Los Angeles Metro launched a major restoration project at the historic Southern Pacific Lankershim/North Hollywood train depot on Sept. 20. The depot, with a history dating back to the late 1800s, is located adjacent to the Metro Orange and Red lines in North Hollywood.

“This major undertaking has been a long time coming,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Zev Yaroslavsky. “But once we complete the work, the public will have an opportunity to step back in time to the 19th century and revisit a vanished era in our transportation history.”

The facility is a one-story prefabricated wood frame structure that was brought to the site on railcars and assembled by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1896. It is one of the oldest unmodified railroad structures in Southern California and is located in the heart of the North Hollywood Arts District. The depot started out as a high platform station for loading trains from a local packing plant and cannery industries and farms. Later it was the North Hollywood Pacific Electric Red Car pedestrian station until that system ceased operation in 1952.

The first phase of work has already been completed, including removal of contaminated soils, roofing, and lead-based paint throughout the structure and stabilization of the historic exterior woodwork with the original yellow Pacific Electric paint colors.

Current efforts will include the seismic strengthening of the structure, new electric and plumbing systems, restoration of platforms and signage, and rehabilitation of the damaged siding, eaves, windows and doors. The project will complete the basic building, leaving the structure ready for leasing to future tenants.

Metro is funding a major portion of the $3.6 million project, using $2.5 million in Proposition C half-cent sales tax monies and $1.1 million from the city of Los Angeles.

Marking the start of station restoration at the Southern Pacific Lankershim/North Hollywood train depot are, from left, Aspet Davidian, project construction manager; K.N. Murthy, Metro executive director of transit project delivery; Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge; Metro Board Chair Diane DuBois; Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Zev Yaroslavsky; and Metro Chief Executive Officer Art Leahy.