Built in 1895 by the PRR, this freight house sits obscured and hidden from the mainline behind a fence and row of tall trees. On the other hand, should you find yourself looking for a parking spot at Trader Joe's in Suburban Square in Ardmore, you'll find yourself driving past this relic from the past in the rear parking lot.

Borrowed time?

Kimco Realty, the owner of Suburban Square in Ardmore has been floating plans for expansion at the shopping center, including an addition to the Trader Joe’s store and construction of a new four-level parking garage. Kimco’s attorney, Jamie Jun, explains that the motivation for the project is to keep Suburban Square a vital shopping destination and solve a perennial demand for more parking. Well now - that's hard to argue! 11 parking spots, or preservation of the town's 126 year old ambassador to the past and its connection to the railroad? Hmm...

The Lower Merion Conservancy and the Township eventually encouraged Kimco to reconsider its plan. They suggest that "should Suburban Square and KIMCO find a way not to demolish the shed and do something clever with it on its site, it will be buying a great deal of good will from this board for what you might want to do next.“ Andrea Campisi, a senior planner with the township, mentioned that there has been very preliminary talk about another option: relocating the train shed to the Cynwyd Heritage Trail. It could be placed at the site of the former Barmouth Station on the old rail line, she said. Who would move it, what it would cost and who would pay are all questions that would have to be answered. Another plan proposed was to elevate the structure somewhat on piers, so that it could be used for parking. Given its dimensions, it was estimated it could accommodate nine parking spaces, a loss of two spaces from what Kimco shows on its parking plan for that location....