The next few days will be extremely busy in Burlington as the city plays host to two related events.
AMTRAK EXHIBIT
Amtrak's "Exhibit Train" will be making a stop in the city over the weekend as part of a national tour that includes Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
The train features uniforms, photos and memorabilia dating back to 1971, which was Amtrak's first year.
Bringing that depot back to life is an important part of tourism
Beth Nickel with the Greater Burlington Partnership says the two-day event will serve as an opportunity to raise awareness about efforts to revitalize the facility.
She says the volunteer organization, Friends of the Depot, will be on hand to discuss its efforts including a greeter program for Amtrak passengers.
Nickel says the event coincides with the 1st Annual 2013 Preserve Iowa Summit, adding "there is going to be a special session on how to renovate historic depots."
She says revitalizing the depot is important to local tourism.
"It's one of our entry points," says Nickel, "so bringing that depot back to life is an important part of tourism."
The "Exhibit Train" will be open from 10-4 on Saturday, August 24 and 12-5 on Sunday, August 25.
PRESERVE IOWA SUMMIT
Meanwhile, the previously mentioned 1st Annual 2013 Preserve Iowa Summit runs Thursday, August 22 through Saturday, August 24.
The event replaces the Iowa Downtown Summit, the statewide Historic Preservation Conference and the Preservation Awards Dinner.
Steve Frevert with Burlington's Downtown Partners says the event will allow the city to showcase its own historic preservation and downtown development efforts to the entire state.
"You know, we are excited," says Frevert, "we have a record number of rehabs in progress downtown right now. I would love to have a few of them finished by (the summit), but that is just how things go."
Panel discussions will be held throughout the summit with topics ranging from project funding and architectural salvage to downtown bicycling and sacred places renovation.
