LACMTA begins restoration of historic train depot
Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has begun restoration work on the historic Southern Pacific Lankershim/North Hollywood train depot as construction crews work to rehab the facility throughout the coming year.
“LACMTA is redefining mobility and enhancing the quality of life by implementing the Measure R projects throughout the county. The preservation and integration of historic structures into new mobility is important so we are preserving our past and advancing into the future with this project,” said LACMTA Board Chair Diane DuBois.
LACMTA is taking the lead in performing restoration work on the train depot located adjacent to the Orange and Red Lines in North Hollywood by funding a major portion of the $3.6-million project. The second phase of restoration work is expected to take 10 months to complete. Funding is made possible through LACMTA by using $2.5 million in Prop. C half-cent sales tax monies and $1.1 million from the city of Los Angeles. Phase 2 restoration work is being done by DRP National Incorporated based in West Covina under contract to LACMTA.
The first phase of the work has already been completed, which included the removal of contaminated soils, roofing and lead-based paint throughout the structure, along with the stabilization of the historic exterior woodwork.
The current Phase 2 reconstruction work will include the seismic strengthening of the structure, new electric and plumbing systems, restoration of the platforms and signage, as well as rehabilitation of the damaged siding, eaves, windows and doors. The project will complete the basic building leaving the structure ready for leasing to future tenants.
Additional work will be performed to include the restoration of the corner historic park and railroad tracks adjacent to the station building along with general landscaping to restore the historic context of the site.
The history of the train depot dates back to the late 1800s. The Lankershim/North Hollywood Depot is a one-story prefabricated wood frame structure at the corner of Lankershim and Chandler in North Hollywood that was brought to the site on rail cars and assembled by the Southern Pacific in 1896. It is one of the oldest unmodified railroad structures in Southern California and is located in the heart of the North Hollywood Arts District.
