Train depot restoration finally close to fruition

Artist's rendering of the proposed Dexter railroad depot restoration project. [Click to enlarge]

Statesman Staff Writer

After several years of work and preparations, the city of Dexter is taking bids on a project to restore the train depot located on Southwest Main Street as a historic landmark and museum. Bids on the project are to be opened on Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office.

The project is being funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the city. MoDOT has committed $196,000 in the form of a grant and the city expects to contribute $62,000 as a local match, putting the total cost at an estimated $258,000.

The Tourism Committee has been working on the project for five years in an effort to restore the train depot and add an attraction to the historic downtown district. The Tourism Committee is chaired by Steve Duke and members include Pete Parysek, Don Martin, Janet Coleman, Don Gard, Donna West, Ken Lang, Charles West and Mary Worley. Duke is executive director of the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission.

The funding from MoDOT was held up until the city could extend their lease on the land with Union Pacific who owns the land. They initially had a five year lease, City Administrator Mark Stidham said. The city began negotiations with Union Pacific and on Sept. 13, 2007 signed a 20-year extension on the lease.

Dille and Traxell, LLC of Poplar Bluff was retained by the city to draw up the architectural plans for the restoration. There are two phases to the project: The first phase is to restore the depot to its original condition (with added modern conveniences) and the second phase is to establish a park that would run from Walnut Street west to Catalpa Street, said Stidham.

The first phase of the project will include restoration of the original windows, doors, light fixtures, crown moldings, base boards, chair rails and window and door casings. Much of the concrete currently at the depot will be removed and newly installed, Stidham said. The old metal building on the east end of the depot will also be removed.

The old chain link fence at the depot will be removed. The construction of a barricade with brick columns connected by wrought iron fencing is one of the alternates to the plan. A barricade is required for safety reasons, Stidham aid.

The main depot building is 96' X 24". It consists of a waiting room in the middle, a large office, baggage room, work room, kitchenette and a bathroom. The east end of the building opens to a covered pavilion which will also be restored, Stidham added, and could provide a good place for outdoor music during festivals.

The old baggage room floor will be raised (it was originally lower than the floor in the rest of the depot). The baggage room included an elevator that went to a basement area under the western portion of the depot.

"We want to keep it as close to the original and as authentic as possible," Stidham explained.

There will be several improvements, including the installation of central heat and air-conditioning, new electrical wiring and plumbing, new tile where needed and modernizing the kitchen, Stidham said. Some new windows also will be added. The depot will be handicapped accessible, with a ramp installed on the north (front) of the building, Stidham pointed out.

Currently, the Tourism Committee is still considering what will be located in the depot. There is some discussion about making it a tourist information center, with part of the building used for a train museum, Stidham said. More input will be received by the committee as the project moves forward.

"There are a lot of miniature train enthusiasts," Stidham noted, "We can envision some miniature train displays."

He added that Parysek, a committee member, has an extensive collection and could be a big help in drawing exhibits to the depot.

The second phase of the project calls for closing the railroad crossing on Mulberry Street. Stidham said the city approved closing the Mulberry Street crossing in 2007. With that closing, there will be no crossings between Catalpa and Walnut. Sassafras Street has no railroad crossing due to the old Cargill feed facility on the rail spur there.

The hope of the committee is that the entire area between the track and Southwest Main can be used as a park with a bike path and perhaps a walking trail, Stidham reflected. Landscaping including shrubs and trees would beautify the park. Parallel parking would be allowed between Walnut and Catalpa for those visiting the park.

Stidham also said that if phase two materializes, then the caboose, which is currently stationed a block east of the depot, could be moved to the park for an added attraction.

The city has already expended $7,500 to Union Pacific for the 20-year lease, and has paid the architectural firm for the plans and specifications for the project so that it would be put up for bids.

A pre-bid conference is planned for Oct. 14, with bid opening on Oct. 30.

Stidham hopes the train depot can be an asset in the revitalization of downtown Dexter, and that many activities and festivals can be built around its use.