Historic Depot ready for facelift

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle is spending some $90,000 to renovate its historic railroad depot.
Hartselle's City Council recently approved a low bid of $90,618 from E Tech Construction LLC of Hartselle to complete the Depot work.
Much of the funding for the project is coming from state grant funds. The city received a state grant providing for 66 percent of the bid price to complete the project.
The Depot, home to the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, will receive numerous upgrades and repairs, including roof repairs, paint on the exterior and all but the offices of the interior part of the building and replacement of the bathroom fixtures.
The money will also pay for a new kitchen countertop, repairs to outside boards and gutters and drainage work in the basement. A new railing will also be installed in the front of the building and the handicap ramp in the front will be re-sloped.
Inside plaster, much of which has been damaged by water coming in through roof leaks, will also be restores.
Susan Hines, president of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, said additional work will be done through funds the chamber has saved for repairs.
"We've been very, very frugal around here," Hines said.
Hines said some of the extra money will go towards repairs on the gazebo that was recently damaged by vandals. After that work is done, Hines said she plans on replacing the flooring in the Depot's main room.