BUDA — Various city of Buda entities met Jan. 15 to discuss the future of the historic train depot, which was recently returned to the city.
Before Buda was Buda, travelers on the International-Great Northern Railroad utilized a train depot in what is now the town’s center. The depot’s establishment drove the city’s population growth, but fell out of operation in 1961 and was removed in the 1980s. Last November, the historic building returned to downtown Buda, with restoration to follow.
Buda City Council held a special joint meeting with the Historic Preservation Commission, Main Street Advisory Board, Parks & Recreation Board and Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to review draft proposals to restore the depot and build out the surrounding area. Members of each board gave feedback on the drafts, taking the city’s best economic and environmental interests into consideration.
City manager Micah Grau opened the meeting, welcoming the body and detailing the project: “As you know, this has been fast moving. We were initially approached by the property owners a little over a year ago.”
According to a news release from the city last November, the Bryant family previously took care of the depot, but with the family now selling its property, the depot was at risk of being sold or destroyed. The family therefore decided to donate the property back to the city.
“This is a once-in-a-generation project and that’s why we’re all here… to make sure we’re all aligned in our shared vision of what the depot can be,” said Grau.
The project will be funded by the EDC, whose members were present at the special meeting. Given the set budget, Grau clarified that the board members present could give input on how the space around the depot is built, but that the building would not be moved again, due to the cost of relocation.
Representatives Chris Davis from Logic Builders and Luma Jaffar from the Lawrence Group, who collaborated on project design, then brought two draft proposals to the special joint meeting. The drafts shared key similarities, while differentiating on design specifics.
Site Concept A would incorporate 1,200 additional feet of lawn space than Site Concept B, allowing for more standing room and picnic space. Another key difference between the two plans regards the location of the gazebo. Concept A moves the structure off site and includes trees, while concept B rebuilds the gazebo on the event lawn. Jaffar noted that more tree coverage could block the view of the space from the street.
However, several board members argued for more flora and less concrete on the site.
“Anywhere we can extend our green space — that is our ultimate goal,” said Monica Mills, who has served on the Main Street Advisory Board since 2007.
She pointed to the heat absorption of concrete and preservation of critters, such as monarchs and bees, as driving factors for greenery.
Regarding other environmental factors, Jaffar ensured that lighting on the property would comply with Buda’s designation as an International Dark Sky Community, which requires the city to limit light pollution and energy consumption. Both site concepts also indicated an easement of 50 feet around a nearby well. This prevents water contamination in compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Both concepts include a fence running behind the property, which some board members shared concerns about. Susan Guerra of the Main Street Advisory Board noted, “We don’t have fencing anywhere else on Main Street.”
Mayor Lee Urbanowsky acknowledged the singularity, but pointed to the proximity of a rail line to the depot.
“We’re encouraging people to congregate here. With the trains coming, it could get dangerous without a fence,” he said.
John H. Foster from the Historic Preservation Commission brought the 24 parking spaces included on site in both plans into question, stating this would “reduce use size significantly.”
Council member Monica Davidson replied, “Without parking here, it doesn’t work.” In a survey conducted by the city, “adding parking downtown came across very strongly,” as spots on Main Street are already limited.
At the end of the meeting, council member Evan Ture reaffirmed the council’s eagerness to restore the historic depot: “We are here in Buda because of that train depot and it’s really exciting.”
Going forward, the Lawrence Group and Logic Builders will take the favorable aspects of each site plan and bring an amended site concept to the city council for approval.
