For many, many years, there has been much discussion on what to do with the old roundhouse structure owned by Norfolk and Southern Railroad that sits near the rail yards on the west side of Frankfort.
Once a glorious landmark in an era that has come and gone, the roundhouse has now become a major eyesore near one of the main thoroughfares and entryways into the City of Frankfort.
“It’s no secret that the roundhouse is in really bad disrepair,” said Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shan Sheridan. “It’s been something that Norfolk Southern has held onto for a long time. The deed has never been recorded, so that property still belongs to them.”
Sheridan said the Midwest Rail Heritage group was working with Frankfort Mayor Chris McBarnes on “Project Home Run,” which was a project designed to help beautify that area and tear down the roundhouse.
“We don’t know where that (the project) really is right now,” said Sheridan. “I think that’s been put on hold for Prairie Creek Park to make sure that gets done. I think the goal and the vision is that Project Home Run will take place. But, regardless of what happens to Project Home Run, I think there will be movement on the roundhouse property to see what can be done to get it cleaned up.”
Sheridan said they have been told by four or five groups it would take between $280,000 to $700,000 to clean up the roundhouse. However, he added “we have been told this is not a Superfund”, which would make it a million dollar plus clean up and remediation.
Sheridan pointed out there have been success stories in the county involving these kinds of situations. He specifically pointed out that the current facility for the Rossville Lions Club was built on the site of old gas station.
“It (the roundhouse) is a great property for developing,” said Sheridan. “I think there’s opportunity for development there regardless of it’s a park or Project Home Run.”