THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 21, 1996 TAG: 9608211005
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 50 lines
City Council today will consider spending $30,000 to restore the old CSX train station off North Main Street.
If the city approves the funding, it will be the last step in a nearly three-year process to save the station, which was built in 1834.
Earlier this summer, the city was awarded a Virginia Department of Transportation grant of $240,000, which will go toward refurbishing the station.
The Downtown Suffolk Association and the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society joined forces to create the Save Our Station Committee, which helped raise $30,000 in private donations.
Downtown Suffolk Association Executive Director Bob Chisom said he is pleased that efforts to restore CSX are coming to fruition.
The old station will become a visitors' center and museum. Bids will be advertised later this fall, and Chisom said there is interest from a number of developers.
``It's been frustrating waiting, because we've been working on this for a long time,'' Chisom said. ``We're excited to finally get to work and roll up our sleeves.''
William E. Harrell, assistant city manager for development, said saving the station is a step toward rebuilding downtown.
Along with plans to build the $14 million Mills E. Godwin Courts Complex on North Main, the city is also close to completing a deal with the private sector to refurbish the Professional Building at North Main and East Washington streets, Harrell said.
City officials would not name the interested parties, but Harrell said the city might offer a lease or transfer of ownership to them.
The city got ownership of the building when the Western Tidewater Community Services Board deeded it to Suffolk.
``We are very excited about the city's commitment to the courts facility and other efforts,'' Harrell said. ``We can't help but feel the spirit of revitalization is contagious.''
The grant for CSX, through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, requires city officials to take part in a grant workshop next month, Chisom said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MICHAEL KESTNER/The Virginian-Pilot file
The Save Our Station Committee helped raise $30,000 in private
donations, and the Virginia Department of Transportation awarded
Suffolk a grant of $240,000. Now the City Council will consider
adding $30,000 to the effort, which would be the final step before a
restoration effort. by CNB