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| ASHLAND, Wisconsin Ashland's historic Soo Line Depot, burned by fire in April 2000, has entered a new phase of restoration - interior construction. In May 2003 Governor Jim Doyle's office approved the three-party contract for the design work on Phase II and also approved authorization to incur grant-eligible costs for a $1 million Department of Transportation TEA (Transportation Enhancement Assistance) grant awarded in 2002 by former Governor Scott McCallum. The TEA grant is awarded to the Ashland Area Development Corporation (AADC) through the municipal sponsor, the City of Ashland. Officials from AADC, the City of Ashland and the Depot Restoration Committee have been at work for months preparing for Phase II, researching and securing historic tax credits and setting up tracking and billing procedures for the TEA grant. Now they're ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work on construction efforts. "We now have the architectural firm of Stanius Johnson on board to begin drawing up plans for interior construction," said AADC Executive Director Frank Kempf. "They're moving very quickly as they know the project well." Stanius Johnson, Duluth, is the architectural firm involved in Phase I, restoration of the roof and exterior of the historic structure." Phase II will pretty much complete the structure and get it ready for occupancy," Kempf said. Preliminary drawings, although subject to change once tenants are on board, show an eating establishment with a bar or coffee shop on the first level, retail and office space on the second level, and office space on the third level. Kempf, architect Kenneth Johnson, and Wisconsin Historical Society project liaison Susan Smith are working together to develop a historic, transportation theme throughout the building and extending to an exterior platform for possible dining. Kempf estimates that architectural plans will be drawn and approved by August 2003, construction bids will be awarded in September, and interior construction will take place through the winter. If all goes according to schedule, Phase II will be complete in May 2004. In addition to completing electrical, heating and air conditioning, new walls and floors will replace the brick framing that now exists. New windows, tuck pointing and the removal of the elevator shaft, the former kitchen addition and metal fire escapes on the exterior of the building will create a building as close to the original historic structure as possible. "As Phase II progresses, we are beginning to actively look at tenants to find the best fit for the building," Kempf said. "We want to have a dining experience and some kind of shopping experience to bring people to the Depot even if they are not going to eat. We also hope to get a single tenant for the third floor space. It could make a really nice office suite." Kempf said interested parties can contact him at AADC, 715.682-8344. Tenant selection and restoration efforts will continue to focus on the goal to preserve the historic Soo Line Depot, develop the Depot as a tourism attraction and gateway to downtown Ashland, restore the Depot to its former grandeur as an historic landmark and cultural and economic center, and develop the Depot as a destination through cultural and heritage tourism. Restoration efforts have been made possible through a $600,000 community fundraising effort, a $499,000 National Park Service Save America's Treasures grant, and a $1 million Wisconsin Department of Transportation grant. Much of the funding for Phase II is from the $1 million federal DOT grant that comes through the State of Wisconsin as part of the Transportation Enhancement Assistance (TEA) grant. The federal grant is an 80-20 percent grant. Kempf said donations will be used for the matching $250,000. The remaining $700-800,000 to complete the project will come from historic tax credits. Kempf said $1 million was put into the historic structure during Phase I, and another $2 million will be needed to complete the project so that it is ready for occupancy. Tenants will find a ready-to-develop historic structure in a prime location. They'll also move into a building with unprecedented public support. Since launching a fund-raising effort in May 2001, the Depot Restoration Committee has raised nearly all of its goal of $600,000 in cash. The in-kind contribution goal of $100,000 was exceeded by $11,000. Fundraising efforts will continue until the $600,0000 goal is attained. A plaque of donors will hang in the restored Depot acknowledging
all donors who made the restoration possible. To be among supporters,
send a tax-deductible donation to AADC/Depot Restoration Fund, 422 Third
Street West, Ashland, WI 54806. Leslie Hamp PHONE: 715.682.5824 |
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