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The Journal - June 14, 1997 (abridged)
by Rodney White
PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE
The Gaston Caperton train station, once a condemned building unsafe for human use, has become something of a showcase for historic preservation.
The building’s overall appearance impressed Jim Wilson, the architectural coordinator for the state Historic Preservation office.“This is a really neat place. It has lot of nice details that are usually associated with old train stations,” he said.
The new station, located in the 200 block of East Martin Street, “is not a historic place, but it has all of the evocations of a historic place,” he said.
Smith was on a tour for people attending the annual meeting of the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. The tour was led by the architects who designed the project, Matthew Grove and Lisa Dall’Olio.The city and state has spent nearly $1.9 million on restoring the exterior of the original building, which dates to 1849, constructing a new wing, which will be used as the passenger station. The city is seeking another $700,000 to complete restoration of the interior of the original building.
All that remains to be done on the project is the final inspection of the elevator and some electrical work. Councilman Richard Yauger said he expects it to be open when the building is dedicated June 21 (1997). While the preservationists were looking at the exterior, Yauger and other city officials were double checking items that need to be officially inspected before the building can be used by the public. The structure is very different from what it was when last visited by the public in October. The exteriors of the old and new buildings are closely matched and the three-story front porch on the old building harkens back to a similar structure that once stood there.The station’s interior walls have been painted in a soft yellow, the wood trim given a rich dark stain. Four benches found in the original building have been restored and placed in the waiting room.
Among those on the tour who were astounded was Lake Polan, a businessman who hails from another West Virginia city long linked to railroads – Huntington. Polan is a firm believer in the Main Street program. Martinsburg City Council earlier this year voted against funding Main Street Martinsburg for the upcoming fiscal year.Polan later said he was surprised the City of Martinsburg opted not to fund it’s Main Street program. He said the program helped him create two “back office” businesses (in Huntington) that now employ about 500 people.
Terrell Ellis, who led the discussion on preserving old buildings, said preserving old buildings can add to a community’s tax revenues. People she described as “heritage tourists” tend to stay in a community 1.5 days longer and spend about $65 more, she said.
by Rodney White
PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE
The Gaston Caperton train station, once a condemned building unsafe for human use, has become something of a showcase for historic preservation.
The building’s overall appearance impressed Jim Wilson, the architectural coordinator for the state Historic Preservation office.“This is a really neat place. It has lot of nice details that are usually associated with old train stations,” he said.
The new station, located in the 200 block of East Martin Street, “is not a historic place, but it has all of the evocations of a historic place,” he said.
Smith was on a tour for people attending the annual meeting of the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. The tour was led by the architects who designed the project, Matthew Grove and Lisa Dall’Olio.The city and state has spent nearly $1.9 million on restoring the exterior of the original building, which dates to 1849, constructing a new wing, which will be used as the passenger station. The city is seeking another $700,000 to complete restoration of the interior of the original building.
All that remains to be done on the project is the final inspection of the elevator and some electrical work. Councilman Richard Yauger said he expects it to be open when the building is dedicated June 21 (1997). While the preservationists were looking at the exterior, Yauger and other city officials were double checking items that need to be officially inspected before the building can be used by the public. The structure is very different from what it was when last visited by the public in October. The exteriors of the old and new buildings are closely matched and the three-story front porch on the old building harkens back to a similar structure that once stood there.The station’s interior walls have been painted in a soft yellow, the wood trim given a rich dark stain. Four benches found in the original building have been restored and placed in the waiting room.
Among those on the tour who were astounded was Lake Polan, a businessman who hails from another West Virginia city long linked to railroads – Huntington. Polan is a firm believer in the Main Street program. Martinsburg City Council earlier this year voted against funding Main Street Martinsburg for the upcoming fiscal year.Polan later said he was surprised the City of Martinsburg opted not to fund it’s Main Street program. He said the program helped him create two “back office” businesses (in Huntington) that now employ about 500 people.
Terrell Ellis, who led the discussion on preserving old buildings, said preserving old buildings can add to a community’s tax revenues. People she described as “heritage tourists” tend to stay in a community 1.5 days longer and spend about $65 more, she said.
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