A train station closed in Westerly, Rhode Island two years ago, has reopened as a mixed space, combining a waiting area for passengers with a new arts venue.
The change is the result of cooperation between the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly and government officials. Though the facility had closed due to Amtrak’s shift to online and mobile smartphone ticketing, the transformed space will give passengers an indoor waiting area and access to restrooms, as well as an opportunity to view creations of local artists. The station will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“This project is a fantastic example of what can be accomplished through successful partnerships,” Gov. Gina Raimondo, who attended the station’s reopening ceremony, said. “The state, local community and the Artists’ Cooperative worked together on a solution that will provide a vital service to the public while expanding the cultural fabric of the community.”
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Peter Alviti, Jr., director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, were also in attendance for the ceremony.
“Westerly Station is an important part of our transit infrastructure,” Alviti said. “It is wonderful to see it come back to life with a new tenant. We appreciate the willingness of the Artists’ Cooperative to welcome Amtrak passengers. It creates a sense of vitality.”
The artists’ gallery will remain in the station until renovations are completed on its former location, the United Theatre complex. Meanwhile, the station will also serve as a stop for Amtrak’s Northeast Regional trains. Additionally, Amtrak has invested approximately $2 million into the station for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements, which will begin this year.