Senator Dale M. Volker Secures $50,000 For The Orchard Park Depot Restoration Project

(Albany, NY and Depew, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-I-C, Depew) today announced that he has secured $50,000 for the Orchard Park Depot Restoration Project. Senator Volker secured these funds as part of the adopted 2006-2007 State Budget and will be used for capital construction costs for the restoration of the railway depot located in Orchard Park.

"The historical importance of railroads in western New York has been significant and have played an important role in our economic and cultural fabric," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "In order to protect part of our railroad heritage for generations of western New Yorkers, securing this $50,000 will allow the Western New York Railway Historical Society to preserve the Orchard Park Railway Depot and assist in educating the community of this important part of our history, culture and economy."

Mr. David Peters, Chairman of the Orchard Park Depot Restoration Committee said, "The Orchard Park community has been extremely generous and supportive of our plan to restore this part of Orchard Park’s history, and we are very proud of the work that has been done to date. Senator Volker securing this $50,000 grant will allow us to make significant capital improvements to the railway depot, so that we can expand the opportunity for community events and serve as an educational resource for our residents and local schools."

The Orchard Park Depot consists of two structures, a passenger depot and a freight station. The structures are located in a "park like" setting and incorporate a series of beautiful garden beds. It is the goal of the Western New York Railway Historical Society to preserve and restore the entire depot complex.

This $50,000 state grant will be used to complement existing funding for the renovation and restoration of its chimney and roof.

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