ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Hattiesburg, Miss., station was rededicated on April 21, 2007.
» Please read our in-depth case study on the restoration of the Hattiesburg Intermodal Facility (1.1 MB PDF file).
A well-planned train station is one of the best investments a community can make as it seeks to expand its appeal for greater tourism and business opportunities. Whether used by tourists or local residents, well-planned train stations have proven to be fertile economic ground.
The restoration of the Hattiesburg Intermodal Facility has had significant economic impact in the community and downtown area. The construction project included restoration of the exterior envelope and rehabilitation of the interior, focusing on windows, doors, repairs, and repainting; roof, canopy and metal awning restoration; accessibility, new interior climate control and fire sprinkler systems; and passenger and other interior spaces. The platform canopy was also restored; and additional parking, grounds, street and traffic issues addressed. The restoration and extensive improvements cost $10 million overall, and took five years to complete.
The Hattiesburg Intermodal Facility Project is raising awareness and encouraging investment in the city‘s historic downtown area. It is estimated that the Hattiesburg depot renovation has resulted in over $30 million in private investment. Before it even opened, the depot project resulted in significant private investment in the immediate area. One example, the McElroy family invested $6.5 million in rehabilitation and new construction transforming an entire block with new business space including restaurants and apartments.
