Politics & Government

Windsor Locks' Acquisition of Historic Train Station Moving Closer

The Town of Windsor Locks and Amtrak have both signed letters of intent, officials said.

 


The town of Windsor Locks is closer to acquiring the historic train station on Main Street.

First Selectman Steven N. Wawruck Jr. said the town has sent a letter of intent to Amtrak about acquiring the station. Wawruck said the letter doesn’t commit the town to any money.

Patrick McMahon, the town’s economic development consultant, told the board of selectmen Tuesday Amtrak also sent a letter of intent to sell the building and its footprint.

In Amtrak’s letter to the town, the corporation listed three conditions for the agreement for the sale to take place. One is Amtrak checking with the State of Connecticut to see if it has any interest in purchasing it;  Amtrak will have an appraisal done of the station; and three, Amtrak does its own internal engineering, operational and management review.

McMahon said negotiations will begin after the appraisal. An appraisal paid for by the now-defunct Windsor Locks Preservation Association valued the building at $45,000. McMahon said the economy and further deterioration of the building has likely lowered the value from that.

“It’s an iconic site for the community,” McMahon said. “So many people have fond memories of jumping on the train there, memories of people going off to conflict _ and hopefully returning.”

 The sale would be done through a quit claim deed and the building would be purchased “as is.” Amtrak also requires that no environmental testing be done.

“Whatever condition it is in, we understand we’re taking that over,” McMahon said.

The town has a $225,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant which can be used to pay for design work to restore the property. The town has chosen Cross Key Architects of Hartford to do the design work, McMahon said.

“The ball is now in Amtrak’s court,”McMahon said. “We’re going to keep pressing them.”

The restoration could cost about $500,000 and officials are looking for donations from residents and businesses, as well as other revenue sources to fund the project, McMahon said.

“If we don’t go forward with the restoration of the building within the next two years, we’re looking at losing the building,” McMahon said.

Town officials are also working on the moving of the commuter train platform back to the Route 140 and Main Street area.  McMahon said during public hearings there was a tremendous positive response to the idea.

Windsor Locks has received a $250,000 state grant to cover the costs associated with the continued study of the relocation. The grant is part of the Transit Orientated Development Funding. Consultant Fuss & O’Neill has been hired to do an analysis of how the area could be developed around the train platform being moved there.

Town officials hope to create a steering committee of local property owners, businesses, town officials and state officials to help determine what kind of development happens, McMahon said.

Officials said a number of developers have expressed an interest in the area depending on the moving of the platform.

“The number of calls has definitely increased,” Town Planning Coordinator Jennifer Rodriguez said.

McMahon said the state Department of Transportation has said it needs funding to extend a second rail north to Windsor Locks and beyond before it can move the platform. The state has no funds to do that and is trying secure federal funds for the project, he said.

McMahon said the town is going to send a letter to DOT Commissioner James Redeker asking for the state to make a decision about relocating the platform. They hope to hear back in the next few weeks.

Wawruck said he is happy about the progress the town is seeing now. He said he has been working the past five years on both projects to get them moving forward.

“These are very exciting times to be a resident of Windsor Locks,” Wawruck said.



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