(rshsdepot) East Lawrence, KS

[I95BERNIEW_@_aol.com]

From the Lawrence Journal. 
Bernie Wagenblast 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
Depot dreams  
Transferring ownership of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe depot would be a  
good deal for the railroad and not such a good deal for the city and its  
taxpayers.  
June 24, 2008  
There is no doubt that the east Lawrence depot that connects the city to  
Amtrak rail services needs some work.  
It is, however, extremely unlikely that acquiring the building in hopes of  
improving and perhaps restoring it as a historical structure is a good  
investment for the city, at least for now.  
A dedicated group of local preservationists is scheduled to talk to Lawrence  
city commissioners tonight about the depot’s future. Representatives of the  
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, which owns the depot, have indicated 
they  might consider donating the structure to the city if they were allowed to 
retain  some office space there. Accepting that donation would give the city 
control  over the building, its potential renovation and perhaps a historical  
designation.  
It also would open the door, however, to many costs including the cost to  
make the building comply with the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities  
Act and increased costs for liability insurance coverage. Federal funds might 
be  obtained to help with a renovation, but a local match likely would be 
required  on what is sure to be a costly project.  
It’s easy to see why BNSF would be willing to give up this building. The  
transfer would make all of the depot’s delayed maintenance issues, not to  
mention future maintenance costs, someone else’s problem.  
It’s more difficult to see any reason the city would want to take on that  
responsibility, especially when it is facing so many pressing infrastructure  
issues of its own.  
Proponents see the depot as a potential historical redevelopment project,  
something that would help anchor an older neighborhood and perhaps feed tourist  
traffic in Lawrence. Although the BNSF depot is a good example of the  
architecture of the 1950s, it doesn’t even approach the architectural charm of  the 
Union Pacific Depot in North Lawrence.  
It’s also hard to imagine the depot serving anything more than a utilitarian  
role in the community because of its size and location. It isn’t big enough 
to  house most businesses, and its location isn’t the most desirable.  
The bottom line is that there is really no reason for anyone to go to the  
depot unless they are meeting one of two trains that pass through Lawrence  
either in the middle of the night or the predawn hours. Unfortunately, that  gives 
railroad officials little incentive to properly maintain the facility.  
Perhaps that will change. If gasoline prices continue to rise, rail travel  
may become a more attractive option. If the effort to renew the Northern Flyer  
route to Wichita and south to Texas succeeds, it would at least double the  
reasons for people to visit the depot.  
The city should play an active role in encouraging BNSF officials to address  
deferred maintenance at the depot. However, until there are firm plans either 
 for increased rail service there or some strong alternative use for the 
depot,  the city should steer clear of financial responsibility for the building. 



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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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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1745
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org