After more than two years of anticipation and speculation, the future is nearly here for significant portions of Kokomo’s downtown train depot.
Development of the depot, which the city purchased for $45,000 in March 2014, will now include the relocation of A. Michael’s restaurant from its spot on West Sycamore Street, a second floor community room soon to be available for reservations – the space has been compared to Rodgers Pavilion – and a pocket park complete with cornhole, ping pong and foosball.
Currently, city officials are also in negotiations to fill the remainder of the building, amounting to roughly 5,000 square feet of single-floor space that spans the structure’s northern half with its outdoor platform and numerous sliding doors.
For Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight, the depot’s planned development accomplishes two goals – historic preservation and downtown development, specifically by bringing further economic revitalization to a two-block area that has seen more than $10 million in private redevelopment.
The building, constructed in 1910, cost the city $339,157 to renovate, including roof repairs and asbestos removal.
“The main reason we wanted to acquire it was to make sure the building was preserved,” said Goodnight, who hadn’t been in the depot until the city purchased the building. “It had some boarded up windows ... it was slowly going into disrepair and we wanted to make sure it was preserved for historic purposes.
“We wanted something that would complement the things we were doing in the city but not necessarily compete with the things around it. … This is something I want people to be proud of, just like they are of the Seiberling Mansion, proud that we have a unique asset in our city that most people have forgotten about,” he added later.
A. Michael’s
After receiving a riverfront liquor license in January, A. Michael’s, one of the city’s few fine-dining establishments, will open to the general public Wednesday at its new location.
Formerly located in the Forest Park shopping plaza, A. Michael’s will move into the southern part of the building, offering outdoor seating along the Industrial Heritage Trail, in addition to its indoor dining area and bar.
The restaurant, which previously sat around 120 people, will now seat closer to 80 people, a change owner Aaron Wilson thinks will boost the restaurant’s sometimes quiet atmosphere.
“I think for a restaurant, the smaller size can almost be a positive. … When you walk in and it looks busy, it changes your mental outlook on things,” he said. “When you walk into a restaurant and there are people everywhere, you get a different feeling than when you only see a couple of tables and the place is kind of quiet.”
Wilson, who said the restaurant’s menu will stay largely unchanged, also spoke about the advantages of moving downtown.
Included in the potential benefits are increased visibility, a walkable location and proximity to public events like First Friday, said Wilson.
“I’m very excited. I think it means a lot to the growth of my business,” he said. “I think downtown is where to be nowadays. Everybody that I talk to about moving downtown can’t wait to come to the restaurant. Everybody is excited.”
In addition, Goodnight, who said the city also considered the possibility of placing a winery in the depot, reiterated his point of establishing a business in the depot that wouldn’t compete with other downtown establishments.
“It’s a unique stretch. That part of the city is pretty unique,” he said. “You have pizza by the slice, you have 3 Amigos, you have Main Street [Cafe] and [Jamie’s Soda Fountain] in close proximity. We wanted something that was a little different. … It complements it, but it doesn’t compete. It is a different kind of restaurant.”
Public space
Supplementing A. Michael’s and the remaining space – Goodnight said the city is currently working on an agreement with another business and “hopes to have it finalized soon” – will be a second-story community room above A. Michael’s and a pocket park, or depot park, on the structure’s northern end.
The community room, offering roughly 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, will be available for use in mid-July, according to Deputy Mayor David Tharp, who said various rental details are still being evaluated by city officials.
In addition to events like wedding receptions or rehearsal dinners, Wilson said A. Michael’s will also consider renting the space for local bands or other entertainment options.
“I wouldn’t say I will use it every week, but I will utilize it as much as possible,” he said of the community area, which is accessed via a stairway behind the A. Michael’s kitchen. “It is a great area, a great venue.”
In addition, the outdoor space near the intersection of North Buckeye Street and West Jefferson Street will offer another public gathering area.
The space will be sectioned into two raised areas, one for seating and a second for recreation. The two areas will be divided by a brick partition, with a small gate providing access to both sections.
The area is expected to be available by the end of June.
Included in the park will be an art dedication to the late Beth Notaro, who served as a community arts advocate before her passing last March.
Within the park will also be a cement ping pong table, foosball, cornhole, and chess tables, along with tables and more seating.
“We are going to honor the late Beth Notaro’s work in the community, so we are going to have a nice plaque and a nice piece of artwork that commemorates her,” said Goodnight. “We wanted it to be more than just a place to sit and rest along the trail. … This will be good for young kids, teens and adults. This will be somewhere for that age group from about 8 to 80.”
Lastly, Goodnight said he is searching for a unique, historical train car to place on the tracks beside the depot, an addition he hopes the city could receive as a donation.
“If somebody has access to one or can find one they’d be willing to donate to have placed along the depot, that is the first choice,” he said, referencing the potential for a 1950’s diner car or caboose. “We are looking, keeping our eyes open.”