Restoration on track

All aboard!

Restoration of the interior of Dunkirk’s historic railroad depot is underway.

“We want to get it move-in ready,” said Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation board member Jack Robbins. “Years ago, the city let it go to a private buyer and really fought to get it back. I don’t want to lose it again.”

The former Pennsylvania Railroad depot benefitted in 2013 from a grant from Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs. That grant funded a new roof and restoration of the building’s exterior envelope.

But now the DIDC and the Dunkirk Foundation are partnering on a nearly $70,000 project to restore the interior of the building, which sits in the heart of Webster-Depot Park.

In private ownership, the depot was the site of The Nest Egg, a shop featuring home décor, and was briefly used as a couple’s dwelling. For the most part, however, it’s been untouched since its days as a passenger terminal.

Jud Construction of Muncie is the general contractor, while Jim Shoemaker of Dunkirk will be handling the heating system.

Robbins said the goal of the restoration ultimately is that the depot should be the home to “a good solid business” that would lease the property for commercial use.

There’s plenty of work to be done.

The depot’s main room, which features ceilings 17-feet, 10-inches high, has seen damage to its flooring. A hot water radiator system will need to be replaced with efficient forced air heating. Two public restrooms need a lot of work and will need to be made handicapped accessible.

But the bones are there.

“All the (oak) woodwork stays,” said Robbins.

The wooden door in the baggage room is in great shape. The telegrapher’s desk is intact, as is the window where travelers would purchase their tickets.

“I remember coming in here as a kid,” said Dunkirk Police Chief Dane Mumbower, a member of the DIDC board.

As work progresses, the DIDC would like the community to provide finishing touches.

“Any memorabilia would be fantastic,” said Robbins.

“And memories,” added Mumbower. “If they could just write things down.”

“We’re just ready for this building not to be sitting empty,” said Robbins.

“It’s past due time to invest in it,” added Mumbower.

Other members of the board of the DIDC are Gary Glogas, Al Curts, Travis Richards, Dan Watson and Gene Ritter.