SWEETWATER-Work is expected to begin in 2013 on the train station/depot replica in downtown Sweetwater.

In the fall of 2012, the city was awarded a grant toward building the train station replica, which will serve as a downtown visitors center with public restrooms. Mayor Doyle Lowe said recently the paperwork is moving relatively quickly on the project and the city hopes to put the project out for bid this summer.

Excitement is building for the project and what it could mean for Sweetwater.

"It will be a big boost to the economy," Lowe said.

The mayor said while festivals and events have been big in Sweetwater recently, the city has missed out on the visitors that tour buses bring. Lowe said the buses don't stop downtown because there are not public restrooms.

But once the train station is completed, Lowe believes the buses will stop bringing thousands of new visitors each year.

See full story in the Wednesday, Jan. 2, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.