Evo craft brewing, Salisbury pair to rehabilitate historic, dilapidated Union Station
Thanks to a landmark $500,000 grant, one of Salisbury's most iconic structures will finally get much-needed rehabilitation as part of a bike trail project.
The grant was awarded through the state’s Strategic Demolition Fund, a program designed to catalyze projects and activities that accelerate job production and economic development. Union Station, located at 611 Railway Ave., was one of 22 projects in the state awarded from this fund, and the owners of the building, John and Thomas Knorr, have big plans for the property.
"The initial plan is to stabilize the property by fixing roof window and door damage," said Thomas Knorr, co-founder of Evolution Craft Brewing Co. "There are structural parts of the building that need to be (repaired). The initial money will be going to replacing the roof and bring it back to its condition from 1913 when it was originally built. We want to separate the building into three different sections."
The long-term plan is to lease out the three spaces to businesses that tie into the bike trail. Some suggestions include a bike shop complete with an air-filling station for riders. An eatery to serve "fast and casual" items could be placed there also. Finally, a third tenant could take the remaining space as long as it fits the bike trail development.
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The Knorr family first bought the property in spring 2006.
"That building is one of the iconic locations in the entire Delmarva Peninsula. We fell in love with it years ago and when it came up for sale, we bought it right away. The intention was to do a restaurant back then, but the numbers didn't work out," Knorr said.
The dilapidated structure is located in Salisbury’s Church Street Historic District.
“Not only is this grant going to transform Union Station, but it’s going to transform the Church Street neighborhood, our Rail Trail, and our city’s commercial landscape,” said Mayor Jake Day. “This building has sat empty, crumbling and unsightly for decades, and we’re here to breathe new life into it. Through this support from our governor and our partnership with the Knorr family and Evolution Craft Brewing Company."
Renovations of Union Station are expected to begin in early 2023.
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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Salisbury's Union Station to get rehabilitation after landmark grant
