After reading the minutes of the Friend's board meetings and the commission's meetings it's a done deal once the money is found. If the math as stated for the same foot print as the depot is correct that translates to over $400 per ft2 for a two story building built land that is already paid for. This is going to be a pretty nice monument to something.
One of Frank Lloyd Wright's clients objected to a red band that circled the chimney of her soon to be new home that was nearly completed. Mr. Wright's answer was; "Learn to like it." The house was there longer than she was.
Most of us do not have much of a choice in this. It ultimately comes down to if you want to have an operating railroad or not. The fat lady with the antlers is waiting on the people with the money to decide what song she will sing. Show them the money or hold your ears.