Kansas City, Mo. ? Kansas City’s Union Station, which last year had a $700,000 deficit, has recently reported a $1.1 million surplus.

Financial figures for the first seven months of 2010 compared with the same period the year before showed that revenues were up 19 percent, and expenses were down nearly 14 percent.

A source of the improved revenues is the “Dinosaurs Unearthed” exhibit, which has been extended until January and has drawn more than 100,000 visitors. That level of attendance also helped improve parking revenue.

Station CEO George Guastello has been cutting costs and trying to maximize income through office leases and booking only major attractions.

“You have to go through a lot of pain to get to the point we’re at,” Union Station board member Trina Henke said Friday. “This (management) team has had the courage to do that.”

However, the cash-flow situation does not include depreciation and deferred maintenance, Union Station financial officer Jerry Baber cautioned. After depreciation, the station has a net deficit of $2.4 million. The costs of keeping up the huge and historic building remain formidable.

An expected payment from the city for money owed from a tax increment financing district will go toward covering a $435,000 overdue bill from Kansas City Power & Light Co.

More good news is likely the first quarter of 2011 when leases for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas City Area Development Council start generating income.

But there is still another 30,000 square feet of office space for lease at Union Station.