(rshsdepot) Mattoon, IL

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

  Mattoon council leases depot to historical society

  BY DAWN SCHABBING

  Journal Gazette Staff Writer

  MATTOON -- A 25-year lease agreement with the Coles County Historical
Society for the use of the Illinois Central Depot was approved by the City
Council Tuesday. The action came after a required public hearing.

  The depot would be leased to the society for $1 a year and a portion of
utilities must be paid for by the society once it occupies the building.
Plans include sub-leasing portions of the building to generate more revenue.
The lease could also be extended for another 10 years, said City
Administrator Richard Underkofler.

  Because the proposal was for more than 20 years, a public hearing was
required by law and the only comments came from Dick Heller, president of
the society.

  Plans for the organization are to improve the depot and eventually set up
a county and railroad museum in rooms to the north of the lobby area
downstairs. On the street level, plans are to use space for some retail
shops. Any revenue that could be generated would be used for the upkeep and
utilities of the building, said Heller.

  "Mattoon has no county seat so our city's identity goes back to the
railroad and that's why this building is so important. This would be an
ideal structure and we feel this would benefit downtown Mattoon," said
Heller.

  The new roof is completed and the next step would be to add an elevator
that would make the building meet standards of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, he said.

  Underkofler said the negotiations have been ongoing for many months. The
past City Council agreed to acquire the building in an effort to help secure
more grants for its renovation. He said the lease agreement is fair for both
the city and the society.

  The city's existing lease with Amtrak remains in this agreement. The city
holds no obligations to improve the facility, as the society is responsible
for the funding the planned improvements.

    Bernie Wagenblast
    Transportation Communications Newsletter
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/





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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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