Train Depot restoration chugging along

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 19, 2014 12:31 p.m.

Larry Wolfberg of Paul Bowman Design updates TDC on depot restoration.  Gil Langley (center) and Susan Hurley (CVB Special events) look on.
Larry Wolfberg of Paul Bowman Design updates TDC on depot restoration. Gil Langley (center) and Susan Hurley (CVB Special events) look on.

Renovations and restoration of Fernandina Beach’s historic train depot at the foot of Centre Street are moving along carefully, but not quickly. Gil Langley, Executive Director of the Amelia Island Convention Visitors Bureau, updated the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (TDC) on progress at the TDC’s December 17, 2014 meeting.

Work on the building’s exterior began in spring of 2013. Langley reported that the building has been stabilized and exterior work has been completed. The task now is to complete work on the building’s interior and install exhibits to help visitors learn more about Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island. While the building is small, its restoration and retrofitting have presented many challenges caused by age of the structure, weather, and well-intentioned but misguided repairs over the building’s 115-year history.

Depot interior : views toward rear of building
Depot interior : views toward rear of building

Larry Wolfberg, representing the Paul Bowman Design firm, walked TDC members through some conceptual plans for the building interior. He explained that the building could be roughly divided into 5 different “activity zones” as shown in the drawing below:

Dividing up interior space of the train depot into 5 activity zones
Dividing up interior space of the train depot into 5 activity zones

The first zone is being designed to meet the needs of drop in visitors looking for maps and orientation. For those visitors looking for more information and perhaps a place to rest, other zones will offer additional features, such as literature racks, interactive exhibits and seating areas. Zone 5 will provide workspace for staff which can also be used as a small conference area. There are no restroom or food service facilities planned for the building.

Artist's conception of visitor's first view of interior
Artist’s conception of visitor’s first view of interior

Wolfberg reported that his firm used the decorative elements of the exterior architecture, such as roof brackets, as inspiration for the interior design. He noted the extensive use of heart pine in the interior, thanks to a generous contribution of the prized wood from local shrimper David Cook. The 8 flags of Amelia Island will hang from the ceiling, both as a reminder of the island’s history and a sound buffer.

Planned layout for building interior
Planned layout for building interior

TDC ex officio member Jack Healan thanked all the local workers and artisans who have been a part of the restoration process, from cabinet makers and electricians to architect John Cotner and builder Clayton Buchanan.

Planned workspace/conference area at rear of depot
Planned workspace/conference area at rear of depot

The visitor services in the train depot serve over 40,000 visitors each year.

The current restoration of the building is the result of a partnership between the city of Fernandina Beach (owner of the building), the Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB) (building tenant), and the Amelia Island Fernandina Restoration Foundation. Upon completion of the exterior work, the staff and functions of the CVB were temporarily relocated to the City Marina Welcome Center and Shrimping Museum, where they will remain until spring. Langley reported that the new Visitor Center in the train depot will probably have a soft opening during Shrimp Fest 2015 and a formal opening Memorial Day weekend.

 

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John P. Megna
John P. Megna (@guest_25826)
9 years ago

It would seem that the new design and work will be appreciated as a great additional to Fernandina. As a resident, I still find many things that I used this Depot for and congratulate the ones responsible for bringing this to our city. The visitors should find this very exciting and worth a visit. Job well done!