Friends of the Orange Depot has announced plans to begin the renovation of the historic Southern Pacific Depot at 1210 Green Ave. in Orange this spring, and are encouraging everyone in the county to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Saturday, April 23, at 10:00 AM at the depot.

All the mayors from Orange County are invited, and members of the Orange City Council, the press, special donors, Chamber of Commerce members, along with the board of directors and volunteers of the organization.

The general contractor for the renovation was announced last Thursday at a board meeting. They have awarded the contract to Jack Elliott of JackBuilt in Orange, who has been passionate about saving the depot since 2010, when he calculated his first estimate of what it would take to renovate it. He will be using sub-contractors from Orange County to work on the project, and will be working very closely with chief architect Rob Clark of AAI, Inc. in Beaumont. He and Rob will also take part in the ceremony.

Carrie Woliver, founder and president of F.O.O.D., is so thankful to all those who have donated so far, so that the renovation can get under way. “We are hoping that those who have been waiting to donate to the project to save this historic landmark will come forward to help us once they see that it is becoming a reality, she said. We are still planning a multi-purpose building that the community can use for meetings and special events as well as an interesting and educational museum about Orange industries and notable personalities for children as well as adults to enjoy.”

More information can be found on the group’s website, www.orangetxdepot.org.

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