Renovations planned for old Montco rail station

NORRISTOWN Montgomery County is planning a $406,000 renovation of an old rail freight station to serve as a hub of two regional recreation trails.

The long-vacant station at Lafayette and DeKalb Streets in Norristown would serve as the trailhead for the Schuylkill Valley Trail and a stop on the Chester Valley Trail where visitors could find water, bathrooms, and possibly food or entertainment.

Although it sits 100 feet from the Norristown Transportation Center parking garage and straddles the heavily-trafficked gateway between Bridgeport and Norristown, the brown concrete-and-brick freight station is easily overlooked.

But it does have historic value, county Planning Director Jody Holton said. It was built in 1938 and for many years served as a stop on the Schuylkill Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

"It has those large overhead doors that roll up, and we think in the summertime there can be outdoor seating. People can relax outside, and it will be minimal maintenance for us," Holton said.

Renovations would include a new roof and masonry, storm water management upgrades, modern windows and utilities. The county hopes to obtain a LEED energy-efficiency certification for the building, Holton said.

Once the retrofit is complete, the county may seek to rent out part of the space to a vendor for food or other amenities, Holton said.

Source: Philly.com