January 29, 2008

Historic Statesville Depot up for sale

The Statesville Depot sits across the tracks from its original home. Donations paid for the building to be moved and restored. The Statesville Depot sits across the tracks from its original home. Donations paid for the building to be moved and restored. Bruce Matlock photo.

By Jim McNally

It was perhaps the largest preservation effort in Statesville’s history. Its relocation covered the distance of about two football fields and took more than six months. And it ranks among the most recognizable of the city’s historic landmarks.

Now, the fabled Statesville Depot is up for sale.

On Monday, the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation, the Depot’s primary tenant and overseer, announced plans to sell the 97-year-old former train station so the DSDC can move its headquarters downtown.

“It’s really in DSDC’s best interest to be at the center of the tax district that supports us,” said Bob Dooley, chairman of the group’s board of directors.

Dooley said the planning for the sale has been in the works for about a year. He said DSDC sent letters to many nonprofit groups and various government entities several months ago hoping to find a buyer.

Dooley and DSDC Executive Director Marin Tomlin said the preservation of the Depot has detracted from the organization’s mission.

“As a historic structure, the Depot is in a constant state of maintenance and repair to retain its restored condition,” said Dooley.

Funding for the building’s upkeep, he said, is not part of the DSDC budget.

“Nor should it be,” he explained, “as our budget is very limited and is not designated to maintain a historic structure.”

George Mennen, a broker with Lake Norman Realty, is heading up the sale of the 3,720-square-foot building, which includes about an acre of land.

Mennen said he believes the Depot “really lends itself to office space.” But it could also attract other types of buyers.

“For example, it would be a good place for a train hobbyist or enthusiast to have a business.”

Mennen said his company planned to plug the Depot all across the nation and even overseas.

“Our reach is going to be vast in marketing this,” he said.

DSDC officials even suggested it could again serve as it was intended.

“Imagine that,” said Tomlin, “the Depot as a depot.”

The Depot dates back to the halcyon days of train travel in 1911. Cars were still considered an extravagance and commercial flying was barely conceivable. Indeed, that very year, Orville Wright set a sustained air flight record of 9 minutes and 45 seconds.

In 1993, Norfolk Southern Railroad decided to raze the building but gave preservationists enough time to move it if they could.

A year later, Fred Gene Davis of Davis Oil said he would donate the land about 500 feet south of where the building stood for 83 years and group called “Save the Depot” was formed to raise the money to haul it to the new site.

Artist prints of the building and T-shirts were among the items sold during fundraisers.

In March 1995, after $285,000 was spent on the move and restoration, the building held its grand opening at the place it now sits.

The DSDC was involved with saving and then buying the Depot.

However, the current title bears the name of Historic Statesville, a nonprofit group from whom the DSDC officially rents its space.

Tomlin said there is about $160,000 left on the mortgage to the property. The asking price is $385,000.

Inquiries about purchasing the Depot should be made to Sally Parker with Lake Norman Realty at (704) 880-6757. Interested parties may also visit the company’s Web site at http://www.lakenormanrealty.com