Lula city officials unveiled the completed phase one restoration of the depot in downtown Lula with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning.
The depot was built and donated by a community group to the city of Lula with the notion the city would use the structure as a community space for events, which is exactly how the space is intended to be used, Lula Mayor Jim Grier said.
The building is not deemed a historic structure since it was built in the 1980s, but it did need some updates as the focal point of the downtown area.
“The remodel is actually to increase the utility of the building and make sure we had the features that the people need today to enjoy community events,” Grier said.
The restoration project was split into a two-phase process. Phase one was the renovation of the building, while phase two will include restoration of a stage on site that will provide additional seating, handicap accessibility, additional parking and landscaping.
“The council decided to budget two phases over two fiscal years and that way the fiscal year budget is not over-burdened in any one year,” Grier said.
The total cost of phase one was budgeted at $250,000. The city cut costs with donations and volunteer labor. The city’s contractors donated cabinetry, installation and sod to the project, but many people donated their time and labor, Grier said.
Phase two is budgeted at $178,000 and is next on the list to complete.
The city will host an open house at the depot on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Depot is located at 5911 Wall Street in the heart of Downtown Lula at the Athens Street Crossing of the Norfolk Southern Railway.
