Here’s how East Palestine plans on revitalizing 100-year-old historic freight depot
The Village of East Palestine announced Opportunity Appalachia is supporting their East Palestine Historic Train Depot Redevelopment project.
The leaders of the village and community members want to revitalize the historic freight depot originally built in 1905.
It’s located near the northwest corner of Taggart and N. Market Streets and was recently donated to the village by Norfolk Southern.
Norfolk Southern will transfer ownership of the depot building to the village following restoration of the building’s exterior. The company will retain ownership of the land underneath, which will be leased to the village.
Opportunity Appalachia is a program that fosters job growth, business support and investment in and around Ohio’s Appalachian country.
The Appalachian region is along the eastern and southern border of Ohio from Lake Erie all the way to the Ohio River. The region is only partially in Ohio; it extends across several other states, from New York to Mississippi.
East Palestine’s project is among 29 high-impact initiatives selected by Opportunity Appalachia.
How much will East Palestine need for the train depot project?
A total of $50,000 in technical assistance services has been secured to support the revitalization project through the Opportunity Appalachia program and the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation.
They’re a non-profit organization created to support the village’s revitalization projects and economic developments.
Chris Page is president of the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation board.
“We are thrilled to be part of Opportunity Appalachia’s program, which aligns perfectly with our goals for economic revitalization,” said Page. “The restoration of our historic depot will not only preserve a piece of our heritage but also pave the way for new business opportunities and community growth.”
They’re planning on starting with interior renovations, installing modern, functional electricity, plumbing and HVAC systems.
For the project, the village used the funds from Opportunity Appalachia to hire Landmarks SGA, LLC (Landmarks). They have experience adapting historic structures for modern use.
Jessica Stuck, Project Manager at Landmark SGA, will lead day-to-day operation at the site.
Stuck will coordinating with the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC) and all sub-consultants.
Village leaders say the expertise of Landmark SGA transforming brownfields, combined with the financial backing of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) and the village’s strategic oversight, positions this project for success.
According to the village, the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation will manage the redevelopment and reuse of the depot. Their goal is to maximize community and economic benefits at the depot, providing residents with an event space and employment opportunities.
Request for Proposals
The EPCIC, with the Village’s support, will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking viable business plans from existing businesses, organizations, or entrepreneurs. The RFP can be found on the village website, newsletters and on social media through Sept. 15.
Proposals will be evaluated based on their viability, job creation potential, economic benefits, and long-term sustainability.
Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals – including a summary of their plans for the space, anticipated job creation, and how their business will benefit the community – using the online form.
Proposals can also be printed and mailed to the EPCIC at 85 N. Market St., East Palestine, OH, 44413, or scanned and emailed to info@eastpalestine-oh.gov.
The EPCIC would like to direct the efforts of the architects and Landmarks SGA based on tenant interest.
Next spring, the village will have the opportunity to pitch the depot project to outside investors and funders, many of whom have social missions aligned with community recovery and development. This pitch will not only highlight the depot’s potential but also the broader recovery plan for East Palestine.
For more information on the East Palestine Historic Train Depot Redevelopment project, the RFP process, and/or to submit a proposal, please email info@eastpalestine-oh.gov.