A covered waiting area and shade for the mini-train at Iron Horse Square were approved by the Mineola Economic Development Corp. last Thursday.

The Iron Horse Square Committee requested the money, and the MEDC board agreed to fund most of the requested project for $75,000.

Citing the possibility of having to remove facilities should the Union Pacific Railroad decide to reclaim the property, the MEDC did not offer to put up funds to expand the facility to include restrooms.

All city facilities on either side of the rail line are on land leased from the railroad with the provision that it would have to remove any structures should the railroad ever decide to cancel the lease.

City Manager Mercy Rushing, who doubles as the city’s economic development director, said so far the railroad has been supportive of the improvements the city has made in the railroad right-of-way, including Iron Horse Square park, the gazebo, veterans memorial and the pavilion.

Installing restrooms would have required an aerobic on-site sewer system since there are no sewer lines that access the property.

Adding the restrooms would have increased the price tag $30,000.

The committee hopes to move quickly to get the materials ordered for the project.

The structure on the east end of the mini-train track will give waiting riders a place to stay in the shade as well as allow the train to be shaded during loading and unloading. It will also have a small storage area.