Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 26, 1993 TAG: 9310260194
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
But for almost five years, community leaders have searched for ways to preserve this reminder of a bygone era that fueled much of Franklin County's industrial progress.
"It is a part of the history of the county," said Dorothy Cundiff, director of the Franklin County Merchants and Business Association. "We've lost so much that it's something we want to keep."
Town Council has had to battle Norfolk Southern Corp. to keep the rail company from razing the 80-year-old, weather-beaten depot with its shattered windows.
Now the old station's future seems a lot brighter.
The state Transportation Board has approved a $54,000 grant to plan renovation of the Franklin Street terminal as part of its transportation enhancement projects program. The town will contribute $10,800.
While many residents and business owners in the area applaud the project, some think that the investment is an unnecessary drain on the town.
"A lot of people think you should just tear the whole thing down," said Addie Dillon, who owns Frank's Cafe with her husband, Frank. Many of her customers dining there recently expressed disapproval with the project but declined to comment further.
"We gotta live here," one man said.
Mark Henne, the town manager, stressed that the depot was an ideal place to house a welcome center because it is near the town's entrance, and people headed toward Virginia 40 to visit Ferrum College would pass by it.
The town will use the money it received this year to flesh out the concept, which envisions a small museum, welcome center and video showcase charting the history of the county.
But Curtis Austin of Ruffin, N.C., who was visiting his son in Rocky Mount on a recent Saturday afternoon, said he thinks the depot is too far off the beaten path. "You expect a welcome station to be on the main highway," he said.
Nevertheless, people who live and work near the depot are anxious for construction to get under way.
Georgia Hodges, owner of Magic Mirror Beauty Salon, just visited a restored train station in Stroudsburg, Pa., and thinks that visitors to Rocky Mount would enjoy a similar place to stop and learn more about things to do in the county.
Besides, the building needs to be used, she said. "The longer it sits with no activity, it's just gonna dry up and rot."
The depot project was one of 37 around the state that received $14.8 million in federal funds. The town received only part of its request for $660,000 because so many localities applied, said Bob Spieldenner, a spokesman for the Department of Transportation. There were 219 applications requesting $69 million.
Train stations in Charlottesville, Danville, Strasburg, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Petersburg and Emporia also will receive money for rehabilitation.
Henne said Rocky Mount likely would apply for construction funds next year.
931026 DEPOT STORY #17533 TOPIC KEYWORD DESK AUTHOR:10/26/93 kreed va C3 depot headline byline
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