���������������� What color would you say was the Waldwick Train Station when it was built in 1876? You would be surprised at the answer and will have to wait until the renovation project is well underway to find out. A detailed paint analysis performed as part of the “Historic Structure Report” (study) commissioned by the Waldwick Community Alliance revealed that many areas of the historic building have 15 layers of paint, according to WCA Vice President Doug Cowie. “I found this most interesting, because most everyone only knows the station to be grey with red trim. In fact the station has been many shades of green, red, gold, ochre, brown, beige and just about every color in between,” said Cowie. “When I looked at the paint chips of this color scheme, my first reaction was, `well that’s just really ugly’, but when all the colors of the walls, trim pieces were combined, it all just comes together, and now I really love it,” he said of the original color. The structure report was performed by Wayne T. McCabe & Associates of Newton. McCabe is an awardwinning historian that has a passion for history and experience with train stations. The firm also employed the services if HQW Architects, also of Newton. Frank Warr, a principal of the firm, has extensive knowledge of historic train stations of the time period, making his evaluation more accurate, according to Cowie. The Hewson Avenue station is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places, The report details the history of the railroad and station along with the impact it had on the development of Waldwick. The report also describes in great detail the exterior and interior conditions and makes recommenda- November 25, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 13 ����������������������������  Consultant completes train station structure report tions for rehabilitation of the building. Originally estimated to take 10-12 weeks, the final report took over five months to complete. “McCabe wanted to make sure they got it right, so a lot more research was needed to deliver a report that I was satisfied with and that I knew would be approved by the county grant board,” Cowie explained. “In addition to the county, we also need approvals from NJ Transit, state, and federal agencies to prove that we have the ability and know-how to get the job done and complete it with an eye towards historic preservation that must meet the Secretary of Interior’s standards. We also have to show that we have the ability to raise the necessary funding for the project,” he added. The study, which cost the WCA $16,000, has revealed that the first steps should be to replace the roof, raise the building 12”-18”, replace the rotted sill plate and regrade the site around the 800 sq. ft. building to prevent further damage. The building has been abandoned since the mid 1970s. Pending the necessary approvals, WCA hopes to get started with the repairs sometime in the spring. “This will depend on the speed of the approvals and the amount of available funds. WCA events have been generating a steady flow of cash into the account. One hundred percent of every penny we raise goes into the restoration of the station,” Cowie said. A detailed estimate for the complete rehabilitation of the station was done as part of the study. The overall estimate came in around $400,000, but Cowie said that number could be reduced by using volunteer labor and donated materials and by the organization acting as its own general contractor using various capable members. Cowie said that WCA will need to raise only 25 percent of that amount, or approximately $100,000, if it receives the Bergen County grants for which it may qualify. “The bad news is that the next round of grants is not until July 2010, and money will not be awarded until early 2011,” Cowie said, adding that the WCA has enough in its coffers to get the project underway and the ability to utilize a line of credit that will maximize the amount of work it can do until it is reimbursed through the county grants. “After they are received, we can move on to other aspects of the buildings restoration,” he said with confidence. “Our agreement with NJ Transit allows us to have seven years to restore the building, but I am very optimistic that we can do it in two to three years. And then we can set our sights on opening the Waldwick Historic Museum and hopefully rebuild the World War I Monument and rededicate it to all of the service members from Waldwick who have served and fought for our country.” The WCA signed a 25-year lease agreement with New Jersey Transit in July after three years of negotiations. The WCA is asking the public for contributions in terms of services, materials and dollars to help complete the ambitious project. For further information visit www. WaldwickCommunityAlliance.org or call (201) 873-8919. Paul Banach Construction, LLC Home Remodeling Waldwick • 201-689-0765 • Windows • Doors • Garage Doors • • Finish Carpentry • Crown Moldings, Cabinetry, Walk-In-Closets, etc... • Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations • Take advantage of the Energy Tax Credit in 2009 www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits Speak to your tax advisor to ascertain if you qualify, as these credits will make a project more economical for you! 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