CALLICOON – The historic Callicoon Train Depot will soon have upgrades begin to turn the building into offices, shared community spaces and a visitor center for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (UDSB).

The Callicoon Depot Inc (CDI), Callicoon Business Association (CBA) and UDSB have been working with the firm Bade Stageberg Cox Architecture (BSC) to prepare design and construction drawings for Phase 1 of the Callicoon Depot renovation. 

Phase 1 includes the renovation of the interior of the depot, with the exception of the former freight room. Existing restrooms, the former ticket office, waiting room, and telegraph office and the hallway between the freight room and ticket office are part of the Phase 1 renovation. 

Updates will bring the electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems into code compliance and add accessibility to the building. The building will be brought to a state of good repair with design emphasis placed on the preservation of the existing materials and historic character of the depot interior.

“We’re very excited to be involved in the transformation of the Callicoon Train Depot into a new Visitor Center,” shared Jane Stageberg, principal and co-founder of BSC. “Given the building’s central location in town, the renovated space will not only serve as a welcoming place for visitors but also as a vibrant platform for a wide range of community gatherings and cultural events – making it an important asset to the life of Callicoon.”

Once renovations are complete, the depot will have prominent entrances at its north and south facades, with the south entrance being fully accessible and compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Visitor parking, including a dedicated ADA parking space, will also be provided. 

The architectural services were funded by a Sullivan 180 “Silver Feather” grant awarded to the Town of Delaware and CBA, and capital funding for the Phase 1 renovations will be provided through a grant from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). Grant requests have also been submitted to fund repairs to the exterior of the building and for the replacement of the roof and associated woodwork.

The design and construction drawings were recently submitted to the State Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO), the Town of Delaware, DASNY, and the Central New York Railroad for approval. SHPO review will focus on determining if the proposed renovation drawings comply with the conditions the agency laid out when it reviewed the provisional renovation plan as part of the DASNY grant. Design drawings will be posted on the CDI website (www.thecallicoondepot.org) once approved by the railroad, town, and state agencies.

Following sign-off from the railway, SHPO, the Town of Delaware, and DASNY, bids from contractors will be solicited to undertake the work. Construction work is anticipated to begin before the end of this year.

Additional funding is needed immediately for further environmental testing prior to construction and to address water infiltration into the basement. Donations may be mailed to CDI at the address below, or made through CDI’s Pay Pal account: /www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4486389.

Once funding is secured for replacing the roof, controlling water infiltration, and completing site work needed for ADA access, work will begin to plan and fund additional landscaping and construction of a public plaza in front of the stage (Phase 2). Phase 3 of the project will focus on renovating the former freight room.

CDI will continue to hold monthly open houses, on the last Saturday through October, to provide opportunities for local residents and visitors to see the inside of the building and learn more about the project. CDI plans to initiate a monthly Depot Market beginning this fall. The market will be held on the second Sunday of the month through December.

Please email allaboard@thecallicoondepot.org if you would like more information about the Callicoon Train Depot Visitor Center Project, or contact CDI by mail at PO Box 483, Callicoon NY 12723.