The Orlando Amtrak Station in Downtown South is getting a multi-million dollar restoration.
The station is located at 1400 Sligh Blvd [GMap].
Today, Mayor Buddy Dyer along with City Commissioner Patty Sheehan kicked off the the Orlando Amtrak Station Restoration Project by removing one of the historic windows that will be refurbished at reinstalled as part of the project.
The station was built in 1926 as the Atlantic Coast Line Passenger Depot. It received landmark status in 1978.
The Spanish-Mission Revival style building, designed by architect M.A. Griffith, attracted over 6,000 people to the dedication.
Currently the station provides rail service to approximately 160,500 passengers a year.
The project focuses on restoring the exterior of the building and making some architectural changes restore the original façade.
The project includes the following changes:
- Remove all existing wood windows, strip, restore, repaint and reinstall
- Repair roof of arcade
- Remove metal ceiling panels in arcade and restore to original wood bead board ceilings
- Restore original wood doors
- Repair stucco walls and repaint
- Address any structural problems
- Replace a/c and relocate unit to the roof
- Reopen the side of the building as a pedestrian entrance (it was the original entrance)
- Upgrade to meet ADA requirements; install handicap ramp
No funding has been set aside for any interior improvements, but the project planners did discuss a desire to eventually restore the inside of the building.
As a separate project the City has plans to make improvements to Sligh Blvd to add a bus lane and make it more pedestrian friendly.
The design and construction costs of the Amtrak restoration project is being funded the Florida Department of Transportation.
The project is scheduled to be completed in fall of 2015.
Here’s a look at the current state of the station and the elevations that show the exiting facade and the changes (click for larger image):
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