Developers are in talks with the City of Newton to renovate the town’s 96‑year‑old train station, a project that could bring new housing, commercial space and community amenities to a historic downtown landmark.

According to KWCH, the station opened in 1930 and originally housed a restaurant on the first floor and dormitory rooms for railroad workers on the second floor. Today the building remains locked and is only opened for a brief two‑to‑three‑hour window between midnight and 3 a.m., leaving the interior largely unused while trains continue to pass by.

Bruce Rowley, the property developer leading the effort, told city commissioners that the structure’s “bones are in great shape” and that much of the original fabric has been preserved. Rowley sees the former upstairs dormitory as an asset that could be repurposed for multifamily housing. He also envisions a permanent farmers market pavilion on the site and a new building that could serve as a hotel, with plans to eventually expand across the tracks onto an adjacent city‑owned lot.

While no formal agreement has been signed, Rowley said the public’s reaction to the proposal has been positive. He emphasized that any redevelopment would need to address public infrastructure, safety and accessibility to ensure the project’s success.

The next step is for Rowley and his partners to continue negotiations with city officials and seek commission approval for a final deal that would allow the historic station to be revitalized for modern use.

Sources: kwch.com