Story and Photos 

by Fred Stabbert III

CALLICOON – “There’s a heart to this community,” Callicoon Depot Inc. (CDI)President Darko Hreljanovic told the nearly two dozen residents who showed up to listen to an hour-long presentation on the progress of the Callicoon Train Depot restoration project.

The Town Hall meeting was held last Tuesday at the Delaware Community Center in Callicoon as a panel of presenters updated the community on the progress of the Phase 1 project to restore the 128-year-old building.

“We had 11 responses to our RFP [for architectural work],” Hreljanovic said. “From there three firms were short-listed and we picked one, Bade Stageberg Cox Architecture of Livingston Manor and Brooklyn.”

Hreljanovic said that 50 percent of the drawings were already done with “100 percent due by May 31.”

In the next three to six months, the CDI will be soliciting contractors to start the work and awarding bids.

Hreljanovic said that Phase 1 will include changing the doors on the depot to meet code, making the depot a “two-sided building, with entries on either side,” and providing two public bathrooms.

By the end of the year, the CDI hopes to have Phase 1 construction complete, Hreljanovic said.

Plans for the restored Train Depot include a visitors center, which will be run by the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, and playing host to cultural activities.

The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway visitors center was originally funded by a $250,000 grant which was secured by former New York State Senator John Bonacic more than a decade ago specially for the capital project, according to Laurie Ramie.

The grant is now being administered by DASNY – the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

Design work for the project is being funded through a Sullivan Renaissance $75,000 Silver Feather award, which was presented several years ago and has nearly half of the money still available.

Questions and Concerns

Noting that the Callicoon Train Depot roof now has a black tarp over half of it, Western Hotel owner Irene Nickolai asked the panel, “Where are we with the roof and how much money is needed [to repair it]?”

CDI President Hreljanovic said, “Phase 1 used to have a roof in it but it went way over budget.”

He estimated the repair would cost between $70,000 and $80,000.

“We had three solicitations to fix it,” he said. “We decided to address the severe concentration of water in the roof over the freight room.

“We put temporary tarps on the roof to control the water,” he said. “The tarp is a stop-gap measure.”

Ramie said, “Maybe we can start a fundraising campaign around the roof specifically.”

“Our community is committed to this project,” Dreljanovic said. “Many people have asked how they can get involved. They can take ownership of the project by volunteering or donating. This is the hamlet of Callicoon’s building.”

Nickolai said she would be available to do the fundraising for the new roof.

Callicoon resident John Erik Karkula asked if modern technology, such as “splitters” were going to be used in the Train Depot.

“We are looking at many mechanical systems,” Hreljanovic said. “The splitters would provide both heating and cooling while a hot air system would mean the installation of ducts.

“The advocates want the depot to be an exemplar of sustainability, protecting the environment,” Hreljanovic said. “We want to celebrate and advocate sustainability.”

Hreljanovic also noted that splitters can be hidden from view.

Other news

Hreljanovic noted that once Phase 1 is complete additional funding will be sought to create a garden space around the depot.

“The property is private,” he said. “There will also be no parking, we are phasing it out slowly.”

It was also noted that one CDI board member, Randy Bushart, is a railroad historian, and several artifacts have already been placed in the building to celebrate its heritage as a passenger and freight station.