The iconic roundhouse in the Frankfort rail yard has a $250,000 Readi grant to finance its removal. Unfortunately, Chamber Executive and Economic Development Director Shan Sheridan has learned that the roof system has an asbestos issue that will require an additional $129,000 to rectify.
The Nickle Plate Railway Roundhouse in Frankfort, Indiana was built in 1926. The original roundhouse building on the site was destroyed in a fire in 1924, and it was subsequently rebuilt in 1926. This roundhouse served as an important facility for the New York, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad (Nickel Plate Road) until the railroad merged with Norfolk & Western in 1964.
$50,000 has already been received to remove the building to make way for whatever may come next. Sheridan is working to bridge the funding gap and continue progress.
The roundhouse was high on the list to save and renovate for many years but the historical structure fell into such disrepair before any funding could be secured to save it. The ability to keep the round house simply made no financial sense.
The Roundhouse land and building are privately owned and have always been privately owned. Roundhouse story link from 2018.
