(rshsdepot) Barron, WI

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_home.com>]

link to sketch of depot:
http://images.zwire.com/local/Z/ZWIRE1132/zwire/images/ACF6302.gif

Seek rezoning for depot property

By:Bob Groshong December 08, 2001
Barron News Shield

A New Auburn couple is hoping to preserve and restore the train depot in
Barron.

Rick and Valerie Ellingworth have petitioned the City Council for a rezoning
of the depot property from light industrial to commercial-residential.

The Ellingworths' rezoning application states that they want to open a
coffee shop and follow that with the establishment of an artisan bakery.

They say they also would like to preserve the depot's appearance.


"I like old buildings," Rick Ellingworth said.


Ellingworth said the structure itself is very sound, but the roof will
require some work. Ellingworth plans to rebuild the roof himself.


The interior of the building will be changed some. The Ellingworths would
like to construct upstairs living quarters in the building.


Ellingworth said much of the original flooring is still in good shape; the
only exception is where the roof has leaked at the south side.


Ellingworth said the city will retain an alley between the depot and the
sales barn to the south. If a proposed short line railroad to serve Barron
and Almena becomes a reality, Ellingworth will fence the property off from
the railroad tracks.


The City of Barron had issued condemnation orders for the building; that was
to get Wisconsin Central Railroad to do something with the building. Since
then, Canadian Pacific has purchased Wisconsin Central and plans to abandon
some of its track.

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