Rouses Point train station getting face lift

By Cassandra Morrissey
Money is tight everywhere. The current economy is leaving both small businesses and private investors struggling to find cash anywhere possible. Businesses are closing their doors to prevent bankruptcy, construction is being put on hold because there’s minimal funding, and towns are prioritizing projects to help save money. Although the number of construction jobs fell more then 10 percent across the country last year, the village of Rouses Point has a unique structure that is creating both jobs and town appeal.
The Rouse Point train station is about to get a face lift. The station, which was originally built in 1889 by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, currently serves as a stop for passengers travelling from Montreal to New York. The station was originally scheduled to be torn down in the mid 1990’s, but was eventually bought by the village of Rouses Point, with high hopes of fixing the building. Melissa McManus, Rouses Point revitalization and project manger noticed the uneasiness of the town concerning the station.
“It was so frustrating for us to watch that building slowly fall apart. We all knew that we wanted to do something to preserve the station and history, but we knew the first thing we needed was money,” McManus said.
Although, as with many town projects, money was initially hard to come by. The majority of repairs to the building consisted of replacing the roof and support structure would cost between 100-150 thousand dollars.
“The historical society tried for several years to get money. We did everything we could think of; fundraising, applying to the state, and nothing was working,” McManus said.
This situation changed beginning of 2009. Rouses Point received over 830 thousand dollars in grant money for the train station. The main source of the money came from the Transportation Enhancement Program and the American Relief and Recovery Act.
The transportation program currently is helping communities with the cost of transportation projects. Projects range from bike trails to sidewalks. The American Relief and Recovery Act is an economic stimulus package to help promote building, infrastructure, and domestic spending.
With the new grant money, the village has many options for the future usage of the train station. Rouses Point village historian Donna Racine hopes the historic aspect is the main factor of the revitalized building.
“It’s going to hopefully be geared towards a museum, with village archives and artifacts. So many people’s lives involved a part of the station, and that part should be preserved,” Racine said.
Courtney Demarasis is also from the area, and the station has always been a part of her life.
“I remember when I was young; I always walked by the station. The fact they are fixing it up will help the area and community’s morale,” Demarasis said.
Racine and Demarasis are not the only Rouses Point natives with high hopes for the future of the station. Benjamin Arno, a line man who has lived in the area since 1953 grew up with the station.
“The train station is a symbol of Rouses Point, and it brings back memories for so many people. When it gets fixed up, whatever they end up doing with it, it will be really nice,” Arno said.
Not only will the train station project bring back memories for people, its bringing jobs and money to the village. According to McManus, the project will create construction and engineering jobs, bring in design firms, and allow local people to have a hand in volunteering towards the end product. The station, which Amtrak currently runs through, will also encourage more tourists to visit the area.
Rouses Point Mayor George Rivers thinks one of the best parts of the finished station will be the effect it has on the village.
“When people come to Rouses Point, they see a station that’s slowly deteriorating. But this project will completely change that. People will see a beautiful building, and want to come back and spend time here. It’s a win-win situation for the village,” Rivers said.
A recent village meeting featured the next steps the town is taking in the stations revitalization process. Although construction on the building is not expected to begin until 2011, one main thought was present throughout the meeting; excitement.
“This is a beautiful building, and it’s going to be saved. Instead of sitting and deteriorating, it will be the center for the history of the village, a place where families and visitors can go. I can’t wait,” McManus said.