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| Ana "Lizzy" Fuentes Apodaca surrounded by her family in a 2007 photo. From left, husband Tony, and children Nichol (now 3), T.J. (now 6), and Kristina (now 19). (Photo courtesy/Alma Herrera) |
Materials, labor donations needed to help restore Mascot & Western car
Carol Broeder
Arizona range news
Be a part of Willcox history.
That is what City Manager Pat McCourt is asking volunteers to do by helping renovate the historic Mascot and Western railcar across the street from City Hall.
"The history of Willcox starts with the railroad," said McCourt in a statement, adding, "that is not to say cattle and farming are not and were not part of the development of Sulphur Springs and the City of Willcox."
"Willcox started as a railroad construction camp known as Maley Camp; it was transformed into a town with the construction of the depot," he said.
"The community has worked hard to maintain our identity as a western railroad community," McCourt said.
"Part of that effort is keeping visible signs of the railroad in our town. The Mascot and Western Rail car, located on Railroad Avenue, is one of those signs," he said.
"The rail car is rapidly deteriorating. We want to restore it to its original condition, preserve it, and make it available for visitors, future generations, and for ourselves to enjoy."
Jeff Stoddard, the city's supervisor of development services, explains that constant exposure to sun and wind has taken its toll on the wooden railcar.
"We believe action must be taken now before the deterioration of the railcar exceeds the amount of money the railroad ad-hoc committee and the city council have allotted for the renovation repairs and construction of a new stage," he said in his June 24 letter to city council.
Southern Pacific Railroad had granted the city $75,000 for renovation projects in historic downtown Willcox.
After several meetings the ad-hoc committee created a list of potential projects to dedicate the funds to and also set spending limits, Stoddard said.
One of these projects was renovating the Mascot and Western car and adding a stage.
Stoddard said that at this time, the city has completed two of the projects on the list, which had been approved by City Council at its Aug. 17, 2009 meeting.
The first three items were to make electrical improvements, and add a small play area and drinking fountain to Railroad Park, said Stoddard.
Renovating the Mascot and Western car is number four on that list.
It will cost an estimated $47,000 to complete the renovations and build a ramp and stage, but this figure does not include a protective cover over the railcar and stage, he said.
Stoddard said that staff has been looking into a grant to be matched by the Railroad Park money, but has not yet found any.
"Staff is very concerned that delaying this item until grant monies may be available will cause the costs of repair and maintenance to escalate beyond what is available," he said.
Stoddard said that staff would invite local residents, contractors, and businesses to donate materials, equipment, and labor to the project.
At its July 6 meeting, the council voted unanimously to allow the Departments of Development Services and Public Works to begin the procedures for renovating the railcar and adding a stage.
"We want to make this a better symbol of our community's past," said McCourt.
"The city is looking for partners who can help us in this project -- the help can be in the form of materials, labor, money, or ideas in how to best get this piece of our history restored and preserved," he said.
The current plan calls for repairing the exterior in its original style.
It also includes building a platform that can be used to view the car and to emcee events downtown.
"We would like to construct a cover over the entire railcar to protect it from the elements," said McCourt.
The city has looked for grants to help pay for the preservation, but to date has not found any, he added.
Anyone wishing to help should contact Jeff Stoddard at (520) 766-4225.
Carol Broeder
Arizona range news
Be a part of Willcox history.
That is what City Manager Pat McCourt is asking volunteers to do by helping renovate the historic Mascot and Western railcar across the street from City Hall.
"The history of Willcox starts with the railroad," said McCourt in a statement, adding, "that is not to say cattle and farming are not and were not part of the development of Sulphur Springs and the City of Willcox."
"Willcox started as a railroad construction camp known as Maley Camp; it was transformed into a town with the construction of the depot," he said.
"The community has worked hard to maintain our identity as a western railroad community," McCourt said.
"Part of that effort is keeping visible signs of the railroad in our town. The Mascot and Western Rail car, located on Railroad Avenue, is one of those signs," he said.
"The rail car is rapidly deteriorating. We want to restore it to its original condition, preserve it, and make it available for visitors, future generations, and for ourselves to enjoy."
Jeff Stoddard, the city's supervisor of development services, explains that constant exposure to sun and wind has taken its toll on the wooden railcar.
"We believe action must be taken now before the deterioration of the railcar exceeds the amount of money the railroad ad-hoc committee and the city council have allotted for the renovation repairs and construction of a new stage," he said in his June 24 letter to city council.
Southern Pacific Railroad had granted the city $75,000 for renovation projects in historic downtown Willcox.
After several meetings the ad-hoc committee created a list of potential projects to dedicate the funds to and also set spending limits, Stoddard said.
One of these projects was renovating the Mascot and Western car and adding a stage.
Stoddard said that at this time, the city has completed two of the projects on the list, which had been approved by City Council at its Aug. 17, 2009 meeting.
The first three items were to make electrical improvements, and add a small play area and drinking fountain to Railroad Park, said Stoddard.
Renovating the Mascot and Western car is number four on that list.
It will cost an estimated $47,000 to complete the renovations and build a ramp and stage, but this figure does not include a protective cover over the railcar and stage, he said.
Stoddard said that staff has been looking into a grant to be matched by the Railroad Park money, but has not yet found any.
"Staff is very concerned that delaying this item until grant monies may be available will cause the costs of repair and maintenance to escalate beyond what is available," he said.
Stoddard said that staff would invite local residents, contractors, and businesses to donate materials, equipment, and labor to the project.
At its July 6 meeting, the council voted unanimously to allow the Departments of Development Services and Public Works to begin the procedures for renovating the railcar and adding a stage.
"We want to make this a better symbol of our community's past," said McCourt.
"The city is looking for partners who can help us in this project -- the help can be in the form of materials, labor, money, or ideas in how to best get this piece of our history restored and preserved," he said.
The current plan calls for repairing the exterior in its original style.
It also includes building a platform that can be used to view the car and to emcee events downtown.
"We would like to construct a cover over the entire railcar to protect it from the elements," said McCourt.
The city has looked for grants to help pay for the preservation, but to date has not found any, he added.
Anyone wishing to help should contact Jeff Stoddard at (520) 766-4225.
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