(rshsdepot) Burlington, IA

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

From The Hawk Eye.

Original article and photo at:


Bernie Wagenblast
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Depot holds promise 

By NICHOLAS BERGIN

nbergin_@_thehawkeye.com

Constructed in 1944 at a cost of $300,000, the downtown Burlington depot
opened for the first time with great fanfare.

Burlington Mayor Max A. Conrad received keys to the depot as a ceremonial
gesture from CB&Q Railroad.

Residents and travelers marveled at the modern 22,00-square-foot, two-story
station with its Wisconsin fieldstone exterior. The building was constructed
to replace the previous Victorian-style depot, which was destroyed by fire.

Built during a time when most building supplies were rationed because of
World War II, the depot showed a deep commitment of permanency on behalf of
the railroad.

At that time, no one could have predicted five decades later the city would
own a vacant building, which had slowly deteriorated under the railroad's
watch.

The restaurant where people once purchased food is long gone, and in August
1993, due to flood concerns from the rising Mississippi River, ticket sales
where moved to Mount Pleasant and have never returned.

The building sits empty and lifeless, except for twice a day when Amtrak
passengers briefly walk through its hall.

However, those passing by or through the depot recently may have noticed
something different about the 65-year-old building, a white sign facing Main
street with black letters boldly declaring "This Building Matters."

May is National Preservation Month and members of the Heritage Trust for
Preservation and Restoration of Historic Burlington placed the sign and two
others to draw attention to significant historical structures in Burlington.


The other two buildings are future site of Preservation Station, 213 Valley
St., and the downtown Capitol Theater.

"The signs are intended to focus on structures that are really important to
preserve. And there are a lot of those in Burlington, but rather than try to
catalogue all those, which would be very difficult because there
unfortunately are so many, we thought we'd focus on three," said Heritage
Trust President Keith Schulz.

As a city-owned building, depot renovations likely will need the support of
residents to reach fruition.

Renovation and finding a re-use for the depot have long been a priority of
the Burlington City Council but often taken a back seat to other projects,
including renovation of Memorial Auditorium, construction of a new public
library and the commercial redevelopment of Flint Hills Manor.

Within the past six months, however, there has been a renewed interest in
the depot at City Hall.

"We need to give it some attention. It is in some ways a front door to the
city. There are some people who pass though there using Amtrak. I think it
is important for us to get that public area cleanup and fixed up and looking
nice to put forth a good image of the city," City Manager Doug Warden said.

The depot building was selected by the Iowa Association of Architects as one
of the top architectural gems of Iowa for the 21st Century and is on the
National Register of Historic Places, Worden added.

It's importance reaches far beyond downtown Burlington, said Steve Frevert,
executive director of Downtown Partners.

"It's a tremendously important building, both for the community and for the
state and the nation," Frevert said. "It's a really remarkable example of
streamline architecture."

Late last year, Amtrak and city officials pledged to work together to
finding funding to restore the building its former glory.

"We're looking at what grant opportunities might be available and get a
little better handle on what the cost might be to do the common area,"
Worden said.

While there are no city funds or grants earmarked for depot renovation,
officials hope to apply for funding by fall. If grant funding comes through,
renovation could begin as early as next year, Worden said.

Officials have decided to start focusing on renovations to the depot's
common areas, including the restrooms and large waiting room. They hope by
putting their best foot forward they can show the building's potential.

The city recently has had contact from possible office tenants, but first
the building will need a major renovation, of which there are no recent cost
estimates for, Worden said.

A 2006 survey of the depot by Metzger-Johnson Associates of Burlington found
it would require just under $2 million to renovate the second floor and part
of the first floor. Add in renovation of the south end of the lower level
and it would take more than $2 million to fix up the building, Worden said.

"It's in pretty sad shape," he added.

Cosmetically, the building needs to be completely gutted and redone, Worden
said.

Also, it needs all new heating, ventilation and air conditioning units, an
elevator to make the second level handicapped accessible and new windows.

To prevent future flooding, officials want to build a short retaining wall
around the depot.

The biggest hurdle to renovation is financial.

The city must find grants or other funding to bring down the cost of
renovating the building to make the effort financially sound, Worden said.

At one time, a committee of residents called Friends of the Depot cared for
the depot, with the financial help of residents and area businesses.
Committee members renovated public areas, had furniture reupholstered and
held fundraisers.

In the winter, they would put Christmas trees in the windows and string
lights on the steam engine in the side yard.

But in recent years interest faded as promises of reuse and renovation by
elected officials went unfulfilled and members of the committee died.

"Basically that is what happened, loss of interest," said former committee
co-chairwoman Diane Sweeden in an interview Sunday. "I was really
disappointed a lot of them wanted to give it up."

While the committee faded away about five years ago, Sweeden still has fond
memories and high hopes for the depot.

"I'd like it to be used for community gatherings, I'd like to see shops in
there or business offices. ... Of course I'd like to see a ticket agent back
in there. That would be a big thing," Sweeden said. 

The railroad and river helped build Burlington. The depot building is an
important symbol and reminder of Burlington's roots, she said.

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