EAST PALESTINE — The former train depot on West Taggart Street will become a new taproom and restaurant.

Village council moved forward with legislation recently pertaining to the new venture that involves a public-private partnership with the Black Diamond Companies for a new brewery and distillery concept.

Black Diamond Companies is a hospitality-driven redevelopment firm focused on restoring and repurposing historic properties throughout Ohio.

“East Palestine represents everything we look for in a community–strong local pride, momentum, and an appreciation for quality,” spokesperson Michelle Robinson said in a joint press release announcing the new business.

“We are excited to bring the Black Diamond experience to East Palestine and deliver the same level of craftsmanship, hospitality, and culinary excellence that our guests have come to expect,” she said.

The company was founded as a historic redevelopment company focused on revitalizing companies throughout Southeast Ohio and has now grown into a diversified hospitality group, according to the press release.

East Palestine Council last week passed a second reading of legislation pertaining to a Community Reinvestment Agreement (CRA) for the train depot project, and also a resolution assigning the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation (EPCIC) as agent of the building.

The building is currently owned by EPCIC and Black Diamond began discussions with the non-profit about use of the building a year ago.

Per the CRA, the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation will receive a 75 percent tax abatement over a period of 15 years for improvements only to the building.

The exterior of the train depot building was remodeled two years ago but the inside has yet to be touched, EPCIC President Barb Herriot said.

“It needs a lot of love,” she said.

The Black Diamond Company has signed a five-year lease with EPCIC to operate the new taproom and restaurant there.

In the meantime, the depot renovations will be put out for bid within weeks.

“Transforming a historic depot into a modern restaurant is no small task–especially when you’re working to integrate today’s utilities into a building that predates them–but that challenge makes this milestone all the more meaningful,” East Palestine Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy said.

Guy added that the project has support from the Columbiana County Commissioners and Columbiana County Port Authority, and that the county agencies and EPCIC were “instrumental” in securing funding and guiding the process.

“We’ve been able to move this project forward the right way,” he said.

With a growing portfolio of steakhouses, taprooms, and production facilities, the company combines culinary excellence, craft beverage innovation, and Appalachian heritage to create destination experiences across the region, the company stated.

“The fact that Black Diamond takes pride in honoring the history of the communities they do business in and recognizes the importance of our revitalization makes them a perfect partner for the EPCIC. We look forward to seeing new life in the Freight Depot and having the excitement that Black Diamond will bring to downtown East Palestine. Thank you for believing in this village. We can’t wait for you to be a member of our community,” Barb Herriot said.