City To Begin Process Of Turning Martinez Train Depot To Museum

By Tony Hicks, Bay City News Foundation

MARTINEZ, CA — The Martinez City Council on Tuesday night gave the go-ahead to start the process of making the old train depot into a museum.

The city will begin negotiating with the Martinez Historical Society to enter a lease agreement for the property, at 601 Marina Vista Avenue.

The city obtained control of the building in 2001 — when the new Amtrak station opened nearby— and has since used it for storage, also allowing Alhambra High School and other local non-profit groups to use it for the same purpose.

The original depot was built in 1877. Various uses have been discussed over the past two decades, including a restaurant and a ticket office for train tours. The building needs massive renovations.

The historical society is asking for a lease agreement in order to start a fundraising campaign. It would use the 5,400-square-foot building as a nonprofit, regional museum and exhibition center. The lease agreement could also include a provision to house the Joe DiMaggio "Joltin' Joe" boat display, an idea that historical society has supported in the past.

A city staff report for Wednesday's council meeting said MHS has approached the city about a lease that would span at least 30 years, which it said would be necessary to properly fund the project. "Nominal" rent and a long-term agreement would make the project more attractive for facility rehabilitation and improvement grant opportunities, the report said.

The report didn't mention any financial terms. The agreement expires Dec. 31.

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