Eric Olmsted created this possible layout of a new park that is proposed for Public Utility District property on Main Street in Chehalis. "We are in the early stages of defining what we want this area to be and to look like," said Larry McGee of the Chehalis Renaissance project.
Visitors to Chehalis taking the Main Street exit from I-5 may soon find a small park showcasing artwork and featuring picnic tables, a pet area, and a restroom, thanks to efforts of the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team and the Lewis County Public Utility District.
The PUD recently moved back its substation at the corner of Main Street and Quincy, freeing the front of the property where CCRT volunteers have drafted tentative plans for a small park, possibly called the Power Free Park, PUD Park or Chehalis Art Park.
Or maybe, as proposed Friday by Dick Larman, executive director of the Lewis County Economic Development Council, the Free Power Park — complete with a plug-in station for electric cars.
I don’t often make it to the monthly Renaissance Team meetings, but when I do, I’m always impressed by the cooperation among local government and business leaders and the amount accomplished in a short time, primarily because committees complete tasks between meetings and report back to the group.
For example, Eric Olmstead, owner of PlantsPlus, and Jan Nontell of ARTrails met at the proposed park to brainstorm ideas. At Friday’s meeting, Olmstead presented an early drawing of a park with shade trees, landscaping, a welcome sign, and a permanent art piece in the center with four replaceable pieces that could be changed every year or two. Visitors to the Holiday Inn Express already walk their pets there, so he suggested creating a designated pet area with “a doo-doo bag kiosk.”
The CCRT also heard about other cooperative projects:
• Jim Rothlin, executive director at the Port of Chehalis, gave an update on creating a business incubator in the Twin Cities for renewable energy and thin film solar technology. Consultants determined the need isn’t for research and development but rather for a small-scale production plant where ideas can be tested. He plans to ask officials at Portland and Seattle companies to identify unmet needs and explore possible partnerships.
• Allyn Roe, manager of the Chehalis-Centralia Airport, said he worked with the city to seek a more than $800,000 Community Urban Revitalization Grant to extend the road near Home Depot, opening 20 acres for development.
• Chehalis Avenue will look much different after resurfacing and planting of flowering crabapple trees and rain-garden plants in miniature stormwater ponds. Herta Fairbanks, public works director, said construction, likely to be completed this year, will probably take a month.
• Annalee Tobey of Vitality Marketing has worked with the city to produce a free electronic newsletter called Experience Chehalis! To receive it, sign up on the Experience Chehalis! Facebook page or contact Caryn Foley at cfoley@ci.chehalis.wa.us.
• Bill Deutscher, president of the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Association, told the CCRT last month that the organization would like to expand its operations north to Centralia and possibly as far as the Great Wolf Lodge. Rothlin said the key to making that happen is Tacoma Rail, which owns the lines.
• A pilot children’s museum is likely to open Feb. 1and run for six months; however, the location was not disclosed.
• New Christmas decorations will adorn Main Street from I-5 to Market Street, thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Chehalis Foundation, said David Hartz, owner of Book ’n’ Brush.
“When the Foundation gives money for something like this, we like to see an effort to enhance that amount,” said Dr. Isaac Pope, a Chehalis City Councilor and CCRT member. “We have a lot going on in our community trying to improve the look of our city.”
You can help by attending the Chehalis Foundation’s third public gathering, a fund-raising dinner, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Riverside Golf Course. Cost is $75.
Kudos to Chehalis for its thriving collaboration through the Renaissance.
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Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.
