Depot Park will soon close to the public as the City of Sanford renovates the depot building to ensure the historic and beloved structure remains a focal point for the community.
The depot building was built in 1910 to service passengers of three rail companies with stops in Sanford. To save the building from destruction, the Sanford Area Association of Realtors (SAAR) purchased and upfitted it in the early 1990s to use as office space.
The City of Sanford acquired the depot building from SAAR in 2015. The goal was to preserve and invest in the historic landmark so that it could remain a touchstone for the community for generations to come.
In 2022, Sanford City Council committed $703,000 in funds made available by the American Rescue Plan Act to renovate the building. The North Carolina General Assembly earmarked $500,000 in State Capital Infrastructure Funds, and another $100,000 has come from private donations.
“We are excited to be fully underway in saving this important piece of Sanford’s history,” says Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon. “We thank all of our partners for working together to keep the downtown momentum going as we invest in this crucial work.”
With the park being closed, Downtown Sanford has moved its annual fall concert series to the Horner Square parking lot. The series will feature live music and food and beverage vendors each Thursday evening of September. See the downtown calendar here.
The Depot Park fountain will continue to run during the renovation process. The Railroad House Museum will not be affected by the closure.
To follow the construction process and stay updated, visit our projects hub at www.sanfordnc.net/projects.