preferably, your whole order."  
Phillips suggested some additions and hopes NMT will soon be taking Christmas 
 orders.  
In the meantime, NMT met by telephone with architect Paul Stephens, who will  
draw final plans for each stage of the depot's restoration and 
transformation.  He has to navigate a fine line between historic preservation and modern 
code  rules for public buildings like museums. Health problems got in his -- and 
the  depot project's -- way.  
"(Stephens) was diagnosed with a serious illness, which required surgery and  
ongoing treatments that further delayed the project," Kecatos said. "However, 
at  that point, we were not ready to proceed with the final approvals and  
construction since we did not raise the minimum $30,000 matching requirement for 
 the DOT grant, nor did we have funds to cover expected contingencies for the 
 project. On the positive side, the delays gave our fundraising committee 
time to  meet the matching requirement."  
Each phase for the architectural drawings required approval from NCDOT, the  
town and two railroads before Stephens and NMT could proceed with the next 
step.   
NCDOT wanted the old, original loading ramp preserved. Code required a longer 
 ramp for handicapped access -- but the only feasible location for such an 
access  ramp would block views of the preserved old one.  
"We had tried to preserve the original loading dock ramp," Stephens wrote to  
the NCDOT. "I have seen no others surviving in the depots I have had the  
opportunity to work with."  
He met with NMT by way of a telephone conference in September, and they came  
up with an idea.  
"Having discussed this with the committee, we have decided that we can over  
build the original ramp leaving it in place," Stephens told NCDOT. "I trust 
that  this approach will be acceptable."  
Another problem involved placement of a set of steps at the rear where a  
platform will make outdoor performances possible. The Robbins Fire Department  
had some concerns, since it is directly across the street from the present fire  
station and could have blocked clearance needed when backing fire engines 
into  their stalls.  
Now, Robbins has acquired property for a new fire station. Those fire engines 
 will live a block away.  
Plans call for new restrooms, track lighting for exhibit display, darkening  
the existing timbers overhead while leaving them open to view, and refinishing 
 tongue and groove flooring in passages. The main floor was long ago replaced 
by  a concrete slab.  
It is a plan in progress. In the meantime, the project needs money.  
"Ongoing fundraising activities are critical to the overall success of the  
Depot project," Kecatos said. "The next step is for the architect to fully  
commit himself to comply with DOT's recommendations and complete the project on  
a timely basis without any further delays. At the same time, we can file for 
an  extension with DOT."  
NMT will continue fundraising efforts even as it works with the town and STEP 
 coaches to coordinate all their related projects.  
John Chappell can be reached at 783-5841 or by e-mail at  
jchappell_@_thepilot.com.


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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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