I bet some of you out there are thinking, "How has the Depot not been designated before?" That is a valid question. Though residents, officials and City staff have long looked at the iconic structure as an important and historically significant building, there have been a few hurdles to overcome in getting it landmarked. One big hurdle is that the City didn't actually own the building for quite a while. It was actually under the ownership of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or Metro, if you know the lingo. Luckily, in 2013, in conjunction with the Gold Line Extension construction negotiations, Monrovia received ownership of the property.
The timing of this landmark is also pretty fantastic. Not only has the Gold Line recently opened, along with several amenities at Station Square, but that area is also going to be the location of several more developments. And the Depot is a big part of that plan. Picture it... a year from know, you could jump off the train (please wait until the ride comes to a full and complete stop), and stroll into the beautifully restored Santa Fe Depot to enjoy tasty treats and libations. We are very excited to see this plan come to fruition and for one of our most treasured buildings to be restored to it's former glory, while also becoming a prime destination in Monrovia!
There is quite a long history to the Depot, and you can read all about it here in the staff report that was prepared for the City Council meeting. We hope that you are as excited as we are about this new landmark. Stay tuned for future updates about the progress of the restoration.
