The Daily Reporter
Train Depot Nominated for Renovation Award
by Melanie McIntyre
September 1, 2005

The Columbus Landmarks Foundation this week announced five finalists for its James B. Recchie Design Award, which pays tribute to a Central Ohio building, parkland, public interior or landscape whose completion or renovation within the previous five years has significantly impacted the area and its people. Among this year's contenders is The Depot Conference Center located at 919 Old Henderson Road .

“It's a job outside the city and out of the public eye. It's nice to hear that someone noticed it and took the time out to nominate it. I'm pleased, as is (owner Barry H. Fromm),” said Ted Goodman, owner of F.A. Goodman Architects, the project's architect of record. Columbus-based Georgetown Builders served as general contractor and project adviser.

The Depot Conference Center is housed in a former train depot dating back to 1880 and originally located in Brice , Ohio , a village in Franklin County .

The depot was dismantled, moved to its current site and then rebuilt, oodman said. Photos of similar structures from the same period helped him fine-tune the depot's architectural details. The existing depot and an ancillary structure at the south end of the building, which contains perios style restroom facilities and a kitchen, totals 1,173 square feet of space. Found structures and materials were utilized in the building's reconstruction, with the walls originally belonging to a 150 year-old Quaker church in Ravenna , Ohio , said Fromm.

The conference area ceiling is made of red pine bead board and the floors are hand-hewn hickory. The main conference area accommodates 40 people in conference style, 27 people in a hollow square, 24 people U-shape, or up to 60 people in casual reception style.

The depot's interior features tables made of 300 year-old hardwood handcrafted by Butler-Ohio based artist, Neil Panyik for Country Benches as well as Amish-made tapestry-seat chairs, Fromm stated. Antique train memorabilia, such as a typewriter, a telephone switchboard, and a wrought iron coal stove weighing more than 200 pounds, can be found throughtout the conference space. Framed reproductions of maps and timetables, modeled after those found along the Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad during the 1880s, line the walls.

The room is illuminated by hanging lights with brass fixtures. Though the depot appears devoid of modern day appliances, looks can be deceiving. The space features state-of-the-art technology including a high definition television, a DVD player, a VCR, a DLP projector, a drop-down projector screen, surround sound speakers and video conferencing.

Numerous local companies have used the depot for executive retreats, off-site strategy sessions and board meetings since it opened in December 2004, Fromm said.

The building's exterior consists of ample green space, a brick paver patio, antique train benches, a railroad signal and 2,000 feet of track that encircles the conference center and office suites about 20 feet away. Rounding the 7.5 gauge track is a one-third scale steam locomotive, tender and five cars that can seat accommodate 15 people.

Construction of the conference center began in May 2004 and was completed in December of the same year.

The James B. Recchie Design Award, named in memory of a noted Columbus attorney and a Landmarks' founding trustee, celebrates his vision of a better Columbus through quality urban design. Recchie's sister, Nancy Recchie, has been involved with the award's bestowal since it was established in 1984. Train depots are being lost by the dozens and nobody notices, she said. Fromm, though did not want to see that happen again, so he took action and created an income-producing property—a notable feat.

The other four finalists are” The Cap at Union Station, designed by Meleca Architecture; New Village Homes, Italian Village, designed by Lincoln Street Studio Ltd.; North Bank Park and Pavilion, designed by MSI and Acock Associates Architects, respectively; and the Short North Pocket Parks.

To date, the Short North Business Association has not officially given the Columbus Landmarks Foundation names of the person or persons responsible for the Pocket Parks' design, said Elizabeth Jewell, director of communication and programs for the Foundation. A three-person jury will visit all the nominated sites next week and the winner will be announced at an awards program scheduled for Oct. 5, Recchie stated.

The 2004 James B. Recchie Design Award winner was the Ohio Judicial Center. Public comment on the five finalists will be received online through Sept. 6.

Note: The 2005 Winner of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation James B. Recchie Design Award was The Cap at Union Station, designed by Meleca Architecture.