Okeechobee Main Street

Last year, over four thousand people used the Okeechobee railroad.

 Amtrak has built a shelter near the depot for people to wait on the train but it has no restrooms facilities, food venue or seats.  The Okeechobee Train Depot has not only historic and architectural significance but is one of a few historic buildings left in our area.  The City of Okeechobee and Okeechobee Main Street have been in negotiations with CSX to donate this building to the City so we can start the process of having this valuable piece of our history restored with an eatery and train ticket center in it.  CSX wants to demolish the building and even though Amtrak supported our efforts CSX has been very difficult with communications and restrictions of this property. The negotiations have been ongoing for over 4 years. Thus far we have only been able to stop the demolition via the City of Okeechobee not allowing permitting for destruction of buildings over 50 years of age without review. It is our hope to bring enough attention as possible to this situation so that we may gain additional support in our attempts to obtain this future National Treasure for the residents and visitors of our community.
The success of this Community Challenge will most likely prevent us from losing this historical and functional building for the usage of our community and it's visitors.

The information provided on Community Challenge pages is provided "as is," and the National Trust for Historic Preservation does not make any representations, endorsements, or warranties (either expressed or implied) on any comments, reviews, or suggestions posted. Neither does the National Trust assume responsibility or liability for the same.