Kansas City, Mo. ? The top executive at deficit-plagued Union Station, the historic train depot refurbished with taxpayer money that has struggled as a tourist attraction, has resigned.

Turner White will stay on until Tuesday. He’ll be replaced on an interim basis by Sean O’Byrne, director of the Downtown Community Improvement District.

“We would not be here where we are without Turner’s leadership,” said Mary Bloch, chairwoman of the Union Station board. “But by the same token, I think it’s time for a change. Just because he got us this far doesn’t mean he’s the right person to take us to the next level. He felt that way, too. It’s time for new leadership.”

The imposing railroad station near the city’s Liberty Memorial had been deteriorating for years until passage of a two-state sales tax eight years ago. The tax generated more than $118 million for the renovation, which was completed in 1999.

The building now houses the Science City Museum, three theaters and some restaurants and shops, but attendance has been disappointing and the venture is running an annual deficit of $5 million to $6 million.

White sought unsuccessfully to get the City Council to place a property tax increase on the Aug. 3 ballot to provide additional funds for the station. Instead, Mayor Kay Barnes won council support for a package of fees to help finance a new downtown arena. The mayor then appointed a task force to study Union Station’s finances and report by Oct. 1.

White said he was disappointed at not getting on the ballot but called the task force a positive development and said this was an appropriate time for him to leave.