Historic preservation and adaptive reuse of a former train depot
Blair, NE
- Parks
- Reuse
Railroad ties were integrated into the pathways to highlight the Depot’s history
Blair Depot in use in its original location in 1910
Historical photos courtesy of the Blair Historical Society
Blair Depot relocated to Lions Park in 2003. Photo by Calabretto Group
Site detail
01
about the project
The City of Blair decided to historically preserve the Blair Depot and reuse it in the Lions Park. Museum items would be displayed and have a gathering room for open space and meetings as well as a large door for connection to a deck for small plays and band concerts.
The deck acts as the railroad platform for a train depot station surrounding the building. A gathering patio space will provide for other outdoor activities as well as a community trail head as the local trail now starts at this park and connects to the Omaha metro trails.
New pedestrian lighting, benches, kiosks, and park signage were installed along with new depot refinements. The project was funded through grant writing and fundraising, presenting challenges throughout the process as the finished project was realized.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Location | Blair, NE |
| Size | 43 acres |
| Status | Phase 1 Completed 2003 |
| Further phases are ongoing | |
| Disciplines | |
| Parks | |
| Reuse | |
| Contact | |
| Craig Larson | |
| craig@craiglarsonla.com | |
| Partners/Collaborators | |
| Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture | |
| Larson Engineering, Inc. | |
| Morrissey Engineering, Inc. | |
| *Work performed while at Ollson Associates | |
