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Centre Daily Times December 21 2005
Termites destroying train station
Chamber launches fundraiser to save historic structure
By Pete Bosak; pbosak@centredaily.com
"Termites are eating away at the historic Bellefonte Train Station, prompting an "S.O.S." of sorts from its inhabitants.
So far, the pests have inflicted about $5,000 in structural damage to one corner of the station. Another $2,400 is needed to get rid of the termites.
To raise $25,000 to get rid of the termites, repair the damage left in their wake and make improvements to the station that once saw World War II soldiers off to battle, the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a fundraising campaign, dubbed "Save Our Station."
The chamber makes its home in the station, built in 1889. The Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau also has a satellite office in the building.
"You can see where the floor is sagging two inches in my office," said BIACC executive director Chip Aikens. "Termites have infested the northwest corner of the building. They've destroyed the one corner.
"And it's such a neat and historic building," Aikens said.
The termite "remediation" is expected to begin in the spring and take as long as two years to complete. Because the station is so close to Logan Branch, the pests cannot be killed with chemicals and instead must be trapped, Aikens said.
The chamber has received two grants totaling $6,000 from the Historic Bellefonte Inc. and the Bellefonte Cruise Committee. Aikens said there also is a $10,000 grant application pending with the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
"We need to get it out there that we're in trouble and need help," Aikens said.
While the campaign is in its infancy, chamber directors are considering ideas for fundraising events, said Karen Seagren, a BIACC board member who is leading the "Save our Station" effort.
"I think it's one of the most important buildings in Bellefonte," she said.
The 116-year-old building was purchased by Bellefonte on Oct. 24, 1973, from Penn Central Transportation for $15,000, according to the deed on file at the borough office, said Assistant Borough Manager Sue Hannegan.
It was rehabilitated during the 1980s for use as community offices and is leased to the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce for $1 per year. Part of its lease agreement requires the chamber to see to the building's upkeep.
By raising $25,000, the chamber plans to remove the termites, repair the damage they caused, paint the exterior and interior, repair a deteriorating chimney and add storm windows to cut down on heating costs, Seagren said.
While Aikens would not disclose the private, nonprofit group's annual budget, sources said it is about $55,000 and is driven by member contributions.
While the chamber budgets for upkeep on the train station, the mounting problems, including the termite infestation, overwhelmed that funding.
"Our building needs some maintenance that there hasn't been funding for," Aikens said. "It all has come to a head pretty much at once."
The station also is home to Bellefonte Historical Railroad. But due to contractual and equipment-related issues, its tourist train excursions were canceled for 2005 and are not expected to resume until the spring."
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