HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The City of Huntsville has taken operational control of the city's historic rail depot after decades of being run by EarlyWorks Museums controlling the site.
While the grounds are open to the public, the museum has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. EarlyWorks' interim executive director, Beth Goodwin, said, "There was dwindling attendance for school field trips even before COVID. But once COVID hit, we had no choice but to close the depot."
Goodwin said the decision to relinquish control of the depot came in part due to the costs of continued maintenance.
"It is a 200-plus year old building," she said. "It requires a lot more than than it does to take care of newer buildings."
But residents shouldn't be quick to worry about the future of the site. The City of Huntsville is planning to learn from the public what they want to see happen with the depot.
City Administrator John Hamilton tells FOX54 the first step is for them to perform a survey of the facilities and make any changes or fixes where necessary.
"The next step is starting out a planning process in collaboration with the community to talk about what those future uses might be for both the buildings and the open space that makes up, kind of like a park," said Hamilton.
There will be multiple sessions for people to attend, likely starting in early 2025, Hamilton said.
"We won't want to have just one meeting," he added. "Sometimes it's hard for people to schedule, so we'll typically set up a series of meetings where people could come in and provide input. [Afterward, the city will] provide feedback on what we're hearing from the public and begin presenting what those concepts might look like on paper."
Hamilton said groups who may be interested in taking operational control of the depot can also reach out to him. Hamilton also tells FOX54 that there have been discussions with the North Alabama Railroad Museum about a potential partnership.