The iconic train station in Beverly Shores will be preserved with help from Indiana Landmarks.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore Line, agreed last week to partner with the nonprofit historical preservation agency to repair and manage the building.
“We own the structure, NIPSCO owns the land, and the structure needs significant improvement,” NICTD General Manager and President Michael Noland said. The railroad agreed to a 50-year extension on its lease.
“We think this is a very good lease opportunity for us and to really put this historic station in the hands of people who really know what they’re doing,” he said.
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As part of the agreement, the railroad’s portion of the building would shrink, which isn’t a problem since the station only sees 30 to 40 riders a day, Noland said. The rest of the building would be available for use by the museum there and for local activities.
The station, built in 1929, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. That application lists it as a Spanish/Colonial Revival style and said it housed not only the South Shore station but also a two-bedroom residence.
In addition to its distinctive architecture, the large Beverly Shores neon sign makes it a local landmark that has been photographed and painted often.
Indiana Landmarks offered to use its expertise to obtain funding to maintain the structure. NICTD will pay $5,000 annually for maintenance and agreed to keep it insured for fire and other losses.
The railroad also announced it hired an engineering firm that specializes in grade-crossing diagnostics to evaluate pedestrian grade crossings to determine if any additional safety enhancements beyond what the Federal Railroad Administration requires should be considered.
The review follows a fatal accident a year ago at the South Shore’s Hegewisch station.
The railroad is looking at the engineering feasibility of safely installing pedestrian gates at the crossings. Additional signage, including the Operation Lifesaver message, “See tracks? Think train,” has been installed.
Noland also said the target for completing the West Lake Corridor project remains the end of the year. Delays are attributed to the construction of the CSX bridge, which is expected to be completed by the end of October, and the installation of equipment to control stray electricity, just low voltage, from going beyond railroad property.
Once construction is completed, the railroad will need to do test runs to make sure everything is working well before service begins to Dyer and Munster.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.