The background
The Buda Train Depot closed in 1961 and was sold several times, according to agenda documents. The current owners—who purchased the building in the early '90s—have offered to donate the building back to the city to avoid demolition.
The structure was moved at some point and is currently located between New Braunfels and San Antonio; however, historical clippings indicate that the depot was originally located in the “Greenbelt”—commonly referred to as “The Reservation”— which is now the current Destination Services Building.
The details
City staff developed two possible site designs, and identified pros and cons for each concept. One con for Exhibit A found by staff was the limited space for possible future improvements behind the depot.
Exhibit B had space behind the depot that could be used for future improvements, but that option limited the ability for the city to have a plaza space, according to agenda documents.
One more thing
Although the building is being donated, the city will still need to pay for the relocation and foundation reconstruction.
Assistant Director of Development Services Will Parrish said the city does not have money allocated in the budget for the depot’s relocation; however, staff is in discussion with several contractors to move the building and in the process of determining relocation and reconstruction costs.
