For Immediate Release
July 30th, 2018 - Lexington Kentucky
The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation (KSHC), a 501(c)(3) public charity announced Monday that they will be collaborating with Lexington-based Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects (SCB) in creating the long-term vision for the Kentucky Rail Heritage Center.
The Kentucky Rail Heritage Center project was announced in May, when KSHC unveiled a partnership with CSX Transportation to purchase a large tract of decommissioned ex-L&N rail yard in Ravenna, Kentucky for economic development.
The Rail Heritage Center will be a living restoration shop, showcasing the rehab and maintenance of historic steam locomotives. The sprawling campus will creatively integrate a rail-based tourist attraction featuring train excursions with recreational space, technical skills training component and a regional community center complete with restaurants, shops, and lodging.
Chris Campbell, KSHC President, looks forward to the partnership with the highly-acclaimed Architectural firm.
“Sherman Carter Barnhart is the perfect fit for helping us craft the long-term vision for this region-changing economic development project,” he said in a statement Monday. “We are hoping to create a progressive environment while utilizing design components that harken to the region’s industrial past. The goal is to produce a modern campus that’s timeless as well as distinctly Appalachian. SCB’s body of work makes them a perfect fit for this exciting endeavor.”
Sherman Carter Barnhart is based in Lexington with offices in Louisville and Paducah. They have been designing award-winning projects for civic, educational, institutional, and private clients throughout the region since they opened in 1979. They have earned a reputation for design sensitivity to both the site and project context by creating buildings tailored to their surroundings and function, yet sensitive to the environment. The firm has won over 120 design awards, including the Kentucky Society of Architects Distinguished Firm Award, and their work has been published in numerous trade and professional journals.
Newby Walters, Business Development Director for SCB, provided encouraging words for the partnership.
“Sherman Carter Barnhart is proud to be working with KSHC on this exciting project which we all hope will spur economic development in this region. We are always interested in designing projects that will showcase the history of Kentucky and this rail-based campus, showcasing historic steam locomotives, will be an exciting project to work on with KSHC and CSX. We look forward to beginning our collaboration.”
Initial renderings and site plans will be developed over the next few months. More information will be published when available.
For more information on the project, contact KSHC President Chris Campbell at info@kentuckysteam.org
Visit https://www.scbarchitects.com/ to learn more about Sherman Carter Barnhart