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Show demolish the depot is short-sighted, that a broader range of considerations should be reviewed before such a final and irretrievable action is taken. 1. The depot is architecturally significant (see attached). As it has been determined to be eligible for the National Register, tax incentives for renovation would be available to the railroad or to any other private investor who wished to purchase the building. 2. If the railroad wished to retain ownership of the depot, it could house its dispatcher and other offices in the depot, and rent or lease the additional space for offices, restaurants, etc.; the income would offset the operating and maintenance expenses, the tax benefits would assist.in the renovating and upgrading expenses. 3. It Union Pacific did not want to retain ownership of the depot, it could sell the building to a private investor. (It is not possible for the City of Milford to purchase or maintain the building at this time.) The railroad could then lease space from the new owner for the needed offices, or construct its own bui~ding for these purposes nearby. 4. There has not been a profeSsional and thorough examination of the depot by a qualified restoration architect. The staff architect for the State Historic . Preservation Office, on a visit several months ago, determined that the building is baSically sound although obviously in need o~ upgrading and repair. 5. The depot cannot be moved. 6. While understanding the opinion of Union Pacific regarding its liability due to the proximity of the depot to the railroad tracks, we feel that a solution to this problem can surely be found: for instance, the tracks could be moved or a secure fence or wall could be constructed between the tracks and the depot (with access provided for Amtrak passengers). According to a railroad employee in Milford, the tracks are approximately 75 feet from the depot. There are already examples of combined raiiroad-and-other-uses in Utah (Denver & Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City, Union Pacific Depot in Ogden)·where prOximity to the tracks has not been a problem. 7. Due to present and projected development interests in the Milford area, and the attendant need for office space, housing, restaurants, etc., theICe is cer- tain to be a demand for exactly the kind of commercial/retail space that could be provided in the depot. - if the MX system is not constructed, Milford's population is expected to double within ten years; if (perish forbid) the MX goes ahead, the population increase will happen much more rapidly. - Milford has received .funding for a water supply/treatm~nt project that will serVe a population of up to 5,000. - in addition to interests connected with aerospace, mining and mineral interests are making inquiries, and Utah Power and Light has con- - 2- |
