The city of Hopkinsville is preparing to sell the historic L&N Train Depot as surplus property.
The iconic downtown building, constructed in 1892, has been in a state of structural decline for several years, and city officials estimated more than a year ago that the building required at least $2 million for restoration.
Sealed bids will be accepted at the Hopkinsville Municipal Center until 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23. At that time, the bids will be opened.
“The Depot is registered with the National Register of Historic Places and a requirement for purchasing the building will include keeping the historical and architectural appearance of the depot preserved and maintained,” the city notice states.
The notice does not include any requirement that bidders explain how they would preserve the “historical and architectural appearance” of the building. But it does state, “The City has the right to reject any all bids.”
The building has been vacant since a small fire on Jan. 15, 2019, forced the Pennyroyal Arts Council staff to move its headquarter out of the building.