Re: (rshsdepot) Burlington, IA

["J. Henry Priebe Jr." <root_@_bluemoon.net>]

The missing URL is:

http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/depot-051109

Henry

J. Henry Priebe Jr.    Blue Moon Internet Corp Network Administrator
www.bluemoon.net       Internet Access & Web Hosting
www.railfan.net        Railfan Network Services

On Tue, 12 May 2009, Bernie Wagenblast wrote:

> >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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> 

=================================
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 #1886
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org