The historic depot will get a new roof, and Habitat for Humanity will receive project funding.
By Aaron Kunkler Friday, May 21, 2021 1:30am
The North Bend Depot and Habitat for Humanity development were among several projects in the Snoqualmie Valley that were funded by the Washington state Legislature this year.
The North Bend Depot received $150,000 in state funding to restore and repair a leaky roof, said Richard Anderson, executive director for the Northwest Railway Museum. While the depot building itself is owned and managed by the city, Anderson was given the go-ahead to advocate for the funding during this year’s Legislative session.
The building was built in 1989 as part of the state’s centennial celebration, marking 100 years since Washington became a state. It was originally constructed with federal money.
Over the years, the building has been used as a community center and has hosted city council meetings and nonprofit groups. But recently it has developed a leaky roof, which should soon be repaired.
“The North Bend Depot wasn’t being used as much, and we feel it’s still a very important part of anchoring historic downtown North Bend,” Anderson said.
The Northwest Railway Museum, which provides train rides through the valley, uses the building as an anchor when the train is running. The museum over the last year also expanded service to run every weekend, and has plans to expand more in the near future.
All three of the Valley’s state legislators signed on to the funding: Reps. Bill Ramos and Lisa Callan and Sen. Mark Mullet.
“We’re just delighted with the support from our representatives and our senator in securing this funding,” Anderson said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for North Bend said the city is pleased to receive state funding to replace the aging roof at the depot. No timeline for the re-roofing has been established, but the city is hoping to begin within the next year.
“The building is an asset to the city and we look forward to finding ways to utilize the community space it provides,” the statement reads.
Also in North Bend, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County received $250,000 for its seven-unit townhouse project, which is expected to be completed next year.
Brett D’Antonio, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County, said the money will fund the last remaining bit of the project. The units will be permanently affordable, with two marketed to families making less than half of the county’s area-median income. The remaining five units will be marketed to those earning 80% of the area-median income.
The funding will help fill in the difference between cost of construction and market-rate housing sales. A covenant agreement will ensure the units will remain affordable.
The project is located at 250 E. 2nd Street, and the Habitat for Humanity received the property in January 2020. It’s the nonprofit’s first development project in North Bend, and applications will be open on June 1 at BuyHabitat.org.
Other major projects were funded in the Snoqualmie Valley this session by the Legislature, including $6.5 million for a septic system in Fall City. The town has for decades had problems in several properties after the state moved buildings during work on the former Sunset Highway.
The long-awaited Snoqualmie Valley Youth Activities Center also received $360,000 to complete the second phase of the youth center. The center has been in the works since a broken pipe shuttered the former building in 2008. The new building has been a labor of love from the community, which donated 10,000 volunteer labor hours, materials and other support. This additional funding will go towards completing an onsite garage and workshop.