To the editor,

What is 127 years old, big, and beautiful? If you answered "The Depot in the Park!" you are right. If upon hearing "depot" your reaction was "That old thing!" read on.

You no doubt remember the appeals earlier in the spring for someone to step forward and save the 1880 train depot from the wrecking ball. And if you followed the story you know that in April the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance presented a formal request to the city to assist in securing the depot by moving it to Lions Park. This has been accomplished and now we are in the planning stages for the next step. The Alliance, in close partnership with a helpful and enthusiastic city staff and other notables around town, has been preparing a funding request that should bring federal funds to the table.

On Tuesday, September 11, the City Council will be hearing a project update and a request to approve a resolution to sponsor a federal funding application that, if granted, will ensure the Depot's long term survival and use as a new Blair icon - The Depot in the Park.

The Depot in the Park is figuratively and literally at a crossroads. Community leadership must now consider a proposal that will commit the city to a plan of modest financial obligation (not more than 20% of the total cost of rehabilitation - to be reduced by fundraising by the Alliance). Federal funding is available that, if secured, will provide 80% of the cost of rehabilitation. And I say if the feds are going to spend around six million dollars in Nebraska, in 2008, on similar types of projects, then Blair should get a piece of that pie. I would not want to begrudge others their due but if Blair doesn't come up with a good use for this kind of funding, someone else will. So I propose that we not send this money to Elkhorn, Beatrice, or Scottsbluff for that matter. Good towns all, I am sure. But if they are snoozing at the switch, Blair may well take home the prize. Figuratively speaking, if we take the wrong turn on this funding crossroad and miss out on this type of funding, future progress in rehabilitating the depot may well be slow and painful.

Literally, the old train depot resides at the south side of Lions Park and smack dab in the middle of another crossroad. The confluence of the old Lincoln Highway (Nebraska Street, now part of a state wide promotion know as the NebraskaByWay system), the rail bed of the old Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha rail line, and the site of the future extension of the Deerfield bicycle/hiking trail. This crossroad makes the Depot in the Park a jewel in the crown of the Blair trail system and a great setting for a historic interpretation center that will serve as a comfortable gathering place in which we can learn a little more about our town history and the history of the various transportation routes that in fact represent the cradle in which Blair was nurtured in its early days.

I invite all readers to visit the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance website, BlairHistory.com to learn more about this and other items of note. I also encourage all interested citizens to attend the Tuesday City Council meeting to learn more about, and show support for, this worthwhile project.

I'm pulling for the Depot! Are you?

Tom Kranda
President Blair Historic Preservation Alliance