by David Chapman
Staff Writer
They’ve been used for office meetings, tailgating, private parties, hosting clients and simply a place to get away, but Bill Sistare hopes to see more people come all aboard the rail cars and cabooses at Adams Street Station.
Located 300 yards southeast of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the lot is filled with 25 differently sized, styled and colored rail cars on pieces of track that have caught the attention of many a passerby, but they aren’t fully utilized.
Since it was launched just before the city hosted the Super Bowl in 2005, Sistare has managed the property as well as owned one of the cars himself. But his history with the project and trains in general goes back much further, as he founded a company that refurbished and restored rail cars for railroads.
The idea for Adams Street Station came from a concept in his native Columbia, S.C., where rail cars are a hotbed of entertainment and activity for University of South Carolina football games. The Cockabooses — aptly named after the school’s Gamecock mascot — are where it’s at.
“The concept has been extremely popular up there (in Columbia),” said Sistare, “and I think it can and will work here, too.”
The biggest difference between the two locales is that Columbia is a college town with a college atmosphere, he said, but there’s no lack of activity around the Station. He said more than 250 Sports Complex functions a year combined with other celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) mean there is no shortage of events.
In addition, Sistare believes the cars have a function business and legal professionals haven’t considered: office space.
Of the 25 on the property, only eight have been sold. Sistare gets numerous calls and inquiries daily from interested parties, but the down economy has been a large factor in the no-decision.
The individual parlor cars and cabooses range from $165,000–$220,000, both unfurnished and furnished, and can have bathrooms, kitchens, and even bedrooms. Even with the capability to sleep on board, you can’t live in them, said Sistare.
At one time, they were rented out to individuals, said Sistare, but the cost of cleaning and upkeep wasn’t cost effective.
One owner who hopped on board couldn’t be happier with the investment.
Ray Solomon, owner of Solomon Ventures, along with his family bought one of the cars during last year’s Jaguars season and holds monthly business meetings and family functions as well as tailgating during football games.
“I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in Jacksonville,” said Soloman, who also referred to it as his personal “man cave” in a testimonial.
Sistare hopes others will be let in on the secret, but like other business owners knows the economy getting back on track will be a huge factor for investors.
“I hope it’s sooner (rather) than later,” he said.
For more information on Adams Street Station, go to www.adamsstreetstation.com or call Sistare at 923-6999
356-2466