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Museum awarded $169,843 federal grant to repair End‑O‑Line turntable; board approves RFP for historic architect
Summary
Museum Director Nick Demuth told the board the National Park Service awarded $169,843 for repairs to the End‑O‑Line turntable pit; the board approved an RFP to hire a qualified historic architect (NPS approval required).
Nick Demuth, museum director, told the board the county received a grant award notice from the National Park Service (Historic Preservation Fund) dated March 28, 2026, to repair the End‑O‑Line turntable pit that was damaged during flooding events (2018 and 2024). The project is federally funded through the State, Tribal, Local, Plans and Grants Division of the National Park Service.
Demuth said the first project step is hiring a qualified historic architect to oversee the work and that any architect selected would need National Park Service approval. He noted the End‑O‑Line turntable is unique: "This is the only railroad turn‑table the Upper Midwest, and maybe U.S. that has not been relocated, is hand operated, and never changed it's method of operation," Demuth said.
The board approved the May 6, 2026 Request for Proposal to hire a qualified historic architect and accepted the grant award of $169,843.00. The motion passed without recorded dissent.
Demuth said copies of the RFP and project documents will be provided to the board and that NPS approval of the chosen architect is a condition of proceeding.
