Kent group plans April 6 meeting to help save old train station

Discussion about whether to turn the old Kent train station into a public facility will continue with a Friday, April 6 meeting.

The Kent Downtown Partnership will host the meeting at 10 a.m. at the Kent Historical Museum, 855 E. Smith St. Anyone interested in efforts to preserve the station is invited to attend.

Discussion will focus on obtaining permission from Burlington Northern Santa Fe to allow access to the station to determine how much it will cost to restore the building and whether it is a feasible project, said Barbara Smith, executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership.

The station, built in 1927, sits just east of the BNSF tracks, north of East Gowe Street and west of Railroad Avenue South.

Smith also is seeking ideas for any property in Kent, especially in the historical downtown area, that would be available for relocation of the train station. She can be contacted at barbaras@kentdowntown.org.

Structural engineer Darrell Staaleson of Staaleson Engineering, P.C. has agreed to perform a Structural Condition Assessment (SCA) of the station for free, Smith said.

Staaleson told Smith that a SCA is an essential first step to help determine what is viable or possible in the proposed renovation to an existing building.

“The information you receive can help you avoid starting a renovation that is not viable or purchasing a building that cannot feasibly be made to function for your intended purpose,” Staaleson said.

Staaleson also will provide a report that includes observations, analysis, conclusions, recommendations and schematic design concepts.

The train station task force formed in February to see if the train station could be saved and converted into a coffee shop, restaurant, visitor’s center or similar retail spot.

BNSF owns the old station and uses it for storage and office space.