(erielack) Marion, Ohio

["jdent1_@_optonline.net" <jdent1@optonline.net>]

From the Marion (OH) Star=2E=2E=2E

MARION -- Much like the railroads it formerly served, the restoration of
the Marion Union Station just keeps chugging along=2E=20

Formerly tabbed a showplace and the most modern railroad station in Ohio,
the building became a place of disrepair after the end of passenger servic=
e
in 1972=2E It was boarded up and left to deteriorate, said Gus Judy, a mem=
ber
of the Marion Union Station Association board=2E=20

With the organization of several members of the community to "Save the
Station," the facility was purchased in 1986 for $67,000=2E The purchase w=
as
made possible by individual donations and the assistance of a local bank,
Judy said=2E=20

Since the purchase, the organization has held fund-raisers and applied for=

grants to restore the building=2E=20

"We're probably 80 percent complete in the restoration," Judy said=2E=20

To help augment expenses incurred with the ongoing renovations, the
association will host its annual fall chicken barbecue 11 a=2Em=2E to 3 p=2E=
m=2E
Sunday at the station=2E It will be catered by Country Caterers who will
barbecue 500 chicken halves=2E=20

The menu is 1/2 barbecue chicken, potato salad, hickory smoked beans and
roll=2E The cost is $6=2E Carry outs will be available=2E The event will b=
e held
rain or shine=2E=20

In addition to the chicken barbecue, Joe Slanser said association members
will give tours and demonstrations of the completely refurbished and
working model of the old fashioned sempahore signaling system and a pistol=

grip machine for changing signals as well as other items of interest in th=
e
historic building=2E=20

"We have a number of displays that are unique," Slanser said, "and this is=

one of them=2E The semaphore is interlocked with another machine to preven=
t
someone pulling one lever when another was engaged=2E"=20

Previous fund-raising efforts have helped refurbish restrooms, remove old
paint, install a new heating and cooling system, refurbish the large
passenger waiting room, completely restore the telegraph room and two year=
s
ago move the AC tower to MUSA property and restore it to its 1960
appearance=2E The most recent project completed was a new tile roof over t=
he
Model Railroad building using a Community Block Development Grant and
association monies to complete the $35,000 project=2E=20

The next big project the association hopes to undertake is the restoration=

of a 16-foot-by-16-foot stained glass skylight above the main lobby, said
Todd Miller, president of the association=2E=20

Miller said the skylight is about 20 percent intact and could take up to a=

year to clean up=2E He estimates the cost to be $25,000 to repair and
restore=2E=20

The association rents out the depot and also the model railroad building
for meetings, receptions and banquet dinners also as a means to help with
restoration expenses=2E=20

Brenda Donegan: 740-375-5150 or bdonegan_@_nncogannett=2Ecom=20

Originally published Thursday, October 3, 2002




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