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Depot groundbreaking may be happening soon
7/17/2008 11:54 PM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend



By APRIL BAILEY

Staff writer

Organizers could break ground for the Aiken Railroad Depot in two months.

All Aboard Campaign members and supporters will meet next week to choose a date for the Depot's groundbreaking, according to Steve Hale, a spokesman for the All Aboard Campaign, a public/private partnership for the project. Hale said the group is looking to hold a groundbreaking near the beginning of September, close to the date of the Aiken's Makin' event.

The cars arrived in Aiken from Tennessee last August and were placed on Union Street, where workers have been restoring the cars for almost a year. Hale said the group has arranged for a painter to paint the cars Pullman green, with "The City of Aiken" painted on the cars in gold lettering. When the entire project is complete, the cars will offer a space for catered events and dinners.

"We've found someone that will give us a real good deal on paint," said Hale.

He said the campaign has raised about $2.2 million thus far for the project, which has a $3 million price tag. The Aiken Depot will be a replica of the original railway station, constructed in the 1800s. The money for the project will go toward construction of the Depot, furnishings for the building and railway cars and for costs of the exhibit. The two-story building will have a dome-shaped roof, an elevator and interactive displays featuring Aiken's railroad history.

Construction of the railroad cars, depot and baggage buildings, loading platform and the site work and groups is expected to cost $2.4 million. The furnishings are expected to cost $500,000 and another $500,000 for exhibits. Once construction wraps, the ground floor of the Depot will be used for gatherings, such as meetings and receptions.

The project is being funded by public and private donors, and Hale said he thinks more donations will start coming in once construction on the building begins and people see the progress the group has made.

All Aboard organizers hope the project will stimulate growth at Park Avenue and Union Street and boost tourism in Aiken.

To make a donation, make checks payable to Aiken Corporation-Friends of the Aiken Railroad Depot and send them to All Aboard-Friends of the Aiken Railroad Depot, P.O. Box 1177, Aiken, SC 29802.

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