EAST PALESTINE — East Palestine has big plans for the historic train depot, but those big plans will come with a big price tag. Economic development consultant Mike Jacoby of Bricker Graydon told council that the work required to ready the structure for a commercial tenant will cost an estimated $722,000.

“The building is 120 years old and has been empty for 20 years,” Jacoby explained. “It no longer has heat, electricity, gas or plumbing.”

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.

Shortly after the 2023 train derailment, Norfolk Southern announced plans to renovate the structure and give its ownership to the village. Last May, a ceremony was held in which then-CEO Alan Shaw turned over the keys to the depot to Mayor Trent Conaway. Norfolk Southern said it had spent over $1 million to repair and renovate the exterior of the depot to its original condition. That work included a new roof, siding, windows, cargo-bay doors and cement padding around the building. The railroad also pledged another $100,000 to the village to complete the interior work.

After utilizing $55,000 in grant money through Opportunity Appalachia to obtain concepts and cost estimates, the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC), which manages the property after council granted the group permission to do so in 2024, found itself several thousands of dollar short of the funds needed to renovate the interior.

“I would have never imagined it would cost that much, but that’s the state of the world today,” Jacoby said.

The $722,000 not only covers the work needed to restore utilities to the building, it also covers a design concept that sees the space split into two rental spaces — the eastern end with wood floors being used as cafe/coffee shop and the western end with a thick slab of concrete as a floor used as a tavern/pub. It also covers additional outside work that would maximize the parking area.

The idea is to draw as many people downtown as possible with the space and Jacoby said the main reason for Monday’s update on the depot is to make sure “the village is supportive” in the direction the EPCIC is headed.

The village seemed to be.

“I think the dual concept is a great idea,” councilman Lenny Glavan said. “I think it has the most potential and can put businesses in it that can be open early in the morning and possibly until midnight. There’s a lot of cars and traffic that come through this town.”

Jacoby said the next step is hiring an architect to further develop the vision. He hopes grant opportunities — $250,000 through Community Development Block Grant Program and another $250,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission — will cover the bulk of the needed funds, but said EPCIC would ask the village to fund the remaining balance using some of East Palestine’s $22 million settlement with Norfolk Southern.

Jacoby also said the village received proposals through its Request for Proposals (RFP) program from interested entrepreneurs hoping to eventually occupy the space — two of which are well established companies with other business locations and proven track records. But in order to move forward, complete architectural plans will be needed.

“As we do due diligence where potential tenants are concerned, we expect them to do the same toward us,” he said. “Right now, all we have are concepts and cost estimates.”

Council took the matter under advisement. After reviewing the conceptual plans and cost estimates, council will decide whether to green light advancing to hiring an architect.

Despite the key ceremony held in May, ownership of the depot has yet to transfer to the village. Council said they expect the transfer in the near future as well as coming to an agreement with the railroad concerning a 99-year land lease. The ground on which the depot sits will continue to be owned by Norfolk Southern.

selverd@mojonews.com