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(rshsdepot) Ellensburg, WA
Links:
http://www.soultones.com/postcards/ellensbrg/depot_30.jpg (historic
postcard photo)
http://www.cbvcp.com/wsrhs/pict/depo11.JPG (1920s photo)
Railroad offers 20-year lease on train depot
Plans to restore historic structure are back on track 04/08/02
PAT MUIR - Daily Record
Historic Ellensburg's plan to renovate and preserve the historic train
depot on Wenas Street took a significant step forward last month when
Burlington Northern Santa Fe offered a 20-year lease for the property on
which the depot sits. While there are some details to work out before
the deal is closed, signing the lease would mean the state Department of
Transportation would release the $221,000 grant it has been withholding
in absence of a long-term lease. "Things are moving along," said Joe
Bach, president of Historic Ellensburg. "Everyone's pretty excited about
it." The city of Ellensburg has been negotiating the deal on the
historic group's behalf and had been struggling with BNSF, which
continually denied requests for a lease term longer than five years. The
new offer, 20 years for a lump sum $20,000 payment, was a complete
reversal of the railroad's position, Ellensburg Public Works Director
John Akers said. "I'm not sure what changed," he said. "It was a
complete turnaround in the attitude toward the lease. . Something
happened, and it was pretty refreshing when it did." It's been a long
process for the city and Historic Ellensburg. After raising the required
$39,000 to qualify for the federal grant, Historic Ellensburg members
thought the deal was on its way. They raised money through fund-raisers
and donations only to be told they needed a long-term lease BNSF was
unwilling to offer. The 20-year offer is a major breakthrough, Akers
said. "It looks like we're there," he said. "It looks like it will
happen." There is still much to be done, however. Once the property
lease is confirmed, the city will need to negotiate the purchase of the
depot itself. The building is owned by Dave Bean, who has previously
indicated he's willing to sell, Akers said. Hopefully there will be
enough of the grant money left after that purchase to protect the depot
from vandalism and severe weather, Bach said. Once that is done,
Historic Ellensburg will begin writing grants and raising funds for the
building's renovation, he said. While acknowledging that the group has a
way to go, Bach said Historic Ellensburg members are pleased with the
recent turn of events. "I think everything's going to work out," he
said. "It's just going to take time." Gus Melonas, spokesman for BNSF,
could not be reached for comment this morning.
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #340
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org