The Save the Prosperity Depot initiative is announcing a new partnership in its efforts—and hoping for one more.

The Palmetto Conservation Foundation has agreed to locate its Midlands outdoor center in the future renovated and rehabilitated Prosperity Depot. The non-profit foundation works “to conserve South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources, preserve historic landmarks and promote outdoor recreation through trails and greenways,” according to its mission statement.

Deputy Director Nancy Stone-Collum says her group is excited about the possibilities for its third such center in the state. The group is already in action encouraging regional nature recreation through its Lowcountry and Sandhills centers.

Prosperity’s central location between Greenville and Columbia, along with close proximity to lakes Murray and Greenwood, the Broad, Tyger, Enoree and Saluda rivers and Sumter National Forest are all pluses for the site. Stone-Collum also pointed out that Newberry County has three sections of the Palmetto Trail, another project of her group, and that just since the opening in April of the Pomaria-Peak section “already by far it is the most popular section of the Palmetto Trail.”

Eventually, Stone-Collum says the Palmetto Trail would connect somehow to Prosperity itself.

The Palmetto Conservation Foundation (PCF) is a frequent partner in projects with the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation, which is already heavily involved with the depot effort.

The trust holds the deed for the depot at the moment, and is led by Prosperity resident and native Mike Bedenbaugh. Bedenbaugh points out that the Palmetto Conservation Foundation has historically worked to preserve land, and his organization has concentrated on historic buildings. Often the two groups’ interests coincide.

Bedenbaugh and the many others who have been working to stabilize the depot building and raise money for its rehabilitation are hopeful that there is yet another group that will have common interests in the property.

Andy Hawkins, a founder of the depot effort, and Bedenbaugh went before Prosperity Town Council last week to let them know of new project developments and offer options for a more active role from the town.

With the advent of PCF signing on to occupy roughly 30 percent of the depot once it is renovated, and coming into position to draw eco-tourism dollars to the area, backers want a chance to get it on the county’s capital sales tax project list. The latest list of capital sales tax projects are not at all finalized yet, but the referendum is set to be voted on in November, and deadlines are fast approaching.

Bedenbaugh and Hawkins proposed to council that they would turn over ownership of the depot to the town to gain sponsorship for the list.

Engineering assessments have already been done on the building, and Hawkins said the group is working to make sure the results are in a format acceptable to the Capital Sales Tax Commission for project submission. Architects and contractors are also giving estimates for the proposed work.

The depot backers are pledging to foot all the bills for preparing the project for submission to the county’s scrutiny. In addition, if the depot project were to not make it onto the finalized referendum list, or the referendum did not pass, ownership and responsibility for the project would revert to the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation.

Hawkins said the town would not spend one dime on getting the project ready.

Rehabilitation plans are from top to bottom for the building, including a new roof, new windows and floor. Renovations would include putting in a unisex bathroom and a caterer’s kitchen. The initial construction estimate of $150,000 includes the potential cost of moving the building and putting it on new footings.

Norfolk Southern railroad owns the land the depot is sitting on and current agreements call for it to be moved outside the 50 foot mark of its 100 foot right-of-way. Organizers are still hopeful that requirement might be lifted by the railroad. “Once it’s redone, painted and looking good...” Bedenbaugh said that at that point backers feel they will have their best shot at the railroad reconsidering.

The town’s attorney, Hank Bufkin, agreed that all hope was not lost in keeping the depot on its original spot, “As time goes by, the railroad seems to recognize it has less use for that line.” Bufkin pointed out recent construction projects by Grace Lutheran Church and Wightman United Methodist Church that Norfolk Southern allowed to infringe on that same right-of-way.

Plans are to move the depot to a site along Elm Street at the other end of the town parking lot if the last plea to the railroad fails.

But the depot project, even in Prosperity, will have to get in line with others while requesting capital project sales tax money.

Among the projects up for consideration in Prosperity are: re-outfitting five sewer lift stations; sidewalk projects; putting up lights at the Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys’ fields, tennis courts and at Langford Street Extension; addressing the Forest Hills sewage lagoon and tying that area into a modern sewer system; and renovating the basement of the Civic Center.

To mull its priority list for those projects Prosperity may sponsor for Capital Project Sales Tax Commission consideration, Town Council is set to hold a special meeting Thursday. The meeting is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Town Hall and is open to the public. Also on the agenda is discussing the town’s intent to transfer ownership of the depot.