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Department of Ecology Press Release - October 14, 2005
05-254
OLYMPIA - On Saturday morning, Morton residents will be treated to the spectacle of their 1910 train-depot building rolling down Fairhart Street to a new location. The move will breathe new life into a former industrial property that was sitting unused due to contamination.
The historic Morton Railroad Depot is being moved from its home of the last 95 years to a spot formerly occupied by the Chevron Bulk Plant. The new location, between 149 and 167 Main Ave., not only puts the former industrial property back into productive use, it should help the local economy.
The building will roll out at around 11 a.m. Saturday.
"Moving the depot not only allows for business and tourism expansion using redevelopment funding, it preserves a historic structure that is important to the Morton community," said Guy Barrett, site cleanup manager for the state Department of Ecology (Ecology).
Environmental cleanup at the site is managed by Ecology. Chevron Texaco, the former owner of the site, has paid to investigate the contamination and take care of the current cleanup.
"Chevron has acted responsibly and has come through to make this site ready for the move," said Barrett. "It's been a cooperative partnership with real benefits to the community."
The cleanup, depot move and associated redevelopment will be paid for by a combination of federal, state, county, community and private funds. Community and state officials teamed up to save the historic structure.
The Cowlitz River Valley Historical Society was instrumental in bringing together funding and support for the move. The state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development is managing the redevelopment project, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural-development program, state Heritage Capital Fund, and Lewis County support.
When the environmental cleanup, development and restoration are complete, the depot will be ready for use by the Mount Rainier Scenic Steam Train and Tacoma Rail Tourist Trains. Funds permitting, the Historical Society's long-range plans call for relocation of the logger's museum to the depot site, a picnic area and a historic walking trail.
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Contact: Caitlin Cormier, public information manager, 360-407-6149, or pager: 350-701-9254
Information on the cleanup site:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0509079.html
Ecology's Toxics Cleanup Program Web site:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/cleanup.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
