By Moses Leos III
After expending almost a million dollars over three years toward its restoration, Kyle’s historic train depot along Center Street is on the verge of completion.
With the Kyle City Council approving the third of four phases, the city and the Kyle train depot board hope to unveil the finished product as soon as May.
Reopening a part of Kyle’s storied past could be a component in the city’s drive to bolster tourism.
“You can’t look to the future without looking toward the past and where you came from,” Kyle spokesperson Jerry Hendrix said. “Paying attention to culture and heritage is important in how we move forward.”
Kyle began the third phase of the project on April 7. Kyle Council unanimously approved a $343,000 contract with SpawGlass Contractors by a 5-0 vote. The move marks the third phase SpawGlass has worked on the train depot.
The city hired the group to complete the first and second phases of the project. Those included fixing the structure, which according to train depot chairperson Kate Johnson was “in horrible condition.”
Improvements included rebuilding the foundation and refurbishing exterior elements, such as the chimney and roof. New windows were also added.
“They have done a fantastic job on the exterior,” Johnson said. “Now we are focused on the interior of the building.”
According to Hendrix, the third phase of the four-phase remodel will be “pretty extensive.”
Kyle plans to have SpawGlass return the interior close to its original state. It was one reason why the city added a budget amendment of $9,500 to the third phase for lighting that was “representative of the original lighting for the depot.”
Using wood from longleaf pine trees and other original materials that were a part of the original depot is planned.
While it was more expensive in the long run, Johnson said it was “well worth it.”
“We wanted to keep the original integrity of the [depot],” Johnson said. “This is going to be a perfect building.”
Restoring Kyle’s train depot was first conceptualized when the depot moved back to downtown Kyle in 2003.
To date, the Kyle train depot board collected more than $1 million for the restoration; roughly $650,000 of that stemming from donations. Included is a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The city contributed $250,000 in dedicated Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. The city recently appropriated $125,000 to the restoration.
Following the completion of the third phase, roughly $1.8 million will have gone toward restoring the structure.
A fourth phase is planned, but according to Johnson, it has not been contracted out. The phase would involve installing fencing and moving the caboose closer to the depot itself.
Ultimately, turning the depot into a visitor’s center and museum is the goal.
Hendrix said the Kyle train depot board has focused on using the depot in documenting the city’s longstanding history with the railroad.
For Johnson, the ability for Kyle to connect with its past is a critical component in preparing for the future.
With the iconic nature of the building, Johnson believes the depot can be a draw for people interested in learning about the city’s history.
“I think a lot of people can stop by and learn about the history of Kyle and why Kyle is there,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to be a great success.”
