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RE: Re: (rshsdepot) Great American Station Foundation Names Most Endangered Stations
Henry,
The GASF has changed its mission in the last year or two. But even under its old mission it most likely would have made =
similar choices.
The GASF has never been, nor professed to be, a historical organization. In my opinion, it's agenda is to spread "seed" =
money to towns looking to restore depots for intermodal use. The GASF will not fund a full restoration, rather it gets, =
or keeps, the impetus going until other organizations step in. Many times the other organizations are local governments.=
I looked at thier website today and did not see a list of the GASF sponsers. But in the past major sponsers included Amt=
rak and Greyhound. Its board of directors include former Senator Patrick Moniyhan and Robert Smith, who last month was e=
lected chairman of the board of directors of Amtrak. Obviously both companies benefit from what the GASF is doing.
So I agree with you that they maybe misnamed and are not very interested in preservation unless the resulting restoration=
results in a usuable intermodal facility. Also notice that all the "Most Endangered" received grants - grants that were=
applied for. The GASF does not, to my knowledge, do independent research to decide what are the "endangered stations."
But at the end of the day, anyone who is involved in station restoration can apply for a GASF grant. Its just another so=
urce of funding.
Jim Dent
Original Message:
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From: Blue Moon Network Administrator root_@_net.bluemoon.net
Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 13:18:07 -0500 (EST)
To: rshsdepot_@_lists.railfan.net
Subject: Re: (rshsdepot) Great American Station Foundation Names Most
Endangered Stations
I think it's great to spotlight stations which need work and to promote the
cause, but it seems like that this program has either lost its focus, changed
its mission or is now horribly misnamed.
I have a problem with Orlando (and occasional others here and there) being
named to this list when there is no apparent threat of demolition. Orlando is
obviously not endangered, but somewhat neglected.
Doesn't listing stations such as the Orlando building under the heading of
'Most Endangered' make it hard from some people to take the program seriously?
Could having a station such as Orlando on this 'Most Endangered' list harm
other preservation efforts which are facing the imminent destruction of their
beloved stations and historical buildings because 'Most Endangered' no longer
implies any urgency or action? To me the most endangered are the ones which
could be gone in the very near future and need saving NOW.
I don't know the politics involved or if there are agendas being served here,
but aren't there quite a few stations across the country which are
historically signifigant buildings on the verge of demolition which could be
rescued from oblivion?
I don't want to rain on the GASF's parade, but it just doesn't sit right with
me under the current heading.
Tecate and Roanoake stations seem to fit the bill a little better, Richmond
and Painesville appear to be in somewhat more stable situations for the
moment and not in danger of seeing any wrecking balls over the next few years.
I'm not sure that using Tecate's $1000 "to establish a bi-national heritage
corridor that would include the Tecate station" is a great focus for station
money either.
I think it's great that they're all getting preservation money, I just don't
like the pretense, I think it should be renamed to preserve its integrity.
I'm sure this will invite some flames for not being politically correct or
some other present day BS concept, but I feel that the current naming is
little more than a falsehood.
Henry
J. Henry Priebe Jr. Blue Moon President & Network Administrator
root_@_bluemoon.net www.bluemoon.net - Blue Moon Internet Corp
V.90, X2 & K56flex www.railfan.net - The Railfan Network
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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