Johnson City leaders could help transform the city's historic train depot, but first they have to front the Johnson City Development Authority $369,900. The JCDA will continue its efforts to salvage the vacant depot along State of Franklin Road by requesting a loan from the city at Thursday night’s City Commission meeting.
The group has already applied for a $200,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, but to receive those dollars, the JCDA needs to own the depot by March. According to JCDA Executive Director Suzanne Kuehn, the only way to do that is to borrow money from the city.
"We need to start immediately to stabilize the building, to get a roof on it, to stop any more decay so that we can actually bring it back to life for multiple purposes,” Kuehn said.
Those purposes would include a railroad history museum, bike rental shop, recreational trailhead, restaurant and much more, according to Kuehn.
“We have space for 23 new vendors, so we’ll create a business incubator, year-round farmer’s market items, craft items,” Kuehn said.
The JCDA would pay back the loan with tax increment financing dollars it expects to collect in April or May. However, city leaders are not completely sold on the project.
“We’ve got questions, so we’ll have to get those questions answered,” Mayor Jane Myron said. “My questions are, ‘If you get it, how much do you anticipate it costing for the renovation, is it possible, where do you anticipate getting that money, how long is it going to take?’”
Kuehn says she’s ready to answer those questions at tonight’s meeting.
“It can be done,” Kuehn said.
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