Boulder's Union Pacific Depot on the Move Again
By Margaret Foster | Online Only | Mar. 20, 2008
Boulder's train station, built in 1890, has seen greener pastures. In 1973, it was moved to an undeveloped area, but since then, a shopping center has sprung up around the city landmark, leaving it in a sea of asphalt.
Now, to accommodate developers' plans to expand the nearby Whole Foods, the city is planning to move the Union Pacific Depot next month. The move has been a long time coming, says Brad Power, redevelopment director for the city of Boulder.
"Over the years there has been a lot of conversation about where to put the depot as a historical asset rather than in the parking lot of a shopping center," Power says.
Last year city officials decided to move the 3,800-square-foot depot to a site it co-owns across the street. Regency Retail Partners, which owns the commercial center, will pay $135,000 toward the $670,000 relocation. The city will move and store the structure until it decides the best use for it, Power says. "There needs to be community and public fundraising effort to figure out how best to restore it, what you use it for," Power says.
The Boulder Jaycees rescued the building in 1973, when the city was threatening to demolish it, and paid to move it to its current site. Now the group will sell the depot to the city for $10.
In preparation for the move, the city is stabilizing the interior of the depot, which was in bad shape, Power says. "When we discovered the true condition of the building, we realized we had to reinforce the interior."
Although the Union Pacific Depot will be in storage until Boulder settles on its new purpose, "it will not be forgotten in this community," Power says. "There is a long history attached to it."
For more photos, stories, and tips, subscribe to the print edition of Preservation magazine.
Subscribe to the Today's News RSS feed
Comments
Submitted by Ken at: April 3, 2008
I remember the Boulder train station in the mid 1960s; the architecture is interesting. The use options and the need for historic preservation should be explored. Florida has had old train stations turned over to museum associations. I'm sure the community will find a use for this remarkable train station.
Submitted by Eddie at: March 25, 2008
quite interesting...
Submitted by Joe at: March 25, 2008
Great!
Submitted by LInda at: March 22, 2008
There are several train stations near the Light Rail section of Lutherville, MD. The one in Riderville is now a house but some are still on the lines. The Lutherville one is not in use but there is a platform for the train further along. You could do a story about the line of stations. Also, there are lots of stations in use along the Amtrak line from Hartford to New Haven. Most, like Meriden and Berlin, are still in use.