Silence has returned to the Lansdale Reading Railroad Freight House at Broad and Vine streets in the borough.
The renovation and restoration of the Discover Lansdale-owned, 117-year-old historic structure had been underway sporadically over the past two years through a volunteer effort.
Unfortunately, unforeseen structural issues with the 3,900-square-foot building have not only brought volunteer work to a standstill, but the fundraising momentum and associated expenses must be re-evaluated as well.
“When Discover Lansdale originally purchased the building,” said the nonprofit’s Vice President Bill Henning, “we were a little optimistic with our initial estimate, and it appeared we could get it in decent usable condition at a reasonable expense.”
But, when they removed the subfloor, it was discovered that many of the floor joists under the large side freight doors were in awfully bad condition due to the loss of protection from the elements because of the removal of roof overhangs many decades prior.
As it turned out, exposure to bad weather brought on a bigger increase in repair costs to get it to a safe, usable, and profitable space – from an original $250,000 estimate to an additional $600,000. Discover Lansdale had a completion date of 2022 to coincide with the borough’s sesquicentennial celebration.
“We found several that were not even connected to the outer supporting wall because of deterioration,” Henning said. “At that point, it was decided that the entire floor system – flooring, floor joists and joist supports – needed to be replaced.”
For several decades, the freight house had been devoid of life, save for the random BMX bikers and teenage trespassers using its stone-walled shell as a slacker’s sanctuary.
In 2016, Discover Lansdale bought the building for $60,000 from previous owner Lansdale Parking Authority, and it also rents the land for $1 per year in a 99-year lease. The Lansdale Parking Authority bought it for $590,000 from 111 S Broad St LLC in 2016, which owned the parcel since 2009, according to Montgomery County land records.
Beginning in Fall 2018, the swinging of sledgehammers into eroded concrete and spinning of circular saw blades through rotted wood was commonplace as Discover Lansdale worked toward its goal to transform the building into its vision of a potential event and meeting center. In doing so, it hoped to compare in success to similar local renovated venues like Quakertown Train Station, Souderton Train Station or The Barn at Rising Sun Inn, housing an entertainment site, Northbound Restaurant, and reception center, respectively.
Henning said that Discover Lansdale has “pretty much run out” of things for volunteers to do until professionals come in and do what needs to be done with the flooring and utilities. Engineering drawings are being finalized at present by Ring Consulting Group of Lansdale.
“They have been a huge help with this project,” Henning said. “With the drawings in-hand, we will next look to get a contractor on board to help steer this project to completion.”
There is, however, a bright silver lining to the project right now, thanks to Mid-Atlantic Historic Preservation Services. Henning, who will soon take over as President of Lansdale Historical Society, said the agency has been able to determine the Freight House is eligible for the National Historic Registry, which opens the possibility for grants.
“The Freight House has the potential to be such a huge asset to the Lansdale Borough. Last spring, we were putting the finishing touches on a capital fundraising campaign, but the whole COVID-19 situation has kind of gotten things sidetracked a bit,” he said. “For 2021, we are looking to be getting everything back on track and we have our eyes focused, with confidence, on our goal of restoring this Lansdale historic building for a much-needed community use facility for the Lansdale area.”
To some, there may be a simple solution to the current renovation debacle – privatization. A buyer could potentially fund Discover Lansdale and make use of a prime spot in the downtown; the site is located across the street from the old Borough Hall and new municipal complex and police station and sits aside the new Liberty Bell Trail.
“I think that would be the easy way out and considered a fail,” Henning said. “We don’t feel privatizing with a buyer would provide the facility needed and also would not be true to our mission.”
He said completion of the Freight House will open doors with innumerable usage possibilities for the community and act as a catalyst for future Discover Lansdale events and funding.
The Freight House, he said, represents Lansdale’s history better than any other building in the borough. Lansdale was built around the railroad, and the Freight House was built by the railroad to serve the local industry at the turn of the century.
“Freight has moved in and out of every corner of this town through those big doors on either side of it. This town has evolved, and is mostly a residential community, and this building has a chance to evolve with it to be a much-needed multi-purpose facility that the community can use,” he said.
The freight house dates to 1902—the same construction date as its complement, the Lansdale Train Station at Main Street and Railroad Avenue—and served its purpose until the 1970s. At one time, the sound building housed an auto repair business.
According to Discover Lansdale board member and Lansdale Historical Society President Dick Shearer, the building was the shipping terminal for Heebner Agricultural Works, American Olean Tile Co., Lansdale Tube Co., the Cox Stove Works, and numerous borough hosiery mills. It also transferred goods headed to Norristown or Doylestown. It was accessible in all four directions (to Bethlehem and New England, Philadelphia, Norristown, and Doylestown).
Discover Lansdale plans to rely on revenues from facility rentals for both private and public events to support and upkeep the Freight House. It will also be a welcome center of sorts and display area for artifacts and memorabilia. Potential clients include businesses and organizations for meetings and events, merchants for markets, artists and crafters, promotors and performers for musical and theatrical performances, and the public for wedding receptions and celebrations.
According to its business plan, additional improvements include:
Replacing 17 glass windows above the freight doors and rear entrance, and six on the north end of the building.
Refurbishing 17 doors including the weighted freight doors and rear entrance door, and restoring several of the freight doors to full operation for enhanced event usage.
Installing electric, HVAC, water and sewer service.
Restoring the front entrance door and installing ADA-compliant ramps and accessibility features.
Restoring the entrance foyer, a subdivided office area and cabinetry to resemble its original freight office character, for Welcome Center use.
Painting and other external improvements
“Discover Lansdale is a nonprofit organization full of volunteers very passionate about Lansdale and its community. Discover Lansdale has put Lansdale on the map with its events, one at a time,” Henning said. “Personally, I can't see why anyone wouldn't want to be a part of it or its effort to get the Freight House completed.”
Donations can be made on the Discover Lansdale Freight House page to support completion of the project.
See also:
Lansdale Police Investigating Illegal Trash Dumping Incident At Freight House
Photos: Boardroom Raises More Than $1,500 For Lansdale Freight House Restoration
Frachthouse Zer0.5K Adds Humor To Oktoberfest Celebration
Work To Begin On Lansdale Freight House
Freight House Progress Coming Slowly and Steadily
