Renovations coming soon for CC&O Railroad Depot

Posted by Rainey

Published January 5, 2013 By Madison Mathews – Press Staff Writer

The 104-year-old Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railroad Depot built by railroad tycoon George L. Carter in 1909 is finally showing signs that renovation is near. Despite the structure’s age and the substantial roof work that needs to be done, the depot is in relatively good condition, according to co-developer Greg Cox. “Everybody talks about how it’s falling down. It’s really not falling down. They built it to last,” he said. Outside the depot, local company Rainey Contracting has set up a trailer and a temporary orange work fence around the historic property, and plans are being finalized to be presented at the end of the month to Johnson City’s Historic Zoning Commission. Once the Historic Zoning Commission signs off on the plans, Cox said they can begin pulling permits and the renovation project should begin in early February. The historic depot will be the home of Asheville, N.C.-based Tupelo Honey Cafe, which announced in July its intention to open its fourth location by fall 2013. Sevierville attorney Joe Baker purchased the historic landmark from the Johnson City Development Authority — who bought the property in 2010 for $150,000 from a real estate company that repossessed it — in July for $5,000 in order to open a brewery and locally-themed restaurant. Cox said he expects the renovation of the depot to take about six to eight months to complete before its turned over to the Tupelo Honey design team. “We’ll work on the shell and then Tupelo will follow along with whatever they’re going to do on the inside,” Cox said. Rainey Contracting will be doing the renovation of the building, with Uwe Rothe serving as architect. Read more: http://johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=104055#ixzz2JzmpQMYf

Rainey Contracting - Feb 5, 2013 | News and Press