Inland Empire Ry. Historical Soc. museum moving to new site

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:12 am

http://www.spokanejournal.com/article.php?id=9466

Quote:

The Inland Empire Railway Historical Society is solidifying plans to begin developing an estimated $24.5 million destination museum near Reardan, about 20 miles west of Spokane, and to pull up stakes here.

It has hired Bouten Construction Co., of Spokane, to construct a $1.7 million first-phase building there that's to be called the Lee Tillotson Conservation and Restoration Center, and has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for Sept. 21. MMEC Architecture & Interiors, of Spokane, is the architect for the overall project.

The nonprofit society, created in 1967 to promote and preserve the history of railroading here, expects in late 2014 to vacate space at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, at 404 N. Havana, in Spokane Valley, where it has been operating for decades.

More at the link.

Heavenrich · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 11:07 am **Posts:** 630

Actually, planning for this move has been going on for at least a couple of years -- the issue they're dealing with is they were renting their location on a State Fair Grounds and the owners of the property want to use that part for something else.

If that doesn't sound familar, consider what's happened places like Utica, Houston, or Dallas where a certain big engine is about to be moved ---

Bob H

FLO · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:07 am **Posts:** 328

What a nice adrenaline rush for a Friday. Thanks for posting this, ADM.

Pic from: http://www.spvv.com/about/current_projects.html

JimLundquist · **Joined:** Tue Jul 31, 2012 5:05 pm **Posts:** 116

WOW!!! Huge plans. Have the raised all this money???

Brian Norden · **Posted:** Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:01 am

JimLundquist wrote:

WOW!!! Huge plans. Have the raised all this money???

The linked newspaper article says this:

Quote:

The project also presents a huge fundraising challenge for the organization, which thus far has amassed only a fraction of the money needed to construct the overall complex and will be seeking grants to help cover some of the cost, Swant says. He estimates the overall project will take 10 years to complete.

and it says:

Quote:

The 12,000-square-foot building that's to be constructed first is named after Lee Tillotson, an original and lifetime member of the Railway Historical Society who died in 2010 and left the organization a substantial sum. Swant wouldn't disclose the amount of the gift, but said it will be enough to cover about 90 percent of the costs of the initial phase of construction.