September 24, 2008

HistoricVienna.com May Cry, Too. Comments (7)

Everything in this town is an utter mess and these people want to cry over a train station?!

Vienna Looks For Federal Dollars to Refurbish Depot by BRIAN TROMPETER, Staff Writer (Created: Friday, September 19, 2008 9:55 AM EDT)

Vienna officials soon may apply for a grant to renovate the Vienna Train Station, which dates from the mid-1800s. (Photo by Brian Trompeter)
Vienna officials soon may apply jointly with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority for a federal grant to refurbish the town's historic train station.

Restoring the station's interior and exterior likely would cost about $300,000, Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Salgado told the Vienna Town Council at a Sept. 15 work session.

The grant would be financed from transportation-enhancement program funds administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Federal money would cover 80 percent of the expense, while Vienna and the Park Authority would match 10 percent each.

Grant applications are scored according to VDOT criteria and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Applicants must demonstrate a need for their proposed projects, show any potential educational or historical value to their communities, and list resources available for project completion.

The Town Council would have to approve the grant proposal at a regular meeting. Nov. 1 is deadline for the grant application.

Vienna might be able to use capital-improvement moneys for the project, if the grant is approved, Salgado said.

The station is located at Dominion Road and Ayr Hill Avenue, N.E., on the Park Authority's Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park right-of-way. The structure, which dates from the mid-1800s, hasn't handled train traffic since 1968.

The train station would be eligible for the grant because of its past association with transportation, Salgado said.

The station's electrical system has not been upgraded for 50 to 60 years, Salgado said. The building's waiting area would be restored but not its other room, which is home to a massive HO-scale train layout operated by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, she said.

The railroad club opens its display to the public for free on 10 Saturdays per year. The next open house is on Oct. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Vienna Mayor M. Jane Seeman said restoring the station long has been a goal of hers.

“For years, we've been trying to get the Park Authority to put money into it,” she said. “When you see the [refurbished train station] at Purcellville, you just want to cry.”

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