Depot renovations in jeopardy

Downtown officials are in a scramble to raise enough money from community donations to finish renovations to the Amtrak depot.

Sedalia Downtown Development Inc. needs to raise about $170,000 by Jan. 31 to complete the $1.2 million project. 

“We need local contributions to finish out our budget,” said Meg Liston, administrator of SDDI.

Officials knew $225,000 in private donations would be needed for the project, and were successful in raising about $50,000. A variety of funding mechanisms are paying for the majority of the renovations, including money from state and federal transportation agencies and a Housing and Urban Development  community development block grant.

“We’ve accessed all the government money we can,” Liston said. “The balance of the money is going to be left to community support.”

 Liston said she thinks most people realize the depot renovations are a “community project” that will help tourism and transportation, in addition to improving the appearance of a gateway to Sedalia from U.S. 65.

“I have a feeling the general community understands, but we haven’t done well with communicating our needs,” Liston said.

The renovations, which are eight years in the making, include construction of SDDI offices, an Amtrak passenger lobby manned by volunteers, OATS public transportation offices with parking on the west end and construction of a bike spur from the depot to the Katy Trail. A 350-foot mechanical, handicap-accessible boarding platform is also included in the improvements.

The property, when completed, would serve as a multi-modal transportation center.

Liston said officials wanted to wait until the improvements were under way before soliciting private donations.

“We felt like we’d be more successful as people can see the progress,” she said.

The SDDI board will have to make tough decisions if the money isn’t raised.

“They are the ones committed to that expense,” Liston said. “I’ll leave it to my board to decide what to do.”

SDDI board member Mary McLaughlin said failure is not an option, or as Susan B. Anthony once put it, “Failure is impossible.”

McLaughlin said she is very concerned about raising the money.

“We just can’t let this go,” she said.

The train depot is, and always has been, a vital part of the community, McLaughlin said.

“I think what’s happened is that the community hasn’t really realized what a struggle this has been,” she said. “I also think there’s a limit to what the downtown merchants can do. This really is a community project. It’s been quite a strain on all of us, and (on) Meg’s time. We are behind it and happy to do it, but we have to reach out to the community.”

Donors of $1,000 or more will be recognized in the Founder’s Plaza, between the east side of the depot and North Ohio Avenue. The plaza is in honor of Sedalia founder Gen. George Smith and the railroad.

“This property really is the property that started Sedalia,” Liston said.

Nearing the start of the Civil War, state funding was stalling for the railroad. Smith “took up the task of growth of the railroad across Missouri,” Liston said. Smith was instrumental in bringing the railroad to Sedalia in three years, just before the Civil War.

The railroad was originally intended to pass through Georgetown, but folks there didn’t see it as significant and the support wasn’t as strong.

“(Smith) actually founded the town based on the railroad’s location,” Liston said.

A monument in Smith’s honor has yet to be established in Sedalia. That’s why the Founder’s Plaza, which is expected to be designated as an official Historic Transportation Site, is being constructed. The plaza will feature greenery and flowers with various kiosks highlighting significant railroad events in connection to Sedalia’s history.

A group is considering erecting a monument in Smith’s honor at the plaza, Liston said.

Donations to the depot renovations can be made at McLaughlin Bros. Furniture Company, 515 S. Ohio Ave., or by mail to SDDI, P.O. Box 820, Sedalia MO, 65301. For more information call SDDI at 827-7388.