Available for Reuse and the Revitalization of Downtown
The exterior renovations have been completed and the historic freight depot donated by Norfolk Southern is ready for its next life. The East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC) and the Village of East Palestine are seeking viable business proposals from interested businesses, organizations, or entrepreneurs for its redevelopment to contribute to the community’s economic and cultural resurgence.
The goal of the village is to repurpose the building for the highest benefit to the community, which could include leasing the building to one or more small businesses. No internal renovations will be completed until the type of reuse has been determined.
HISTORY
The depot was built in 1905 at the corner of Taggart and Market Streets by the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway, which was a major part of the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) system, extending the PRR west from Pittsburgh via Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Chicago, Illinois. That line eventually was passed to Penn Central Transportation in 1968 and Conrail in 1976. In 1998, following the breakup of Conrail, Norfolk Southern acquired the line east of Crestline. The depot came with the line.
SPECIFICATIONS
The depot is approximately 18.5’ x 133.5’ (just over 2,400 square feet). The exterior was restored in keeping with its historic design. The building features a large open space accessed by wide sliding wooden doors on both sides of the building making it ideal for reuse as an open market. It could be customized to fit different retail or unique food and beverage service applications. The building currently has no operating electric service, plumbing, or HVAC. A parking area is adjacent to the west of the depot,
and the building is ADA accessible with a ramp.
COMMITTED FUNDING
- The Village of East Palestine has been awarded technical assistance services grant valued at $45,000 from Opportunity Appalachia to hire architects and consultants to create design concepts, construction cost estimates and market assessments.
- Norfolk Southern has donated $100,000 toward interior renovations determined by the village.
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS
Proposals will be evaluated based on their viability, job creation potential, economic benefits, and long-term sustainability. The RFP will be advertised on the village website, newsletter, and social media through
October 31, 2024. Proposals can be submitted using one of the methods below:
ONLINE: https://epohio.org/historic-freight-depot/
PRINT & MAIL: EPCIC at 85 N. Market St., East Palestine, OH, 44413
SCAN & EMAIL: info@eastpalestine-oh.gov
TAKE THIS SURVEY
We Want to Hear Your Ideas
Landmarks SGA has been retained by the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation, through Opportunity Appalachia, to assist with the redevelopment of the Train Depot to act as a catalyst to gain and engage other development projects to rebuild the economic base for the community. We will be developing conceptual floor plans and a financial feasibility analysis for the redevelopment of the Train Depot based on the programming needs of the community. Please take this quick, 5-minute survey to help inform reuse scenarios for the redevelopment of the Train Depot.
