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(rshsdepot) Choctaw, AR

Freight station demolished to make way for Clinton Presidential Library

November 21, 2001 Posted: 09:51:00 PM PST

The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Over the objections of historic preservation
groups, a century-old freight station was demolished Wednesday to make way
for the Clinton Presidential Library.

Historic preservationists sued to block the demolition of the Choctaw
freight terminal. The groups contended the city, the foundation building the
library complex, and federal officials violated the law by not considering
the project's effect on historic properties.

But a federal judge Wednesday denied a request for a last-minute injunction,
allowing the demolition to go ahead.

Library officials said they plan to save the nearby Choctaw passenger
station and a historic railroad bridge over the Arkansas River.

Groundbreaking for the 28-acre complex, which includes a library, a policy
center and an archive for former President Clinton's presidential papers, is
set for Dec. 5. The project is slated for completion in 2004.

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