I never read that article.. But that park is nice - except when the mosquitoes and drunks are out. It could be a nice spot for people in the summer waiting for their families to come in - I love that Engine. And it serves it purpose next to the Train Depoe. I really have not even thought about South Main - There are too many other changes going on that I am concerned about including some things that affect Farms... I am digging thru those regulations and can't make heads or tails of it. Nice to hear from you tho.
I read in the online Herald edition that stimulus funds are going to be used to renovate some areas of south main in Williston, more specifically the Amtrak depot and possibly the park down there. As the Amtrak depot is concerned, it sounds like the goal is to make the entrances more ADA friendly... is that all? Personally, I feel the depot should get a major overhaul. From my experiences, its the best method of transportation in and out of town, because air departures and arrivals into the airport are much more sketchy... from my experience. Now, I've traveled via rail quite a bit, and the Williston depot is the 1st stop in ND coming from the west... that stop delievers east bound travelers the 1st impression of ND! Now, most of the depots on the Empire Builder route are pretty sketchy... except the one in Portland, OR and the stop in Whitefish, MT. It would be great to renovate the Williston stop to give a better 1st impression of ND, and it doens't have to be a building that is any larger, or even a new building, but I think a more aesthetically pleasing facelift is in store. At the very least, a flat screen television playing a loop of area attractions inside the depot would be a step forward (Fts. Union/Buford, Red Mike, etc).
Now, I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to renovate the place if that stop is still being threatened to be removed...
As the park down on south main is concerned, I do like the idea of a park there, and the old engine is pretty neat, BUT isn't that park kind of in an awkward location? As you all know, I'm not one for ripping out parks, but when you have the crown jewel city park (Harmon Park) 11 blocks away, why would anyone want to go have a picinic in the lawn next to a strip club (and a sketchy one at that)? It seems like that plot of parkland could use some updating, or even some re-development to attract more residents to it... besides just serving juice to band day participants. I don't have a great answer as to what should be there, but I was thinking along the lines of moving the engine down next to the depot, and constructing some nice basketball courts, an outdoor hockey rink, a tennis court, and picinic tables... things to bring people down to south main other than whiskey.
Just an idea, but that park has always seemed to be under-utilized in my opinion.
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