EPA grant to help progress Estill County railyard redevelopment project
Republished from WEKU.
A $5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency will help redevelop the non-operational CSX Ravenna Rail Yard in Estill County.
The project will transform the non-operational railyard into a community greenspace called “The Yard.” It will include a music venue, campgrounds, jogging trails, a museum and a renovated steam engine repair shop.
Estill County Judge Executive Donnie Watson says the rail yard is important to the county’s history.
“Shipping by rail was a great big thing here in Estill County. At one time coal came down every day, several train loads of coal,” Watson said. “And I know it’ll never go back to that, but it could be used for a lot of other things.”
It’s being spearheaded by the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, which bought the railyard in 2018. They’re also working to restore a historic train housed there back to operation.
Development of The Yard is expected to bring 15 to 30 jobs to Estill County.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
