Christian County historian William Turner and well-known community member Margaret McDonald who has served on several local boards, asked Hopkinsville City Council Tuesday night, to help save the historic train depot on East 9th Street.
During public comments, Turner urged the city council to work with them to help save the iconic train depot that has been at the center of Hopkinsville for more than 8 decades.
He reminded the council the depot is a significant, unique, and unusual building not only in this community but anywhere else. He then asked the council to join them in the effort to save the building.
Margaret McDonald gave a brief history of the train depot and said in August the CSX agreed to amend the Deed to state a commercial enterprise could occupy the building, which she noted was a huge step.
She added that it was her understanding CSX Corporation has offered $100,000 per street to close four side streets that are not heavily traveled due to maintenance and safety problems. She said that money could go toward renovating the train depot.
McDonald also had several other suggestions including using tax credits to renovate the building and utilizing the depot facility as part of a bike trail or commercial business that would create local jobs.
She concluded by stating they wanted to make these points and suggestions in hopes the city council would help them preserve the historic building.
Following the comments, the city council unanimously approved the operational and capital budget amendments on second reading, and an amendment to the employee classification and compensation plan to include stipends for employees with the Hopkinsville Police Department and Hopkinsville Fire/ EMS.
