Gettysburg will have a new tour center in 2024.
Demolition crews will destroy Gettysburg Tour Center’s store and ticket counter on Baltimore Street in February so construction can begin on a new facility, Felty Investments Owner Max Felty said Friday. The Gettysburg Tour Center has operated in the same spot since the 1950s. The current building was constructed in the 1960s. Felty expects the new building to open in 2024.
The current tour center is a manufactured cabin structure. Since first built, it received several additions. The building lacks a foundation and modern amenities, Felty said. The new building will be larger and have greater use of space, energy efficiency, and handicapped visitor accessibility, Felty said.
Gettysburg Tour Center owners planned to upgrade the facility in the early 2000s, Felty said. They delayed construction due to The Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center moving from Taneytown Road to Baltimore Pike in 2008.
“I feel the timing is right for reinvestment into the business and the town. The positive return of visitation after our worst year ever in 2020 has given me confidence Gettysburg will remain a popular destination,” Felty said.
The tour center temporarily operates its retail store and ticket counter out of a temporary space located directly across the street from the construction site. Battlefield Bus Tours will depart from the temporary location and the parking lot across the street.
Tour center part of Baltimore Street Revitalization
The new Tour Center is part of Gettysburg’s Baltimore Street Revitalization Project. Main Street Gettysburg is seeking a multi-million grant to install curb bump outs, bus shelters, trees, streetlights, benches, trash receptacles, bicycle racks, and parking kiosks. The road will also be repaved and storm water management will be enhanced by improving street drains and installing rain gardens.
“Plans for the Baltimore Street Revitalization Project have further inspired me to do my part to make sure that the first thing visitors see as they enter the borough of Gettysburg is a welcoming, attractive building situated to guide visitors to a world class experience when visiting Gettysburg,” Felty said.
Main Street Gettysburg is seeking highly-competitive federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability grants to fund the project.
Read about another Baltimore Pike property undergoing a transformation
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
Thanks for sharing this great story Alex!!