HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The 100-year-old, unused train station in downtown Hopkinsville has a chance of restoration as the city officially sells the property after declaring it a surplus.
During a Committee of the Whole meeting in August, it was first proposed that the city put the property up for bid to attract private investors. Before the sale, the depot was unused and owned by the city. It was estimated that $3 million in repairs would be required for a full restoration. The property was declared a surplus and was put up for bid in the fall.
Since the property is listed on the National Historic Registry, any renovations must adhere to guidelines that preserve its architectural integrity.
During the Dec. 17 Hopkinsville City Council meeting, a municipal order was unanimously passed authorizing the mayor to sign a purchase agreement with Railmark Holdings, Inc. and Railmark Foundation Ltd. at a price of $175,000. “I think we are going to see a lot of good things right there,” said Mayor J.R. Knight after the vote.
Future of station
The Railmark Foundation aims to support rail-related philanthropic causes including historic rail facility restoration and preservation, according to their website. In their bid letter submitted in October, President and CEO Allen Brown said they would purchase the building as is. They further detailed the intention to establish a Train Travel Inc. at this location, a rail-centric travel agency and rail attraction operator.
The bid reads, “Railmark’s vision is to create a space where clients, seeking the personalized attention of a full-service travel agency, can visit the historic 1892 depot to discuss their travel plans. Railmark does not intend to alter the building’s current configuration, as it is perfectly suited for this business activity.”
The company also has the goal of establishing a regional passenger train service, making the facility available as a station stop saying, “As Hopkinsville sits along this route, a functional depot and platform at the historic station would make it a strong candidate for regional rail service. As the U.S. population continues to grow, the establishment of regional passenger train services is inevitable.”