Grant funds sought for depot repairs

By Staff
Leada DeVaney, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle's historic depot, home to the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, could soon get a facelift thanks to a state grant.
The city is applying for a transportation assistance grant from the Department of Transportation. The grant, which would be as much as $75,000, will be used to make needed repairs and improvements to the building, including the roof, interior ceiling and walls, bathrooms, kitchen and basement.
The city would be required to provide a 20 percent match, some $15,000, to receive the grant.
The depot has been in need of repairs for several years, mainly because of water leaks in the roof and the effects of age. Money for the projects hasn't been available, however, and the work has gone undone.
This grant could change that, according to Councilman Frank Jones.
"(The depot) has been neglected for years and it's in need of repairs,"
Jones said. "This is something of historical value and should be preserved."
If it receives the grant, the largest portion of the money will go towards repairing the roof. That cost could be as much as $15,000. Other projects would include ceiling and wall repairs, replacing the countertops in the kitchen, fixing the window shutters and broken window panes and restoring the door hardware and thresholds. Work would also be done in the depot's restrooms and patio. The grant money would also pay for painting and cleaning the building's trim, repairing the gutters and downspouts and putting sealant on the basement walls.
In addition to serving as the home of the chamber of commerce, the depot is
also available to rent for parties and meetings.