Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-01-04
MINERAL POINT
RAILWAY DEPOT
Decision of Railroad Commission
of Wisconsin.
lMpROVEM ENTS ORDERED

But the Prayer OF the City for New
Building on New Site is Denied.
improvements to be Completed by
July I, 1917.
A copy of the decision of the Wiscon-
sin Railroad Commission in the case
Of the city of Mineral Point VS.. the
Chicago, Milwaukee and ST. Paul Rail :
way Company has been kindly for
warded to The Democrat. After re-
citing the material facts in the case
at considerable length the Commis-
sioners say:
In the light of the testimony and in
vestigation, we are of the opinion that
the Mineral Point depot is sufficiently
large for the business transacted, and
that it's location, while not as convenient
as is desirable, is reasonably accessible
and reasonably safe with the reduction
Of the speed Of switching movements as
above indicated. Under such circum-
stances we do not feel justified in requir
ing the respondent to abandon station
which is substantially built and which
can be so remodeled as to afford reason
ably adequate accommodation for the
public.
Commission that it is willing to permit
the opening of a new crossing north OF
the water tank and between the two
lumber sheds Of the Eastman Lum be1
Company, If the city will vacate the
existing Second Street crossing. In that
event the company would undertake tC
place the portion Of the new crossing
within its right of way lines in proper
condition for travel. This suggested
arrangement would increase the space
available for driveways at the existing
station, and improve the access to the
platforms. The new roadway would
cross only two tracks instead of four
and would be at right angles with the
tracks. The city officials were consulted
with respect to the suggested street
changes, but have not signifed to the
Commission shat the city is willing tc
consent to the proposal.
We appreciate the fact that tiae city
Of Mineral Point has increased in pop
ulation and wealth since the depot was
built, and that the appearance of the
structure is not entirely in keeping
with the character Of the coRGenunity
However, the commission is not EN-
powered to require by order che con
structi0n of facilities in excess of those
which are necessary for reasonably
adequate service, and we feel that tn,
existing structure can he made reason
ably adequate by means of the improve
ments indicated herein. In the even
that the city fails to consent to thu
suggested street changes and take th
necessary legal action to o0nsumat,
them prior to March 1, 1917, the respond
ent will be expected to proceed with thu
improvements On the basis of the exist
ing street locations. We ind that tn
respondents station facilities at Minera
Point are inadequate and that in Orde
to make the existing facilities suitabl
for further use, ,provisioo shonld b.
,nnade for the following Improvement
and additions:
1. Smoking room.
2. Shelter shed north of the station
not less than % feet long.
s. Sanitary toilets Cor both mee anC
women.
4. Raise platform rs much as prac
ticable and provide additional platform
space.
5. Additional windows and improved
ventilation.
6. More careful supervision of heat
ing plant.
7. Additional electric lights.
s. Properly surfaced station ap-
proaches.
The interior should be renovated and
such painting, plastering, etc. as il
necessary performed.
It is therefore ordered that the re-
spondent, the Chicago, Milwaukee and
st. Paul Railway Company remodel
and improve its station facilities al
Mineral Point as indicated above. plans
to be submitted to the Commission fo1
approval.
July l. 1917, is considered a reason
able date at which the work herein
ordered shall be completed.