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(rshsdepot) Springfield, IL
From the Springfield State-Journal.
Bernie Wagenblast
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
City plans to use TIF funds for Amtrak station upgrade aesthetics, rider
increase play role in renovation
By TIM LANDIS BUSINESS EDITOR Published Thursday, April 17, 2008
Steady double-digit increases in passenger numbers — the total reached nearly
142,000 in the last federal fiscal year — are only the statistics behind
plans to update Springfield’s Amtrak station. There’s also the matter of first
impressions for the city.
“It’s a gateway. More than anything, with the number of people taking
Amtrak, we want to have a suitable environment for people who take the train,” said
city economic development director Mike Farmer.
A cost has not been determined, but Farmer said the city plans to contribute
money from a downtown tax increment financing district to help pay for
improvements to the 100-plus-year-old station. Plans range from restoring oak
passenger benches to repaving a parking lot that an architect on the project
described as “a mess.”
Another 20 or so parking spaces are in the works to ease chronic parking
congestion.
Springfield architect Bruce Ferry, who worked on the last station-renovation
project more than a decade ago, said, in addition to updating facilities, the
restoration will soften the concrete and brick starkness of the station,
using landscaping and period lighting consistent with a downtown historic
district.
“It’ll be cleaned up, repainted and the old oak benches restored, but we’re
going to retain most of the historical quality of the station,” said Ferry,
who described himself as an “occasional” customer of Amtrak.
“The most noticeable change will be the parking lot. It will have new
lighting and a new overlay. It’s a mess,” said Ferry.
On-time trains are usually the first response when passengers are asked for
an improvement wish list. Amtrak, by the way, counts a train as “on time” if
it is within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure or arrival.
Beyond punctual trains, outdoor seating, clean bathrooms, maybe a snack
counter, better lighting, more parking and storage lockers often make the list.
“When the trains are delayed and the weather’s nice, it would be nice if you
could sit outdoors,” said Ellen King of Springfield, who estimated her
family travels Amtrak between Springfield and Chicago at least twice a month.
“Our daughter works in Chicago, and I can get to her front door using public
transportation, which is just beautiful,” said King.
Even as she waited just before noon this week for a train that was suppose to
arrive at 10:30 a.m., King said she has learned to adjust to the uncertainty
of Amtrak schedules.
“I’m pretty self-sufficient. I have two books, I have leftover Chinese from
last night, I have blankets, and I have pillows,” said King.
Springfield native Richard Winner said the train station was a downtown hub
during his childhood. He and his wife, Judy, return to the city about once a
year from their home in Virginia, and Winner said the appearance of the
station has suffered the last few years.
“It has improved a little, but for a long time, there was a lot of riffraff
around here,” said Winner, who added that he still prefers train stations to
airport terminals.
“It’s just become such a hassle, and you never know when your flight is
going to be canceled,” he said.
Judy Winner quickly added, “You don’t want to go through O’Hare (in
Chicago). It’s a nightmare.”
Joe Sullivan may anticipate the renovation more than most. Sullivan plans to
retire this fall after 41 years at the Springfield station, most recently as
station agent.
“I hope they have it done before I retire, but I don’t know that it will be,”
he said.
Larger passenger numbers were expected after the number of trains was
increased on each of the state-subsidized routes in 2006, but there are no signs
the pace will slow anytime soon. Ridership for the six months begun last Oct. 1
was up by more than 20 percent on all three Amtrak corridors in Illinois — 23
percent on the Chicago-St. Louis and Chicago-Quincy lines, and 22 percent on
the Chicago-Carbondale line.
Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said details of the station renovation are up
to the city and station owner, Union Pacific Railroad.
As for that “other” goal, improving on-time performance — only 60 percent of
trains are on time now — he acknowledged the carrier has work to do.
“Our goal (for the fiscal year) is 80 percent, so we know we’re behind,” he
said.
Tim Landis can be reached at 788-1536.
Riding that train
Busiest Amtrak stations in Illinois (federal fiscal year ended Sept. 30,
2007)
Total passengers and percentage increase from previous year
Chicago: 2,774,651; 9.6 percent
Bloomington-Normal: 151,376; 47.3 percent
Springfield: 141,936; 28.7 percent
Champaign-Urbana: 129,959; 51.1 percent
Carbondale: 96,981; 26.2 percent
Statewide: 3,888,577; 15.7 percent
State subsidies paid to Amtrak
Fiscal 2006: $12.1 million
Fiscal 2007: $24.2 million
Fiscal 2008: $28 million
Fiscal 2009: $28 million (proposed)
The Springfield station
Chicago and Alton Railroad erected first station on the site in 1855. Current
station built in about 1903. Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad operated the
station at the time of Amtrak startup in 1971. Amtrak now leases the space from
Union Pacific Railroad.
“The iron horse is panting and impatient to carry him everywhere.” A Civil
War-era quote from Abraham Lincoln included on a dedication plaque from a 1949
construction project.
A mural above the ticket counter depicts GM&O routes in late 1940s,
including the official seals of states served: Illinois, Alabama, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri and Mississippi.
Renovation plans
Repave parking lot, expand track-side canopy, restore passenger benches,
repaint, landscape, improve handicapped accessibility of bathrooms, and install
period-style exterior lighting. About 20 parking spaces to be added in a
separate project just east of the existing lot, bringing the total to about 60.
What’s next?
Architects have begun working on preliminary drawings, with plans for a
bid-letting in late spring or early summer and the start of construction in early
fall. The city of Springfield plans to use funds from a downtown tax
increment financing district to help pay for the work.
Sources: Amtrak, Illinois Department of Transportation and archives from The
State Journal-Register
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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1713
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org