Saco has four bidders to build environmentally friendly (Amtrak) station (Maine)

[jpak]

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=147523&ac=PHnws

Bids are in for construction of a train station in Saco that is intended to be a model of green building techniques. The City Council is scheduled to choose a winner this month.

Four companies are vying to build the 6,200-square-foot building on the site of the open platform that is now the only facility for passengers boarding and departing Amtrak's Downeaster in Saco.

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The price of the building will cover many environmentally conscious features, such as a wind turbine and a heating system based on a geothermal heat pump.

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As soon as next month, a 100-foot-tall wind turbine with 25- foot-long blades is expected to go up on the site of the station. City Councilor Eric Cote said the turbine will have the potential to power the entire station, although it remains to be seen whether it can also provide enough electricity for the lights in the parking lot.

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[Doctor Cynic]

1. Perhaps Amtrak should improve their joke of service

and run more trains and lure more people out of their cars before putting on a green facade.

[jpak]

2. This station serves the Downeaster - one of Amtrak's most successful train routes

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-12-15-amtrak-downeaster-anniversary_x.htm

and the city of Saco - not Amtrak - is paying for it.