Livermore Southern Pacific Railroad Depot

Historic Building

Livermore's Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was built in 1892.

Possible Relocation

It has been suggested the Depot be moved to accommodate a housing development on the site.

--- It has been more than suggested. The City has a $2.5 Million grant to do the move and restoration of the depot. The move may accommodate development, but it is an opportunity to put the depot back into service as a transportation hub, a function it has not served for over 4 decades since the tracks beside it were removed. The best way to preserve a historic building is to use it, and all the better if it can be put back to its original use. Very rarely is this possible, and old depots often suffer the indignity of becoming restaurants, kitschy antique shops or ill-suited office space. The opportunity to have our depot do exactly what it was intended to do, and to collect $2.5M in the effort to restore it to that role, is an incredible opportunity that is exciting historians, rail buffs and citizens anxious to save the depot.

At this point, the City has engaged historical architects from Page and Turnbull to lead the restoration and move, and they have a detailed plan for the restoration work which includes original colors, restoring original trim, and removing the junk added over time like the concrete conference room added to the rear.

It is interesting that after four decades of silence about the depot, as it got hacked up, gutted and appended, there are a few voices who now would rather leave the depot to sit where it is, decline the $2.5M, and hope for some new money to turn it into a public trinket. No plan ever pleases everyone, but this restoration of the depot back to a location next to the tracks is exactly what preservationists, architects and Livermoreons have been wishing for.

Alternative to Relocation

Others suggest the Depot should remain where it is and argue that there is money available to accomplish the preservation activity.

-- Technically, they argue that money could be available, assuming the City rejects the existing grant, then applies for a new grant, and the MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) then grants new funds. It is not completely impossible, but the new request would have to compete with other grant requests focused on transportation, which is what MTC grants are for. In the unlikely event of success, it would leave the depot away from the tracks, not used as a depot, and dependent on some to-be-determined funding for operating cash. Better than demolition, but far from ideal. In any event, it appears this alternative is supported by four vocal people, so while there is some noise, it does not appear there is much substance.