| Statewide Transportation
Enhancement Project Examples |
Category 3: Acquisition of Scenic Easements and Scenic or
Historic Properties
- Acquire real property which possess significant aesthetic,
historic, natural, visual or open space value.
- Acquire historic bridges, historic transportation buildings
and land adjacent to a historic site.
- The property should enhance the transportation user's
experience of the surface transportation system.
Example Project #1
Project Name: Edinburg Southern Pacific Depot Restoration
Location: City of Edinburg
Project Description: The City of Edinburg purchased and
renovated the historic Southern Pacific Depot located on SH 107.
This historic depot was built in 1927 and was the center of rail
transportation that made the Rio Grange Valley a focal point for
trade and commerce. The renovation of this facility provides offices
for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Edinburg
Economic Development Corporation. The depot also serves a visitor's
center displaying historic train exhibits.
District or Division: Pharr District
Federal Funds:$400,000
(Click on an image to see an enlarged version) |
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Eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places, the Edinburg Depot remained vacant for about 10
years prior to restoration. |
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Completion of the depot restoration
included landscaping and providing a parking area for the new use of
the facility. |
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Removal of past renovations revealed the
original masonry arched windows and verandas along the North and
West façade, providing both indoor and outdoor areas for visitors. |
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The Edinburg Southern Pacific Depot
provides an excellent example of Spanish Colonial Style architecture
and worthy of preservation. |
Example Project #2
Project Name: North Padre Island Scenic Acquisition.
Location: North Padre Island
Project Description: Through this project the State of Texas
acquired approximately 4000 acres of property on both sides of Park Road
22 on North Padre Island. Park Road 22 accesses the Padre Island
National Seashore (governed by the National Park Service). The
acquisition of this property will preserve its aesthetic qualities as
well as protect the view along the major tourist route.
District or Division: Corpus Christi District
Federal Funds: $3,520,000
(Click on an image to see an enlarged version)
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A view of Laguna Madre peeks out from
behind the grassy dunes, ideal for bird watching. |
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Dirt roads off Park Road 22, are the
only accesses into the property open to the general public. |
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Marsh grasses line Park Rd 22 leading
into the Padre Island National Sea Shore. |
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State owned fishing cabins are located
throughout the shore area. This one is across the bay from the Flour
Bluff section of the City of Corpus Christi. |
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