Congressman Dennis Moore to Visit

Congressman Dennis Moore, whose district includes a portion of Lawrence, will visit the city’s historic Amtrak Station at 1:00 pm on June 29 for discussions on its future and the future of passenger rail service in Kansas. The Congressman will hear from representatives of Depot Redux, the local organization formed to promote restoration of the depot, as well as officials of Amtrak, the Burlingon Northern Santa Fe Railway (which owns the building), and the City of Lawrence.

“We are delighted to host Congressman Moore, who has been very supportive of expansion of passenger rail services, and to show him the Lawrence depot,” said Carey Maynard-Moody, chairperson of Depot Redux. “This depot, the finest example of Mid-Century Modern architecture in the area, serves his constituents every day.”

At the request of Depot Redux, the City of Lawrence has requested that the Burlington Northern Santa Fe transfer the depot into public ownership. City ownership will facilitate listing the 1955 building on the National Register of Historic Places (for which it has already been declared eligible). This, in turn, could make additional state and federal funds available for restoration.

Specifically, participants will discuss with Congressman Moore the potential use of federal Transportation Enhancement Act funds to repair and restore historic features of the station. Recently, Amtrak announced that federal stimulus funds will be made available for accessibility improvements, including complete reconstruction of the station’s platform.

“We’re proud to be able to show Congressman Moore all the progress that’s been made in keeping the depot clean, maintained, and staffed to assist Amtrak passengers,” said Maynard-Moody. “But more federal help is needed in order to completely restore the building and prepare it for another fifty years of serving rail passengers, including Congressman Moore's constituents.”

Since its formation earlier this year, Depot Redux has worked to beautify the station through volunteer cleanup days, landscaping installations, and to staff the building for train arrivals and departures. The group is also working with Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (the building’s owner), and the City of Lawrence to develop ownership and maintenance agreements that would insure the preservation of the historic depot and promote its best use.

The event is free and open to the public, although there will be no opportunity for questions/answers. Anyone is invited to attend.