The Frankfort-Midwest Railroad Heritage Trust and the Norfolk Southern Railroad have signed an agreement regarding a non-revenue lease of the office building at the old roundhouse.
Trust Chairman Dave Little said it will gain possession of the building on Sept, 15.
“This building is their old shop,” Little said. “They moved to a new building.”
Shan Sheridan, interim executive director of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, said the acquisition allows the local group to move onto the premises to help remedy issues the city has with the property.
”We will now have a little more control over that,” Sheridan said.
The agreement was signed Thursday afternoon. Sheridan added it is another stop toward having the approximately 15-acre property completely donated to the Frankfort group.
The Frankfort-Midwest Heritage Trust was formed in 2005 to acquire the roundhouse complex from Norfolk Southern. The group had won the support of then-Frankfort mayor Don Stock.
Listed on the 10 Most Endangered Landmarks by the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, the roundhouse has been vacant since the early 1990s, according to Little.
Being able to rent the old office building is key for future operation or future restoration of the property, Little said.
“We want to start cleaning up the area, which is what the city would like to have done, and keep it from being a continual eyesore,” he said. “We’re getting cooperation from the city and we are anxious to get in there and help get this place clean.”
Norfolk Southern owns the abandoned Clover Leaf-Nickel Plate Railroad Roundhouse that was built in 1924 and its associated structures.
Environmental challenges loom from the property’s long history as an industrial site. The rare, steam-age survivor faces demolition by neglect. Steady water infiltration has claimed several of the roof trusses and speedy repair needs to occur before the building collapses.
Sheridan said the group is in the process of obtaining a grant that will a feasibility study to be conducted.
”We have a search committee that has been formed who will score those entities and then we will grant one of those firms that applied to do a feasibility study on the grounds.” Sheridan said. “That all ties together because we wanted to make sure this feasibility study was done before we even took possession or signed on the dotted line.”
Sheridan said the opportunity of securing ownership.
“It’s going to be a long process,” Little said. “It takes time to do these things.