Revisiting the history of the WL Canal

The Windsor Locks Library History Group presents:

Christopher Kervick Revisiting the History of the 

Windsor Locks Canal.

This new updated presentation will focus on recent information brought to light during Kervick's continued research regarding the Canal's Irish construction workers.

Wednesday February 29 at 7pm  Registration 860-627-1495

Parent & Community Meeting on School Budget

Please plan on attending the Parent & Community Meeting regarding the Proposed 2012-2013 School Budget and New Initiatives.

When: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Time: 6:00—7:30 p.m.
Place: HS Library Media Center

Windsor Locks Residents Move To Preserve Historic Train Station

By KIM VELSEY
The Hartford Courant
February 5, 2012

WINDSOR LOCKS —

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Built in 1875, the train station has played a vital role in local and state history. A hub of activity in the once vibrant downtown, the station was where Ella T. Grasso caught the train to her inauguration, becoming the Connecticut's first female governor.
But things have not gone so well for the little brick building in recent years. Its façade is crumbling and restoration efforts came to a halt last winter when the Windsor Locks Preservation Association disbanded.
However, things may finally be moving forward again, with the creation of a restoration subcommission. The commission met for the first time last week and discussed ways to save the station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Together with town leaders, the group brainstormed ways to raise restoration funds and build support for the station's rebirth.
Perhaps the most complicated step will be negotiating the transfer of the building, currently owned by Amtrak, to the town. But Patrick McMahon, the town's economic development consultant, said that the town is having weekly conversations with Amtrak officials regarding a deal that would convey ownership and that he is optimistic about the situation.
Once transferred, work could begin almost immediately on the building, as the town already has a $225,000 state Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant for design and research work, according to McMahon (the grant was awarded to the Preservation Association several years ago). To cover the construction costs, the town is planning to apply for a $200,000 matching-funds grant through the Connecticut Preservation Office.
Overall, the committee will likely need to raise $500,000 to $600,000 through grants or donations to repair the station, he said.
The group is considering a number of fundraising methods, including selling items decorated with an image of the station, a tip-a-cop fundraiser, applying for grants and putting a fundraising goal sign on Main Street.
They also discussed events and tools to raise the station's visibility, like creating a website with photos and videos, promoting a ride the train to work day (although travelers would need board the train at the South Main Street platform) and doing a Main Street clean-up day.
It has not yet been decided what the restored station might house, but residents and the town have said they would like to see it remain a public space, such as a Windsor Locks visitors' center, an Ella Grasso museum or a educational center for the canal state park. Although officials are working to bring the train stop back downtown, the building is not considered to be suitable for a high-speed rail station.

Historic Train Station Restoration Planning Meeting Minutes

Historic Train Station Restoration

Planning Meeting

January 31, 2012

Windsor Locks Town Hall

Minutes

1.      Background

a.     Discussions with Amtrak – Steve Wawruck and Patrick McMahon attended an Amtrak-sponsored conference in Burlington VT regarding historic train stations.  There has been weekly correspondence with Government Affairs staff at Amtrak since.  Town is seeking temporary access to the building to do appropriate studies with a goal toward acquiring the property.  Amtrak appears to be amenable to the Town acquiring the property.  Waiting on letter from Amtrak with some requirements.

b.     STEAP grant – Patrick submitted semi-annual report to DEEP outlining the recent progress with Amtrak.  Dave Stygar from DEEP contact WLPA regarding dissolution documents.  Town has $220,000 remaining which can be used for planning purposes (architectural design, structural design, survey, environmental), stabilization work and fencing.  Patrick hopes to draft an RFP in the coming weeks for design services.

c.     Relocation of Train Platform – The environmental review for the NH-Springfield line has been submitted to the Federal Rail Administration.  A public hearing on the relocation probably will not happen for another couple of months.  DOT Commissioner Redeker has commented twice at public meetings about Windsor Locks’ efforts to relocate the station back downtown.

d.     TOD Planning Grant – Town awarded a $250,000 Transit Oriented Development Grant to study the area around the historic station for mixed-use development – residential, office and retail.   Meeting occurred last week regarding the scope of the study with DOT staff.  Discussion of Bass Property and possibility of parking deck as part of project.

e.     Montgomery Mill Foreclosure – Developer declared bankruptcy and the Town is trying to protect its interest in the tax dollars due the community.  No timeframe available regarding when the bankruptcy will be resolved.

2.      Organization

a.     Steering Committee – Looking for people who are passionate about the historic train station and the revitalization of Main Street.

b.     Economic and Industrial Development Commission – the responsible commission for the STEAP and TOD grants.  Steering Committee will help inform the EIDC which in turn will make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.

c.     Meeting dates and times – Future meetings will take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m.  Due to Valentine’s Day, the next meeting will be Monday, February 13^th at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 2^nd Floor Break Room.  Meeting agendas and minutes will be posted at Town Hall.

3.      Capital Campaign

a.     Campaign Goal – Committee chose initial goal of $250,000 that would hopefully be matched by State or Federal grant sources for a total of $500,000 to work with.  State Historic Preservation Office has $200,000 matching grant program with application due in October.  Parties can send donation checks to Town Hall with Historic Train Station Restoration Project written in the memo section.  A separate account designated solely for use on the station restoration has been established.  We discussed the possibility of opening up a PayPal account to help secure donations or purchase of station novelty items.  Discussion on what logo to use for the project took place.

b.     Silent phase – Looking for the top 50 prospects of individuals, families, organizations or businesses who are likely to donate larger sums toward the effort.  These parties will be approached individually.

c.     Public Phase – After a silent phase has been completed, then a focus will shift to donations from the general public.

d.     Fundraising Events – Events can be time-consuming but also very productive.  Committee needs to look at what time of events will be most beneficial.  Kevin Brace reported a Tip-a-Cop evening is being planned for Ruby Tuesdays with the proceeds going to the station project.

e.     Items for sale (t-shirts, mugs, note cards, magnets, etc.), T&S Embroidery has the designs from the WLPA novelties that they sold.

f.      Apply for Certified Local Government Status – possible grant source

g.     Apply for Preserve America Status – possible grant source

h.     Other grants – asked attendees to do websearch for grants that might help with the project.  Apply to Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

i.      Fundraising Sign – Carl Philbrick to look into get a sign(s) made that will show progress toward the fundraising goal.

j.      Buy a Brick – Kevin Brace to look into such a program

4.      Potential Uses

Attendees were asked to think of potential uses of the train station which could include warming area/restrooms for Train Platform, Home to WL Chamber/Visitor’s Center, Ella Grasso Museum, Gift shop, Rapids Exhibit Center/Fish and Wildlife

5.      Initial Steps

a.     Website development – Denise Brown helping to establish a new website.

b.     Install National Register Plaque on the building – available from the State Historic Preservation Office

c.     Volunteer database – Any people interested in the project can send their contact info to wleidc@sbcglobal.net

d.     Photos and videos of the historic station/Main Street/Ella Grasso – Attendees asked to gather as much collateral material about the station as possible

e.     Jim Roche to get dimensions on boarded up windows and develop banners to go over them (WMG)

f.      Search e-bay and other sources for historical materials

g.     Search Flikr and other photo sources

h.     Web search of available rail-related resources

                                               i.     www.trainweb.org

                                             ii.     www.railroad.net

                                            iii.     www.railroaddata.com

i.      Review Great American Stations website for resources

j.      Plan events to raise profile of the area (take the train into work day)

k.     Get people to the Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail

l.      Main Street clean-up in the spring

m.   Get people connected to the New Haven –Springfield DOT newsletters and Twitter feed

WL FREE Tax Preparation

Winterfest 2012