Group Intensifies Effort to Save Old Depot : Burbank: Historical Society says the charred rail station is sound enough to be added to a new transportation center. But the city has doubts.

A preservation group is trying to keep its efforts to save a historic Burbank train depot on track, even though city officials are planning to tear it down.

The Burbank Historical Society plans to hire an engineering firm to determine if the severely damaged Southern Pacific train depot at 101-201 N. Front St. can be saved.

Although much of the depot was burned in a fire last year, society members say the building is still sound enough to be included in Burbank’s new transportation center, which is expected to begin operations at the location in October.

But city officials want to put a modern center on the site, and they said the old depot will not fit in.

Burbank Mayor Michael R. Hastings and others have said they doubt the building has enough historic significance to be restored.

Also, a Los Angeles Transportation Commission consultant told the city it would take about $1 million to save the building.

City officials are also concerned that saving the depot or delaying demolition may jeopardize Burbank’s priority as a stop on the Metrolink commuter rail line.

They said the depot is so badly damaged that it cannot qualify for the national or state historic registers.

They added that it would cost more to work around the depot, and cost even more later to blend it in with the new center.

“I love tradition and history,” Hastings said. “But we will lose a lot more than tradition if we lose this stop. I would love to be part of a drive to save something that’s salvageable. This is not.”

City officials said they would consider additional information and pleas from society members.

But if they are not convincing, demolition will begin about the middle of April, the officials said.

Mary Jane Strickland, founder of the Burbank Historical Society, said the city will be making a big mistake if the depot is torn down.

“The loss will be a major historical landmark,” Strickland said. “It’s very hard to deal with this. We realize that it’s burned, and that the city is financially strapped. But you can’t replace these things.”

Gary Sutliff, another member of the group, called the depot one of the more recognizable buildings in Burbank.

“We’re running out of places to hang on to,” he said.

The depot was built in 1927, but has not been used as a train station for 30 years.

The building was most recently used three years ago for storing hazardous chemicals.

Strickland said the building was important historically because train passengers who traveled to Los Angeles from the north would pass through the station.

“It’s not a fabulous architectural wonder, but it has some interesting detailing around the edges,” she said.