Kansas City, Mo. ? The financial picture for Kansas City’s Union Station continues to improve.

Station officials say the station had its best financial performance in 2010 since the building was restored in 1999.

The Kansas City Star reports Tuesday that the station ended 2010 with a $4.1 million operating surplus. About $2.3 million of that was non-cash donations, leaving the station with a $1.8 million cushion.

The positive results were driven largely by the popular dinosaur exhibit this summer. Operating expenses were down $1.2 million and the station has leased more office space.

The station has struggled financially since voters approved a special tax to refurbish it, and station officials were suggesting in 2008 that the facility might have to close.