Published: September 3, 2008
PLANT CITY - A plan to erect a train observation platform at the historic depot to attract more rail buffs and other tourists has received the blessing of the Plant City Commission.
The unanimous Aug. 25 vote of support came at the urging of the Historic Downtown Plant City Merchants and Business Association, whose members said similar projects have met with great success in other small Southern towns.
Al Collinge of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, volunteer coordinator of the Union Station Welcome Center and Railroad Museum since its December 1997 opening, said the number of visitors who come to watch the trains has grown steadily.
Rail fan clubs of 20 to 30 people are common, Collinge said.
"They meet at the depot and just watch the trains come," he said.
An elevated platform would improve the view, and more, he added.
"We've always had a definite concern about safety," he said, as some buffs get dangerously close to the rails to photograph passing trains.
Jerry Lofstrom, owner of the Whistle Stop Cafe, told commissioners that several Georgia cities recently built similar observation platforms to attract "train spotters," some of whom are so dedicated they keep notebooks, jotting down details of trains, such as the number of cars each contains.
John Davis, whose Espress Yourself Coffee 101 business is a block from the site, said Plant City's two dozen daily trains make it "a rail fan hot spot." The hobby is so popular that some Internet sites cater to rail buffs, featuring webcams providing remote viewing of trains in select rail hubs.
"It's an opportunity we definitely would not want to miss out on," Davis said.
The nearly century old depot, 102 N. Palmer St., closed as a train station years ago.
The owner of Lubrano Designs, who donated his work on the project, said the platform 12 feet from the tracks would provide a clear view of the two main rail lines. Plans call for a platform complementing the depot design, Bennie Lubrano said.
The upper level of the observation platform will be 13 feet tall, not including its roof. There's no timetable for construction.
"I think it would be an asset to downtown and to the city," said Commissioner Mike Sparkman, adding that chamber of commerce directors have unanimously endorsed the project.
Additionally, Sparkman said, local CSX Transportation representatives have endorsed a lease amendment to allow the observation platform on railroad property. Approval of corporate headquarters in Jacksonville is necessary, and Sparkman asked the city for legal assistance finalizing an amended lease.
In response to a question from Mayor Rick Lott, Sparkman said the project could cost in excess of $50,000.
After the vote, Lott said he would be amenable to using Community Redevelopment Agency funds for the project.
"I think it's more than worthy" of financial support from the agency, said Lott, the CRA chairman. Lott suggested possible funding be discussed at a future CRA meeting.
City commissioners are also directors of the CRA.
Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com.
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