Despite rainfall issues with the current roof repairs, progress on the Staples Historic Depot project is taking place.

Staples Historical Society members learned this past week that Amtrak, using funds from the federal stimulus package, has agreed to make improvements at the Staples Station. The plans include:

o New wheelchair lift and enclosures

o New pad for lift and sidewalk to platform

o Improvements to walkway and crossing to outbound platform

o New accessible parking stalls

About a month ago Amtrak officials visited Staples to look over the depot site for potential handicap accessible projects that could be funded under terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Staples proposal had to compete with other suggested projects nationwide, with funding allotted for the four items listed.

The timing of the Amtrak project is uncertain and will not take place for at least two months, as Amtrak will first contract with a management firm to oversee the design and construction.

Meanwhile, work on the roof replacement project is underway, with the MG Carlson firm of Brainerd replacing some roof rafters and installing new fascia boards around the roof line. Still to come are replacing the shingles and other repairs to the century old roof.

The project has been delayed slightly due to water infiltrating the roof of the depot since June 16, when the first of several June rains hit.

The project is being handled by the Minnesota Department of Transportation as it is a historical mitigation project created by the Highway 10 route taking out historically sensitive buildings. MnDOT awarded the contract to MG Carlson, with the firm of McDonald Mack Architects overseeing the project.

The rain and resulting moisture problems inside gave rise to arguments over who was responsible, with the building owner, the local historical society, partly on the sidelines. In the end, the state has okayed an additional $8,000 for the contractor to mop up, clean up debris and rectify other moisture issues.

Carlson Construction has since covered the roof with a temporary material to make it weather tight. There are large fans at the second floor.

The finished building will have fascia and soffits painted either a darker (chocolate) brown or a lighter (butterscotch) brown. Plans are to use the same colors, which appear to be close to the colors used on the depot in 1909, to paint the doors and also as the accent colors on the window frames.

This past week work was taking place on rafter and rafter tail repairs. Some 25 rafter tails had been listed for repairs in the specs. After the fascia boards were removed, another 46 were found to need either repair or replacement, which was somewhat expected.

The east end of the depot site has been designated as the staging area for Carlson Construction. Local residents are asked not to park at this end, with all visitors parking to be at the west end of the building.

People wishing to board or greet Amtrak trains should park at the west end of the depot and generally use the depot entrance doors at the south side of the building.