Foundation poured for depot, welcome center

A foundation is being placed for the Aiken Railroad Depot.

Workers spent last week pouring the concrete ground work for the depot, which is currently undergoing the first phase of construction, according to Tim Simmons, chairman of the All Aboard! Campaign.

"We just started construction on the main building and we plan to be finished by the end of the year," he said.

Work began on the $3 million project last month after the group gained approval from the City Planning Commission to construct the two-story building north of Park Avenue, on the Union Street right-of-way.

Simmons said once the foundation is placed, the walls will go up and soon the roof of the depot, too.

The depot will also serve as the City of Aiken's welcome center and the headquarters for the City of Aiken's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. Simmons said work on the building is being done locally by Stewart Builders Inc.

"I think everyone is excited about it and we're really looking forward to it," he said. Organizers for the project have already acquired over $2 million for the work, though Simmons said there is still about $800,000 left to raise.

He said with the economy the way it is, donations for the project have recently slowed, however, Simmons said contributions are still "moving along steady."

The money raised thus far is going toward finishing the exterior of the railroad car, the interactive exhibits and for landscaping, Simmons said.

The interactive exhibits will be set up on the second floor of the depot and will depict life along the railroad from Charleston to Aiken to the Savannah River.

Simmons said the group is working with interactive designers on the models and expects them to be complete soon.

After work on the depot is finished, Simmons said interior work on vintage dining cars will start, along with the construction of a baggage building on the site.

To make a donation to the project, 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.