Promising start to save Carnegie Building
Published 10:44 pm Monday, June 30, 2008
SNOHOMISH — The effort to restore the Snohomish Carnegie Building has piqued the interest of local residents.
About 300 people visited the oldest public building in the city on Saturday, said Bill Bates, a board member of the Snohomish Carnegie Foundation. That kicked off the group’s campaign to raise $4 million to preserve the building.
“We are really ready to get this going,” said Bates, a long-time Snohomish resident.
The goal is to use the building for different activities, including meetings and family events. Supporters of the building plan to seek grants from nonprofit groups and government agencies, Bates said.
Strong community backing is essential to make the project successful, City Councilwoman Melody Clemans said. The good turnout at the open house Saturday showed that people care about the city-owned building.
“We felt it went very well,” Clemans said. “We accomplished our mission.”
The 1910 building had been used as a library before the new library opened in 2003 along Maple Avenue. The Carnegie Foundation pitched in $10,000 to create the building. The foundation also helped build two other libraries in Snohomish County. One is in Everett, the other in downtown Edmonds.
The restoration plan calls for separating the 1968 annex from the original structure. The annex is to be demolished to make room for parking and open space.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
@4. OT ByNumbers hedder:If you want to help
Supporters of the Carnegie Building in Snohomish are trying to raise $4 million to restore the historic building in downtown. The building is at 105 Cedar Ave.
For more information, call 360-243-9509 or go to www.snohomishcarnegie.org. Donations can be sent to the Snohomish Carnegie Foundation, P.O. Box 1088, Snohomish, WA 98291.
