Due to the overwhelming support from the community regarding the historic Sandpoint Depot, I have decided to post several letters that were written in support of our efforts to preserve the station and the Amtrak stop in the core of Downtown Sandpoint. These letters were sent before the recent City Council vote and will be posted individually without signature. If you discover your letter has been posted here and would like your signature included, just let me know.

Letter Number Eighteen:

RE: Sandpoint Historic Train Depot

I apologize that I am not able to attend this meeting tonight. I have asked Justin Schuck to read this on my behalf.

Based on the inspections and research I have done regarding the restoration of the existing building, I believe the Depot has endured remarkably well. Considering the constant vibrations of the adjacent rail line and its age, I am impressed that the original un-reinforced masonry building is in as good a condition as it is. The work that is required to mitigate the current deficiencies is not what I would consider monumental.

We have prepared an estimate to address all the items that we have been able to observe. The cost of these repairs is not extreme or unattainable. Funds could be available from the Byway Project to take care of the majority, if not all of the scope of work we have determined. The difference between “restoration” and “preservation” is a matter of details. We can certainly realize a building that is safe and functional and mostly true to its original state. If it is determined that the building’s function is more of a Historical concern, I am confident that funding would be available through other means.

I find it hard to believe that we would even consider not doing this project. There are scores of other cities across the US that have restored their old depot and have successfully created an economically viable entity in their city. Whitefish, MT immediately comes to mind, where they have done just that. I ask you to do everything you can to keep the Depot in Sandpoint and find a way to create a gem for our city.

Thank you for your consideration.

Carlos Suarez, P.E.
President
Woodland Lumber Company, Inc.
208-290-7003

Due to the overwhelming support from the community regarding the historic Sandpoint Depot, I have decided to post several letters that were written in support of our efforts to preserve the station and the Amtrak stop in the core of Downtown Sandpoint. These letters were sent before the recent City Council vote and will be posted individually without signature. If you discover your letter has been posted here and would like your signature included, just let me know.

Letter Number Seventeen:

I have wanted to personally attend many City Council meetings over the years, but due to work related travel requirements I am almost never home during the week and therefore unable to attend. My wife and I have been residents of Bonner County going on 4 decades, and Sandpoint City residents for over 9 years now. During this time we have witnessed the destruction, by demolition and or fire, of many historical structures in and around the county that now remain only as images in photographs, artist renderings and memories of the mind.

We watched the old boarding houses, hotels and homes along the shores of Pend Oreille disappear to be replaced with high rise condominiums that are an interruption to the eye when looking down Cedar street.

Now we are witness to the potential restoration or demise of the last standing historical building sitting on the pointed spit of land from which we got our name. The depot graces the canvas and paper of many artist and is a focal point in many photographs of the Ross Hall collection.

The semblance of this historic structure and it’s potential demise has aroused the interest and concern of a large number of residents in, around and beyond Bonner and Boundary county. Many of these concerned people, including Darlene and I, are willing to step up with donations of money and or voluntary time and or both to secure the preservation and use of the Sandpoint Depot. It also remains as a good doorway for Amtrak to bring more tourist into Sandpoint. Neither my wife nor I can conceive any reason for the City Council & or Mayor not to vote in favor of a restorative resolution.

Due to the overwhelming support from the community regarding the historic Sandpoint Depot, I have decided to post several letters that were written in support of our efforts to preserve the station and the Amtrak stop in the core of Downtown Sandpoint. These letters were sent before the recent City Council vote and will be posted individually without signature. If you discover your letter has been posted here and would like your signature included, just let me know.

Letter Number Sixteen:

Because of a prior out-of-town commitment, I won’t be able to attend tonight’s city council meeting.

I am writing to urge you all to please move forward with the acquisition of our historic Sandpoint train depot. In my opinion, it should be restored in stages, with the ITD dollars providing a good beginning. (Wish we’d had that kind of support in the early days of the Panida!)

This is a cause for which I am personally committed to fund-raise. As a downtown business owner, I see a restored, utilized train depot as a huge asset in our efforts toward critically necessary economic development.

Due to the overwhelming support from the community regarding the historic Sandpoint Depot, I have decided to post several letters that were written in support of our efforts to preserve the station and the Amtrak stop in the core of Downtown Sandpoint. These letters were sent before the recent City Council vote and will be posted individually without signature. If you discover your letter has been posted here and would like your signature included, just let me know.

Letter Number Fifteen:

Sometimes we have to think and act as if we were in the future looking back. I think we we would feel terrible if we gave up our chance to preserve some very important history here in Sandpoint. It seems like a big job, but it surely would be worthwhile to have this beautiful depot restored and used as it was intended.

I feel like the city has made adjustments and given considerations to some of the newer buildings of the past few years. Let’s give some time and thought to this lovely old building.

There aren’t too many buildings of this age and stature left in the area, we need to protect this one. Please consider saving the depot.