Downtown Springfield Landmark Completed

Union Station has been restored to its original 1898 appearance. Back then, it was a train station. Pushing ahead to 2007, it looks pretty similar in appearnace, but different in purpose. Project designer Anthony Rubano says, "Today the building is a visitors center. There will be tourist information here, concierge service to assist people and visitors with their stay in Springfield and the surrounding communities. But theyll also be a place for people to purchase tickets for the museum." This completes the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum complex. There are also offices in Union Station. And people will be able to rent it out for receptions. The clocktower stands about 150 feet tall. So it changes Springfields skyline and it can be seen from pretty far away. Construction took almost two years and the finished product exceeded the project designers expectations. "The building is so much more beautiful than i thought it was going to be, eventhough i was involved since it was on paper," says Rubano. Two out of state visitors were also amazed by the outside looks of Union Station. "You can tell that its got history. You can tell that its been here for a while. And yet it looks good and substansial and preserved," says Steven Blackburn of Columbia, Missouri. They wanted to check out the inside, but theyll have to wait until Monday when Union Station officially opens to the public. Right across from Union Square Park, the Presidential Library and Museum are both changing their hours. Theyll now be open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The buildings used to be open later on Wednesdays.