Cresco commits funds and bidding timeline for Beetle Park train restoration

The Cresco City Council on June 15 authorized steps to move the Beetle Park train restoration toward construction and funding.

Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an engagement agreement with Allers and Cooney PC to prepare bid documents and public notices for the project. Staff said WHKS is digitizing historic prints and may be able to restore original blueprints. Long-time volunteers and residents described past work on the locomotive and urged careful restoration of historically significant components.

Council set a revised bid schedule, with bids to be due July 16 and a public hearing to accept bids on July 20, and agreed to proceed with engineering and bid preparation. Council also approved the use of local option sales tax (LOST) funds to cover any shortfall, estimating up to $130,000 could be needed if donations fall short; councilmembers said community donations and volunteer labor could reduce the city contribution.

A volunteer and donor presence was visible in the discussion: council members reported strong community interest, and one participant said a generous donor had pledged to pay half of the painting expense if the project moves forward. Volunteers and staff discussed the scope of work (painting, sand-blasting, sheet metal repair, possible future roof) and the likely need for separate engineering for a roof.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents, WHKS will continue digitizing prints, and the bidding process will proceed on the revised timeline; council will monitor donations and may use LOST funds if necessary.