(rshsdepot) Lawrence, KS

["Jim Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

-From the Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal...

Plan may breathe new life into depot

By Andrea Albright
The Capital-Journal

LAWRENCE -- Conductor Steve Powers remembers a time when the train station
near downtown Lawrence bustled with passengers.

"It used to be that we had lots of college students," he said. "I used to
get so tired of unloading bicycles. We still get a few at the end of the
year."

But Powers, who works for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in an office
within the depot, said the students who infrequently ride the Amtrak
passenger trains that pass through town today haven't been enough to keep
the historic station vibrant.

In an effort to preserve the classic 1950s structure and utilize its central
location at 413 E. 7th, Lawrence officials have begun seeking grants to
study how the city might use the depot as a transportation hub.

Last week, the Great American Station Foundation awarded the city a $2,500
planning grant that they hope will be seed money to look into revitalizing
the depot and bringing it back into use.

"While this grant only scratches the surface of the total funding required,
we see it as a strategic investment," said Hank Dittmer, president of the
Great American Station Foundation. "Projects like this often trigger
additional economic development in the station area as well."

Lawrence Mayor Mike Rundle, said city commissioners had discussed bringing
train, taxi, local and long-distance bus service to the station. The
"multi-modal" station would act not only as a passenger depot, but also as a
hub for "The T," Lawrence's new bus service that has struggled for space in
the downtown district.

Rundle said he believed the grant would have been more if the city owned or
leased the station. As it stands, the depot is owned by Amtrak, who rents
part of the space to BNSF.

However, he said, the money would be enough to begin the process of
preservation in an area of the city that is sometimes overlooked.

"In terms of culture and history, East Lawrence is under-recognized," Rundle
said. "People from the outside come in and easily recognize the asset that
it is."

Ardys Ramberg, president of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, said
the organization had given a qualified go-ahead to the depot's
revitalization. However, Ramberg said quite a bit of consideration had to be
given to the station's neighbors if the city decided to turn the station
into a transportation hub.

"More activity in that area would impact the neighbors close by," she said.
"I think we have to look at the greater good. We should be rejoicing, but
all of the other ramifications have to be considered as well."

Powers said he would like to see more activity at the station, and a
centralized transportation hub could be just the thing to return the station
to its former glory.

"There used to be 12 clerks in this room in the late 1970s," he said. "It
was a big deal back then."

------------------------------