Train depot offered to city as hub

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 22, 2005 by PERRY SWANSON THE GAZETTE

The owners of a 118-year train depot have offered to sell it to Colorado Springs if the city restores it as a hub for trains and buses.

City officials appeared receptive to the notion of acquiring the property, partly because 80 percent of the cost would be picked up by a federal agency.

The price must be negotiated, and state law permits such haggling to remain secret until final.

Brothers Kenneth and Harlan Ochs have owned the Denver Rio Grande Depot since 1971.

The building houses about 20 office and retail outlets, including Giuseppe's Old Depot Restaurant.

If the city bought the property, it would be used as a hub for city bus routes including the FrontRange Express (FREX) service to Denver, said Transit Services Division Manager Sherre Ritenour.

Eventually it could become a stop on a commuter railroad line along the Front Range.

Harlan Ochs said he hopes selling the property to the city will preserve a historic landmark.

"To us, the history of Colorado Springs is so exciting," he said Tuesday. "It's been a privilege for us to live here and be a part of it."

The depot is on Sierra Madre Street, between Pikes Peak Avenue and Antlers Place.

The Colorado Springs City Council would have to sign off on any deal. Ritenour said the Federal Transit Administration has agreed to pay 80 percent of the price, and the city would pay the rest.

Land records show the property is worth $1.08 million, but that represents its value as retail and office space, not a transportation hub.

City Council members contacted Tuesday were friendly to the idea.

"Obviously one of the reasons it's attractive is its rail access," said Councilwoman Margaret Radford. "If and when FREX ever grows up to be a Front Range commuter train, what a tremendous next step for that historic site. If it all comes to pass, I'm thrilled."

Councilman Scott Hente said he wants information on other possible locations for a transportation hub.

Hente is a member of the city Urban Renewal Authority, which he said has recommended putting a hub in a nearby area that has been designated for an overhaul.

The Southwest Downtown Urban Renewal Area was the proposed home for a city convention center until voters in November approved a measure that effectively killed the idea.

The area borders the train depot on the south and west.

Hente said a transportation hub might make more sense for the renewal area because it will be nearer to homes and retail outlets.

"I just think that we need to do a fullfledged look at all the potential locations," he said.

The City Council has scheduled public hearings on the proposal for next month.

No solid plans are in place for a passenger railroad connecting Front Range cities.

The idea has gained traction recently as Denver voters approved a sales tax increase to pay for more bus service and 119 miles of new track for passenger trains.

Transportation leaders and politicians met in Golden this month to discuss passenger train service from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Albuquerque, N.M.

Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., attended the meeting and endorsed the idea.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0187 or pswanson@gazette.com