July 17, 2024 - TRA Newswire - 

Once a glorious facility that spanned the Arkansas and Texas border and hosted numerous daily trains, the Texarkana Union Station has fallen into a state of disrepair and has become an eyesore for the region. 

That may change soon as both the Texarkana, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas city governments have approved a pact to redevelop the historic landmark. 

Both cities will contribute $200,000 toward the joint redevelopment effort and the city fathers on the Texas side have submitted a grant proposal to the Rail Division at the Texas Department of Transportation. The city hopes to tap into available funding from the Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) program and TxDOT will file an application. If the CRISI grant is successful, Amtrak said they would provide additional funding.

Union Station's importance to the region is significant as it was the focus point on the state line between Arkansas and Texas when railways created the city. The renovation would be a major step in revitalization efforts of the twin downtowns.

Earlier this year, conditions deteriorated to the point that Amtrak, which leases space for its ticket agent and waiting room, has had to vacate its space because of mold and deterioration of the building. A temporary hut outside the building housed the functions for the passenger operator, making it seem like the station operated out of a shipping container than a former majestic building.

The Texarkana Union Station was built in 1930 as a renaissance style building, according to Historic Texarkana. The design and construction was funded by the sale of securities of the joint terminal at a cost of $1,667,000. On May 12, 1930, the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce sponsored a cornerstone laying celebration. A chamber spokesperson stated that the completion of Union Station was “one of the most momentous events in the history of the city.”

The imposing 44,000-square foot station features three large, arched windows flanked by decorative columns highlight its north façade. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The Union Station building was purchased in 2003 by Jeff Sandefur, who runs a local property management concern and is the landlord. Sandefur was shown as a Past-President of  the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, according to KSLA-TV. The building is one of just a few privately owned active train stations in the country. The western portion of the station has been repurposed as a prison facility with fencing and barbed wire, drawing stares from passengers on the train as it arrives at the station platform. It's a truly unique train stop. 

According to the Texarkana Gazette newspaper, in 2021, for the first time in more than 20 years, the Union Station in downtown Texarkana might be given a chance at a new life. The Arkansas-side Board of Directors agreed in a 4-2 vote to green-light a $200,000 contribution to help the city of Texarkana, Texas, buy the vintage train station. 

Negotiations have stalled since 2021, according to reports, with the landlord asking more for the property than the local entities are able to cobble together. 

Photo credit of Union Station: Renelibrary - wikimedia.org

Photo credit platform - Adam Moss