Friends of the Weston Depot hosting visioning session

Would you like to see a coffee shop at the Weston Depot? How about a rest area for Mass Central Rail Trail users or a railcar museum?

The Friends of the Weston Depot are soliciting ideas for what residents want to see at the 144-year-old train station on Church Street.

To solicit ideas, the Friends are hosting a visioning session on Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the Weston Public Library, 87 School St. A remote viewing option will be available at westondepotfriends.org. Following the session, the Friends will conduct an online survey to gather additional input throughout March.

Friends members Alicia Primer and Phyllis Halpern said there are no preconceived notions about what the station could become, so anyone who has a thought about the future of the building is encouraged to share their ideas. Most importantly, their “biggest goal is to make it a public amenity: something that will benefit the townspeople of Weston and also the passersby on the rail trail.”

“There will be no ‘nos’ at this meeting,” Primer said. “This is all about ideas because it might be that 40 people said they want coffee, but someone might have something that nobody’s thought of, that’s what we need. We really are at the beginning stages of investigating what’s possible there.”

Lori Hess, a former Planning Board member and chair of the Unified Planning Committee, will facilitate the visioning session, which Primer and Halpern said will be an open discussion among attendees.

After the Friends compile survey responses and the visioning session feedback, they will begin creating a plan to put forward to the community.

“All these things have implications that need to be considered,” Halpern said.

Primer added they will keep residents apprised of their plans, as fundraising will be “the biggest hurdle for us.” While residents may be hesitant to donate money to a cause without a clear purpose, she said having a firm plan will entice donations.

Work around the building began after the Friends took ownership at the end of December. Protective fencing has been erected around the building, and the Friends worked with John Veale of Vealco Restoration to secure the roof after nearly two feet of snow fell in January.

The Friends finished interior stabilization, but more work is needed.

“We need more, so that it can last long enough for us to figure out what the next steps are,” Halpern said. “We’ll have distinct recommendations for emergency stabilization.”

With the future of the building in doubt less than a year ago, Primer said she is excited for residents to weigh in on the future of the depot.

“I think we’re in a good position right now,” Primer said. “A lot has happened in a year, but the fun part is coming up now.”

If residents have thoughts to share, but are unable to attend the session, Primer said folks should visit westondepotfriends.org or reach out directly to her or Halpern.