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La Plata preservation commission raises safety, ADA and security concerns at train‑station museum
Summary
Commissioners reported decking collapse, dry rot, recent break‑ins of the caboose and lack of camera coverage at the town train‑station museum; they requested staff follow up and asked that the council be informed about the break‑in.
Commissioners told the La Plata Historic Preservation Commission on July 17 that the town’s train‑station museum is in deteriorating condition, citing safety hazards, accessibility problems and a recent break‑in that left the caboose door damaged.
“","The decking has fallen apart. There’s nails sticking out of it," a commissioner said, describing immediate trip and safety hazards and reporting dry rot on the building’s sides. Commissioners said a plywood patch covered the caboose after a break‑in and that the building lacks camera coverage; police asked whether cameras existed and were told no.
Commissioners also said ADA access and parking problems limited visits: a recent Springdale group of about 20 visitors could not complete their tour because they could not reach the ramp and site features. Commissioners said attendance at recent openings has been near zero and that publicity about openings has been minimal.
Staff read an email from Council liaison McCormick noting that he will raise the train‑station break‑in during council comments and asking commissioners to provide any relevant notes. Commissioners asked staff for a report at the next meeting describing what the town will do to address structural repairs, security (camera coverage) and accessibility issues before the planned public events tied to a Maryland Public TV documentary.
Next steps: commissioners requested staff follow up with a status report at the next meeting; the council liaison indicated he would raise the break‑in with the council at its next meeting.
