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(rshsdepot) Aiken, SC
From the Aiken Standard.
Photo available at _http://www.aikenstandard.com/0831depot_
(http://www.aikenstandard.com/0831depot)
Bernie Wagenblast
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Railroad Depot will break ground at ceremony Friday
8/31/2008 11:47 PM
By APRIL BAILEY
Staff writer
Organizers and Friends of the Aiken Railroad Depot will hold a
groundbreaking to prepare for construction on the depot building on Friday. The event will
be held at the future site of the Railroad Depot, at the corner of Park
Avenue and Union Street. The event is scheduled to kick off a little after 9 a.m.
The ceremony will coincide with the beginning of the Aiken's Makin'
festival. All Aboard members will march to the site from Newberry Street, led by the
Aiken High School ROTC Color Guard and the USC Aiken Pep Band.
All Aboard Campaign chairman Tim Simmons, Mayor Fred Cavanaugh, Aiken County
Council chairman Ronnie Young and Washington Group President Preston Rahe
Jr. are slated to speak at the groundbreaking.
The ceremony comes after nine years of planning for the depot project,
according to a release from the organization. Construction for the depot building
is expected to take about nine to 10 months, with its grand opening set for
next year.
The building will be designed to replicate the original railway station,
built in the 1800s. The first floor of the two-and-a-half story depot will serve
as the tourism office for the City of Aiken, as well as a meeting space. The
second floor will house several train exhibits of Aiken's railroad history,
with models that will depict life along the railroad from Charleston to Aiken
to the Savannah River.
For a little more than a year, workers have been restoring vintage railroad
cars, which will be located next to the depot. The cars will serve as a space
for parties and catered events. A baggage building, which will include a
kitchen, will also be constructed at the site. Construction on the railroad
cars, depot and baggage buildings, loading platform, site work and groups is
expected to cost $2.4 million. Organizers say that the entire project will cost
$3 million.
Supporters of the project say once it's complete, the depot will help
stimulate growth at Park Avenue and Union Street, with Gyles Park the site of
future concerts and festivals.
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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 #1772
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org