The City of Braidwood, Ill., undertook a recent effort to move its historic railroad depot just off Route 66 after a nearby grocery store needed the land for extra parking.
However, since the proposed move to a spot across the street from City Hall, some other problems in the depot have popped up, reports the Braidwood Journal.
Grygiel said once the depot was moved, problems with the building made themselves known, forcing the city to plan for additional rehab and maintenance work that weren’t originally part of the move. Grygiel said city’s goal is to get the depot onto a new foundation and make sure it is stable. […]
The city has already sunk $57,000 into moving the depot, as well as more than $100,000 to purchase the lot at 111 Center St. But city officials say that despite a $30,000 contribution from Exelon and an additional $5,000 from the Braidwood Area Historical Society (BAHS), the costs to rehab the building and make it suitable for use will likely top out at well over $100,000. That’s more than city officials originally estimated, including extra money for permits to move the depot over the railroad, to move wires, and to pay for overtime for Braidwood and state police to oversee the move.
There also are issues about the depot’s ultimate purpose once it is settled into its new location. The city wants it to be a museum and visitors center. But other parties, including the local historical society and American Legion chapter, are also interested in using the building as a headquarters.
Until a decision is made about the building’s purpose and future maintenance, it will continue to sit on the back of a construction truck.