Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
Date:	July 5, 2012
RE:	Santa Fe Station Update

There are several noteworthy updates regarding the Santa Fe Station.

Santa Fe Station Grant Project:

Work continues on the KDOT grant project to develop construction-ready plans for the Santa Fe Station project.  At this point, it appears that the project will be completed by early fall. 

New BNSF facility oversight:

As part of the ongoing work related to the grant to develop construction-ready plans for the Santa Fe Station project, I have been made aware that BNSF Railway has a new arrangement regarding management of the railroad-owned stations.  BNSF has recently contacted with Johnson Controls to manage these facilities, including the Santa Fe Station.  Johnson Controls is responsible for identifying maintenance needs at the building.  Scott Bennett, the Facilities Manager on the BNSF Railway Account for Johnson Controls, already has a project identified to make repairs to the sidewalk in front of the station for safety purposes.  Stan Hernly (Hernly Associates, a KDOT rail official, city staff, and representatives of Depot Redux, recently met with Mr. Bennett to let him know about the grant project and coordinate efforts.  Mr. Bennett indicated that he will work with BNSF and Amtrak to see if funding is available for maintenance items that are identified. 

Amtrak News:

Amtrak sent the City a letter in late April regarding Amtrak’s Accessible Station Development Program.  Amtrak has been surveying the station to identify, and where possible, make ADA improvements to the building that are the responsibility of Amtrak.  Staff has requested that Amtrak keep the City notified of its plans.