Amherst County

1. Amherst County Train Depot Project

2. Table of Contents I. Brief History of the Amherst Train Depot II. Train Stations in Virginia III. Local Actions regarding Amherst Train Depot IV. Current Cost Expenses and Summary V. Relevant Questions VI. Summary

3. Train Depot -Brief History 1913 – Station constructed by Southern Railway 1920’s – Station remodeled with freight room 1940’s – Three passenger trains per day 1960’s Passenger service discontinues 1970’s Freight service discontinues, building stands empty

4. Train Depot -Brief History 1982 – Norfolk Southern forms 1985 – Mr. Marshall Mays purchases station 2000 – VDOT plans straightening of Depot Street 2001 – Feasibility Study performed by DGP Architects 2008 – Station stabilized and relocated by CL Lewis

5. Amherst Train Depot Potential Uses for the Depot have been: - Office space for Chamber of Commerce -Office space for Economic Development -Office space for Tourism/Visitor Center Picture of Amherst County Train Depot

6. Train Depot Projects in Virginia Farmville, Virginia Dublin, Virginia • Owned by the Town of Farmville • Used for rental for public or private meeting space • No office space is available • Privately owned • Pulaski Farm Bureau sold to an individual and is now used for professional office space.

7. Train Depot Projects in Virginia Pulaski, Virginia Purcellville, Virginia • Owned by the Town of Pulaski • Used for bicycle rental and public and private meeting space • Previously used for Chamber of Commerce office • Owned by the Purcellville Preservation Association • Restrooms for trail users • Meeting space with available kitchen • Water fountain and benches for pedestrians

8. Notable Local Actions Taken January 15, 2002 – BOS adopted a resolution requesting the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish the Project, agreeing to pay a minimum of 20 percent of total cost of project. December 2, 2003 – BOS adopted resolution agreeing to serve as Project sponsor. February 3, 2004 – County BOS passed motion authorizing the County Administrator to develop a design service agreement with Dalgliesh, Eichman, Gilpin & Paxton for the next phase of the project.

9. Notable Local Actions Taken April 6, 2004 – Motion by the BOS, for a member to serve as a liason on the “Friends of the Amherst Station Foundation”. Mr. Vandall was appointed as the member. March 3, 2005 – Contract between Friends and DEGP Architect for a Relocation and Adaptive Reuse of the Historic Amherst Train Station Project; contract specifically mentions Amherst County as the Project Fiscal Agent. October 17, 2006 – BOS adopts resolution, agrees that: “if the County of Amherst subsequently elects to cancel this project, the County of Amherst hereby agrees to reimburse the Virginia Department of Transportation for the total amount of costs expended by the Department through the date the department is notified of such cancellation”.

10. Notable Local Actions Taken January 23, 2008 – Train Depot was moved from its original location to its current location. December 6, 2011 – Letter to Garrett Rouzer from David Proffitt that has attached the signed agreement for the site plan development for the Amherst Depot Project to proceed with work.

11. Notable Local Actions Taken October 29, 2012 – Letter from Clarence Monday to H.W. Chenault, VDOT, regarding future funding. November 19, 2012 – Letter from H.W. Chenault, VDOT, points out that “preservation and rehabilitation of historic depots is still an eligible Transportation Alternatives (TA) activity…”

12. Current Costs and Expenses

13. Relevant Questions Questions Response What can be counted towards the County match? What is the assessed value of the building and land? What is the cost and purpose of the stormwater system? The value of the property contributed toward the project, and value of labor and services. $58,000 (.813 Acres-Land) / $9,400 Building (Appraised Value 6/28/06) / $132,321 Cost of Land purchased from Mays Family Stormwater management is required by the State of Virginia. The system includes a retention pond, which will be converted to a bio-filtration system. This also includes several drop inlets, associated piping and erosion and sediment control measures.

14. Summary January 15, 2002 - County approved a Resolution requesting the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish the Project, agreeing to play a minimum of 20 percent of the total cost of the project. Phase I – Completed the relocation and stabilization of building. Phase II – Waiting on VDOT site plan approval, potential shortfall of funding. Phase III – Grant funding needed to complete project.

15. Summary County will need to determine the proposed use of the building. Grant must be submitted by February 1, 2013 for Phase III. Grants by the CTB typically are awarded in the Summer after the grant is submitted in February.

16. Summary County must secure approximately $863,189 of funds to complete the project (includes shortfall from Phase II). The estimated projected amount of total funds that the County will be responsible for is $336,897 dollars (includes expenses from Phase I). The estimated local cost to finish the project (Phase II & Phase III is $285,770. September 20, 2011, the BOS appropriated $95,000, therefore, the estimated balance remaining to be appropriated of local money is $190,770. The estimated payback to VDOT if the County ceases the project today is $510,113.