Sounds of metal echoed through the old power plant building ascity officials crossed a makeshift bridge of an old traffic signover soft mud Thursday.

In another room rested a large mound of gravel that had beenplaced there to keep it out of the weather. Old equipment andmachinery filled other portions of the building that could becomehome to the city’s multi-modal transportation facility.

While the immediate appearance was less than attractive, withhardly any windows left unbroken, officials saw where the buildingitself had stood the test of time.

“They don’t make them like this anymore,” Alderman at large LesBumgarner said as he studied the building’s high ceilings and thickwalls.

Architect Michael Barranco agreed as he pitched his ideas toconvert the building to an approximately $1 million trainfacility.

“There’s not much demolition to do. It’s really just clean out,”Barranco said.

Barranco said the roof deck and steel supports are not in badshape. The architect said the brick walls and mortar are in goodshape.

Regarding the dirt floor, soft in places due to wet conditions,Barranco said a new floor could be installed to make it level withthe road and train tracks.

“I just think it’s a wonderful structure,” Barranco said of thebuilding.

The part of the building used for gravel storage could bedemolished during the renovation.

However, if it is deemed to be structurally sound, it could bekept as a covered courtyard area, Barranco said. He indicatedavailable funding limited options for that part of thestructure.

“I don’t believe we can afford to put a new roof on it,”Barranco said.

Barranco discussed various station-related functions and wherethey would be located in the structure, with parking on the southside of the building. He said a high canopy structure could bebuilt across North Railroad Avenue to provide passenger access tothe trains.

“Engineering Associates feels this road will still be used,”Barranco said.

Some officials, though, questioned the need to keep the roadopen. They referred to its limited use by motorists.

“It’s used for people to beat the train,” said City Attorney JoeFernald.

Ward One Alderman Dorsey Cameron agreed. He said closing theroad would reduce liability at unprotected crossings like the oneat nearby Josephine Street.

“We don’t really need to have this road open,” Cameron said.

The road could be closed under another option for thefacility.

Officials are also considering demolishing the old power plantbuilding completely and constructing a new one. Barranco said theplant building is in an “ideal location” and suggested building anew facility in the road bed closer to the train track.

With the building and land providing the required 20 percentlocal match, officials are considering how to best use anapproximately $1 million federal appropriation for thetransportation facility.

Mayor Bob Massengill the city could tap part of a subsequent $2million appropriation if needed. He said the city would have toprovide work or cash for the 20 percent match.

“We can take a portion of that if we choose to,” Massengillsaid.

At their April 5 meeting, aldermen are expected to decidewhether to renovate the existing building or construct a newone.

Barranco said a structural engineer would visit the facility todetermine whether the building is structurally-sound. Massengillindicated that would be a big factor in the board’s decision.

“If it’s not, it’s a no-brainer,” Massengill said. “We tear itdown and do something else.”