Council resolution may offer depot support

SANDPOINT — While Amtrak officials mull the fate of Sandpoint’s train station, the City Council is set to vote on a formal resolution of support to keep the historic depot operational.

The depot, which is owned by BNSF Railway, serves Amtrak’s Empire Builder route running from Chicago to Seattle and Portland. The 93-year-old structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the state’s sole Amtrak stop.

Citing access and parking issues, Amtrak officials have raised concerns about the long-term viability of the depot. Amtrak spokesperson Vernae Graham said company officials are discussing the possibility of relocating the stop and will announce their decision Monday.

“We’re looking at all aspects of the station,” she said. “The ability for emergency vehicles to access the station, as well as the facility itself. There’s a whole host of things that go into this and all of those aspects are being reviewed at this particular time.”

Councilwoman Carrie Logan recently introduced a resolution asking Amtrak to maintain its presence at the depot.

“The Sandpoint City Council strongly requests that Amtrak maintain the Sandpoint Train Station in Sandpoint, Idaho as a working train station with no less than the twice daily stops that are currently made and that they use the funds allocated to them by the Idaho Transportation Department  to assist with the restoration of the station,” the resolution reads.

Logan said there are countless reasons for keeping the station at its current location.

“We need to do it because of its historic value, its economic value, the transportation culture it’s a part of and because past city efforts have shown — as evidenced by the Sand Creek Master Plan — that the train station is an important part of our community,” she said.

Aric Spence, who chairs the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission’s depot subcommittee, has been in contact with Amtrak officials, various local business interests and area politicians in an effort to keep the station operational. He said the depot is a valuable piece of Sandpoint history and, with a little work, has the potential to be an even bigger asset to the community.

Spence said if it is properly restored and utilized, the depot could draw more people to downtown businesses. He said the facility is large enough to accommodate a mixed-used component, such as a museum or even a restaurant.

“I would just like to see it as more of a business hub or a hub that actually helps promote the downtown businesses,” he said. “That’s what I’m really after right now. I hate seeing businesses leave downtown. I want downtown to really be vibrant, and one way to do that is via train travel.”

Recent leaks in the depot’s roof have caused parts of the ceiling to sag or fall on the floor, making the station unsafe for the the public, according to Spence. Until fixed, passengers will not be able to wait inside.

The council will vote on the resolution at is July 15 meeting.