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From: Bernie Wagenblast brwagenblast AT comcast DOT net
Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2002 06:10:32 -0400
Subject: Snohomish, WA
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A history lesson for visitors


By Diana Hefley
Herald Writer

SNOHOMISH -- Soon tourists in Snohomish can get a quick history lesson
before strolling through downtown.

The city plans to build a visitor information center, and Tuesday night the
city council approved a conceptual design for the new facility.

True to city tradition, the center will have a historical twist. It will
replicate the old Snohomish Train Depot building once staffed by the
Northern Pacific Railroad Co.

"They have done a beautiful job. Our railroad heritage is no longer
represented by physical structures. This will add so much to our city," said
Windsor Vest, president of the Snohomish Historical Society.

The new design has been scaled back from an initial proposal the city
received from an outside architect several years ago. That concept, City
Manager Larry Bauman said, was too expensive and bigger than what the city
had envisioned.

The new center, planned for the corner of First Street and Avenue D, is
expected to cost $357,000.

To cut down on the price, staff recommended using a prefabricated building,
which will include a large storage area and a viewing deck that overlooks
the Snohomish River.

Currently, Snohomish uses a portion of the Chamber of Commerce office for a
visitor center.

To the delight of the historical society, the facility is expected to
include an interpretive center that will complement the historic downtown
district, Vest said.

The society plans to collect photographs illustrating the history of
commerce, agriculture and transportation in Snohomish, she said.

The group also hopes to partner with history classes at the high school to
create a time capsule.

"I think it will be wonderful to allow visitors a chance to see the history
of Snohomish before exploring the city," Vest said.

Bauman did not know when construction would begin on the center. The city,
he said, still has to work out some questions with a neighboring business,
Snohomish Ironworks. The business may be using a part of the property for
its driveway, Bauman said.


You can call Herald Writer Diana Hefley at 425-339-3463 or send e-mail to
hefley@heraldnet.com.

Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/



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