By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
It's been a question for weeks: will the old Moline train depot move to Western Illinois University's Riverfront Campus or will it come crumbling down?
Tonight, Moline City Council will vote to finalize the sale of the old train depot to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Currently, the local landmark sits in the way of the new I-74 bridge.
For weeks, the Moline Preservation Society has been trying to raise money to save the depot and move it to WIU.
According to the group's website, they have only raised about $80,000 of the necessary $155,000.
While it's not on the docket, an extension could be granted at tonight's meeting to give the Preservation Society more time to raise money before finalizing the sale.
Once the sale goes through, Illinois DOT will be one step closer to beginning construction on the new I-74 bridge.
"IDOT is in the process of acquiring property for the project so IDOT wants it as soon as they can but I don't believe the project will be starting for a couple more years," says Patrick Burke, Moline Economic Development Manager.
While it's going to be awhile before bridge construction starts, time is of the essence for Western Illinois University as they continue construction on Phase 2 of their Riverfront Campus.
"Physically moving the depot down there becomes more difficult and probably more expensive the longer we wait if it's going to happen at all," Burke explains.
City leaders say once the sale goes through, it's very unlikely the depot gets saved.
"IDOT wants to be done with it," Burke adds. "They want to acquire it and demolish it. That'd be the least expensive option for IDOT."
That City Council meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Moline City hall.
