The Cheney Depot has been part of Cheney since 1929 when former Cheney mayor and current Washington state governor, Clarence Martin, spear-headed the build-up of the new Depot. Martin along with the current Cheney Depot Society envision an attractive piece of the city to foster its people and commerce.
CHENEY - The Cheney Depot Society is closing in on its nearly decade-long mission to restore the historic Cheney Depot.
According to Depot Society Secretary Susan Beeman, the project's goal is to not only save and restore the depot but also to transform it into a vibrant economic tool for the downtown area.
"The mission is to restore the depot so that it can be a centerpiece," Beeman said. "We want to lease it out to a tenant who will turn it into a business, so people will go in and out of the depot. We want to tell the story of the railroad and the history of Cheney."
Beeman highlighted the depot's significance, noting that it serves as a vital link to Cheney's origins. "Cheney only exists due to the depot. This was the main transportation hub in the community," she said. "The railroad was given land grants, and they planned to make a town here, due to the water source for the steam train."
The restoration project, which began nine years ago, is in its final stages. "We're just missing the last bit of funding to get it over the finish line," Beeman said. The society has relied heavily on local donations, both financial and in the form of time and talents.
In addition to the restoration efforts, the Cheney Depot Society has organized various community engagement activities. "Most of the events happened before the depot was ever relocated," Beeman said. "We've had a fundraiser dinner and booths at Mayfest and the Rodeo. We have a subcommittee right now that's working on organizing a fundraising event this fall."
The Cheney Depot Society operates as a standalone nonprofit organization, often partnering with the Southwest Spokane County Historical Society. "Their directors have collaborated with us," Beeman said. "We have a planning document that tells us how to interpret history. Our hope is that they will continue to support us by temporarily donating historical items."
Support for the project extends beyond historical organizations. "The mayor and city council have been supportive," Beeman noted. "The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has reviewed the plans to ensure they meet historic preservation standards."
The vision for the depot extends beyond its historical significance. Beeman envisions it as a hub for community and economic activity. "We would like to have the depot be a place that helps build relationships between community members and maybe increase tourism," she said. "It would be nice to have more things to do in Cheney that help build economic vitality."
Looking ahead, the society hopes to find a tenant and transition from a fundraising organization into a major historical entity. "We look at it as an economic tool for the downtown," Beeman said. "Our long-term goals would be to find a tenant, then transition from a fundraising organization into a major historical entity."
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
Reader Comments(0)