KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A campaign is underway to save a historic train tower in Kalamazoo.
The BO Rail Tower near Porter Street has been in Kalamazoo since 1888, even being reconstructed in 1914 after it suffered a fire.
The tower was used to operate various train track switches in the city. Since most train tracks are run remotely from Chicago now, the Michigan Department of Transportation says they have no use for it.
According to a post on the official campaign Facebook page, “Currently MDOT owns the tower and they would like it gone as soon as possible. For those who haven’t seen the tower recently it has been vandalized which means people are near the high speed rail line. MDOT sees this a a liability issue and would like the tower gone because of this.”
The State says the tower can be preserved, but would have to be moved.
The BO tower in Kalamazoo is only one of two left in Michigan, with the other located in Detroit.
Community members looking to get involved with the campaign can visit www.facebook.com/saveBOtower.
