Keokuk, IA – Securing the Keokuk Union Depot did not appear to be a priority for its previous owner, Peoria-based Pioneer Railcorp.
The structure spent many winters with broken windows and holes in its roof.
Depot Committee Chairwoman Debbie Marion says winterization is a priority now that the city has taken ownership of the property.
"We have secured the roof," says Marion, "it was just patched so eventually we will have to put a new roof on it. The main goal for everything we were doing was to save the roof so we could save the building."
The city acquired the property for a nominal fee and asked the committee to work to save the structure.
Marion says as money comes in, more repairs and improvements will take place.
She says more than $35,000 has been raised so far through pledges, donations and grants.
That figure does not include the proceeds from last week's Puttin' on the Glitz in downtown Keokuk.
Marion says it remains unclear how the depot will be used once it is restored.
She says a group of college students have been studying the structure to determine possible options.
Marion says it could be a few years before solid options develop.
Marion says volunteers are working at the depot several days each week.