The Moline Historic Preservation Commission is making "one last effort" to save a 115-year-old train depot. That follows the announcement this week from the Illinois Department of Transportation, that it will not pay to move the depot on River Drive, to make way for the new I-74 bridge.
Commission member Barb Sandberg says the depot was built in 1900 and is currently owned by the City of Moline. In 2008, the state moved to demolish the depot, and the Historic Preservation Commission has been working since then to find a new owner.
The depot must be moved so on-and-off ramps can be built for the new bridge. And Sandberg says Illinois' lack of a state budget has played a major role in the decision to destroy the depot, instead of paying to relocate it.
She says the state has $400 million in reserve for the bridge, and thinks $500,000 of that could easily be used to save the depot. But because the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency approved demolition seven years ago, the state is refusing to pay.
But, Sandberg hasn't given up yet. She has meetings all week, and hopes to salvage at least parts of the depot if it has to be destroyed-- including the historic clock on front of the building, which she would like to see displayed at the new passenger rail station.
The I-DOT is now scheduled to ask for bids for the demolition next spring.