A committee has been formed at the Heinz School to research how an abandoned train station in Wilkinsburg can be renovated and used to benefit the community. The committee is funded anonymously with a $10,000 grant and will be conducting research to determine how the building could best be used to benefit the community. Some recent suggestions have been a jazz museum, restaurant, or a café says a University press release.

Wilkinsburg, a suburb of Pittsburgh established in 1887, had a bustling train station in the early 1900s. However, it is now run down, and stands empty. Wilkinsburg was an economically distressed district until 1998. Because of the train station’s historic relevance to the city and community, the aforementioned Carnegie Mellon Heinz School graduate students has taken a great interest in seeing the building back in its original glory.

The committee will be conducting a survey of Wilkinsburg residents. This survey can also be found at http://www.wilkinsburgtrainstation.org. Local residents can voice their opinions about potential uses for the building.

Sean Roberts, the head of the committee, said in a prepared statement,“Our research will show what the community will support in that location and hopefully lead to the redevelopment of the building.” The committee hopes to bring a new breath of life to Wilkinsburg as the station did almost 100 years ago. They believe that the building will aid in the redevelopment of downtown Wilkinsburg and spurn new interest in the area.