(rshsdepot) Ashland, WI

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

First phase of Depot restoration nears completion

Steve Tomasko
The Daily Press

With Phase I of the Depot restoration project nearing completion, the move
is on to find tenants for the building.
Almost as soon as the smoke drifted away after an April 1 2000, fire gutted
the building, people have been at work to restore the historic structure.
Since last fall, workers from Wayne Nasi Construction have been working
putting in new flooring, joists and other structural work. They will finish
Phase I with the lifting of the steeple, which should take place in a couple
of weeks. Final shingling of the roof will take place in April or May when
the weather is warmer.
The next phase of the project involves adding plumbing, heating and cooling
systems, electrical work and interior finishing. The Depot Restoration
Project committee's next goal is to get businesses to move into the
building.
Former building owners Mark and Val Gutteter donated the Depot building and
property to the Ashland Area Development Corporation, a non-profit entity
administering the effort to restore the structure as a public/private
partnership. Their goal is to have an economically self-sustaining building
with paying tenants to provide income for utilities and upkeep.
The DRP has held focus groups and other community gatherings to get input on
what kinds of businesses/public facilities should be in the restored Depot.
When finished, the building will have about 1,500 square feet of rental
space in the basement, 3,850 square feet on the first floor, 4,200 square
feet on the second floor and another 1,500 on the third floor, according to
Dale Kupczyk of AADC.
Kevin Stranberg, who's been facilitating the focus groups, said community
input in the process was imperative. About 65 people participated in the
brainstorming and strategizing exercises, he said.
From the discussions, Stranberg said the following prevailing themes
emerged:
* The Depot needs to be a place that uniquely combines public and private
space. It needs to be a gathering place for people of the area as well as
tourists. It is understood that it needs to cash flow -- but it also needs
to be a focal point for a lot of activity such as presentations, festivals,
events, family gatherings, displays.
* The Depot not only needs to pay for its utilities and property taxes -- it
also needs to have funds in order to preserve the structure for generations
to come. It needs an endowment that will insure its viability and its upkeep
for many years to come.
* A restaurant is needed in the structure. It would bring people into the
building, serve as an enhancement of the tourist attraction and bring in
cash flow as an anchor tenant.
There are a number of suggestions on the type of restaurant to be housed in
the Depot. Popular alternatives include: an upscale place similar to The
Depot restaurant; a family diner (possibly an ice cream parlor); and/or a
snack bar and concession stand.
* The Depot needs to serve as a focal point for Ashland, for the downtown
and for the lake. It should be used for local festivals, downtown events and
any other collaborations to bring Ashland, the downtown and the lake
together.
* Options to use space for visitors information would be helpful to increase
its viability as a destination for tourists.
* Embracing history, ecology and ethnicity are important for the Depot
atmosphere. Suggestions include Railroaders' Hall of Fame, Native American
museum, transportation displays, model train exhibits, Bureau of Indian
Affairs offices, interactive shipping and sailing presentations, and
partnerships with the Sigurd Olson Institute and Northland College.
* A formal review process of potential tenants will not only confirm their
financial stability, but create an opportunity to evaluate the tenant's
"match" to the vision of the Depot.
* Flexible space that can be used for a variety of things could be very
helpful in keeping the space viable in the future. This concept may include
movable displays, open multi-purpose spaces and adjacent storage rooms.
To date, the Depot Restoration Project has raised $557,000 towards their
$600,000 goal, which was needed as a match to a $499,000 National Park
Service "Save America's Treasures" grant.
The project was also helped along with a $1.1 million Wisconsin Department
of Transportation grant.
Donations needed
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to AADC/Depot Restoration Fund, 422
Third Street West, Ashland, WI 54806.

=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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