A group trying to save a 115-year-old landmark from being demolished in Moline has bought themselves some more time. This week, the city council decided to postpone the decision to sell the historic train depot on River Drive until December 1st.
Barb Sandberg, from the Moline Historic Preservation Commission, says Moline currently owns the vacant building, which needs to be moved to make way for the new I-74 bridge. The state will not pay to move the building, and so far all plans to sell the depot have fallen through.
Sandberg says a buyer is interested, but still needs the $500,000 needed to move it. And if she can't save the entire building, Sandberg hopes she can at least salvage some historic pieces.
Aldermen delaying the sale of the train depot to the Illinois Department of Transportation could give the group enough time to save parts of the building. But, all salvaging must be completed by the end of December, so the demolition process can begin next spring.