Johnson City now has a home for its new visitors center.
City commissioners voted Thursday to purchase the two-story portion of the old Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway train depot at 300 Buffalo St. for $750,000 from Beacon Financial Credit Union.
The single-story section, which used to be home to Tupelo Honey Cafe before it closed in 2018, is not part of this deal.
âThe potential for the visitors center is very profound,â Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Chair Andy Marquart told commissioners Thursday.
Marquart said the location makes sense, particularly in light of the nearby development on West Walnut Street and the buildingâs proximity to East Tennessee State University and downtown.
After spending years in a building just down the street from City Hall, Johnson Cityâs new visitors center could soon settle in a local historic landmark.
According to their draft agenda, city commissioners are scheduled Thursday to consider buying the two-story portion of the former Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio Railway depot building for $750,000 from Beacon Financial Credit Union.
The building would house the Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Johnson City Development Authority and one or two employees from the cityâs communications and marketing department.
Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Brenda Whitson said the location stood out because itâs at a nexus downtown, having easy access to Interstate 26 as well as multiple businesses and recreational opportunities. The visitors center is currently in the Chamber of Commerce building at 603 E. Market St.