Maysville Train Depot Work Begins
Maysville’s Train Depot stands ready for remodeling after the cement asbestos fiber siding has been removed and the location cleaned up. The process of bringing the depot back to life and transforming it into a workforce development center should begin in July, with completion scheduled for eight months after the start date.
MAYSVILLE—The first step in bringing the old Maysville Train Depot back to life started this past Friday when a crew from Enviro Assessments East, Inc. from Dover came to town to remove cement shingles that were reinforced with asbestos from the depot.
The shingles were installed over the building’s original wood siding in the mid-1960s and were a product of choice since they are fire-resistant, resistant to insects and rotting, and easy to clean and maintain. After consultations, the town decided to remove the shingles to limit potential health hazards associated with aging/breaking shingles. With the shingles removed and properly disposed of, the way for the structure’s renovation to begin is clear.
The town has entered a $622,000 contract with the IMEC Group LCC to restore the building to its former glory as the future Lenior Community College Maysville Workforce Training Center.
The IMEC Group anticipates beginning work on the renovation in mid-July and is slated to complete it in 270 days, eight months from its start date.
This will mark the culmination of the dream to repurpose the structure that was first envisioned in July 2007 when the President of the Maysville Development Corporation (MDC), William Frost, gathered members of the corporation at the former depot location at Maysville Milling. At that time, Frost stated that “save the depot for Maysville” was a priority as the members of the MDC discussed ways forward with members of the State Historic Preservation Office, NC Department of Cultural Resources.
The depot itself was moved to the Maysville Milling location in the mid-60s from its original location in the center of Maysville. In February 2008, it was moved to its current location on the property that once was a pulp yard on the northeast corner of town.
MDC donated the depot and the property, which is currently located in the town, in September 2013. In the ten-plus years since then, the town has worked to gain financial support/grants to attain the dream outlined by William Frost in 2007.
In April of this past year, William Frost’s nephew and current Town Manager, Schumata Brown, was able to gain the funding to renovate the structure when the Golden LEAF Foundation awarded the Town of Maysville funding to establish a workforce development training center in collaboration with Lenoir Community College in the former depot.
The center will not only preserve the historical value of the depot but also help fill a need for skilled workers in water and sewer municipal systems maintenance, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and healthcare in our region. The workforce development/skilled training courses and associated apprenticeship programs will be coordinated and offered through Lenoir Community College, providing valuable opportunities for our community.
The project expects 110 students to complete continuing education courses in water and sewer maintenance, construction trades, and healthcare annually.
“Personally, I am pleased to have played a role in bringing all of this together and helping achieve my uncle’s dream,” stated Brown. “Professionally, I am pleased that we brought so many people together to make this happen. If it weren’t for Mr. Trott (owner of Maysville Milling) donating the building to Maysville Development, Maysville Development moving and saving the building and reaching out to the town and partnering with us, the town’s board for being a part of this vision and Lenior Community College for seeing a need and being willing to work with us to make this happen this dream wouldn’t happen.”
Current plans call for the Maysville Workforce Development Center to open its doors for the fall semester of 2025.
“Great things happen when we work together, great things are happening in Maysville!” concluded Brown
Maysville’s Atlantic Coast Line Station, circa 1940, at its original location in the center of town, along 5th Street, between Main Street and Mattocks Avenues. The Town grew along what was first known as the East Carolina Rail Company line that was in operation from 1887 until the line was abandoned in the mid 90’s. The town had several rail sidings which allowed for natural products to be produced and shipped from town supporting a veneer mill, a pickle plant, a lumber mill and pulp yard.
Relocated in the 60’s the Maysville Train Depot was used for just under 50 years as a storage building on the grounds of Maysville Milling which was located just south of Maysville, along Main Street, just before you crossed the White Oak River into Belgrade and Onslow County.
With three sides down the crew from Enviro Assessment East, Inc from Dover are relocating equipment to begin siding removal on the east side of the depot.