CITIES ENGINEER TRAIN STATION REVIVAL

It is the 1960s demolition of New York's Pennsylvania Station that is creditied with launching the historic preservation of train stations. Because train stations are centrally located, it makes perfect sense for cities seeking to revitalize their downtowns to tap the grand old buildings that once housed the railroad lines. Some, like St. Louis, Missouri, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, have turned their stations into prosperous hotels. Stations, like those in Omaha, Nebraska, and Cincinnati, Ohio, have become museums. Jacksonville, Florida, transformed its old station into a convention center. Stations in Pueblo, Colorado, and Collierville, Tennessee, now house municipal offices. Still others, like those in Anchorage, Alaska, and Fargo, North Dakota, have been converted into microbreweries. Unfortunately, stations in Detroit, Michigan, and Buffalo, New York, as well as countless tiny architecturally interesting depots, have fallen victim to neglect or to ownership battles between railroads and cities. Because of their size, and the quality of materials used to construct them, aging train stations are outrageously expensive to renovate. However, cities willing to do a little legwork can find the financial wherewithal to protect their stations. Federal grants for urban revitalization, state money, and local bonds proceeds all have contributed to the renovation of stations nationwide. Some towns have found rehabilitation funds in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act's Transportation Enhancement Program. Renovation and restoration projects involving train stations are as varied as the stations themselves.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0149337X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Page Range: pp 42-46, 51-52, 54, 56
• Corporate Authors:

  Intertec Publishing Corporation

  6151 Powers Ferry Road, NW
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30339-2941
• Authors:
  • Ward, J
• Publication Date: 1999-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: 9 p.
• Serial:
  • American City & County
  • Volume: 114
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Penton Media
  • ISSN: 0149-337X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bonds; Cities; Financing; Government funding; Grant aid; Historic preservation; Railroad stations; Rehabilitation; Urban renewal
• Identifier Terms: Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Finance; History; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00765144
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 29 1999 12:00AM