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Copyright 2009 - 2010 by the Pioneer Restoration Organization
Text Box: April 1, 2009 Jonathan Hutchison Government Affairs Director Amtrak West 530 Water Street Oakland, CA 94607 Dear Mr. Hutchison, It is with great pleasure and much enthusiasm that I write this letter supporting Amtrak’s potential return to passenger travel along the Pioneer Route through the City of Evanston, Wyoming. I, along with our city council and many of our citizens, are extremely encouraged by this project and the overall response has been tremendously positive. In fact, on March 17, 2009, the city council unanimously passed Resolution 09-21, authorizing and pledging support for restoring Amtrak passenger rail service to Evanston. The restoration of such rail service would be incredibly advantageous for our local citizens and those in the surrounding communities, as we currently have a lack of scheduled air service, limited bus service and problematic travel conditions during the winter months. Unquestionably, this would greatly enhance our community’s travel options. Historically, Evanston has been irretrievably linked to the railroad, as the Union Pacific Railroad built a train depot, a four-section roundhouse in conjunction with other railyard buildings in the city during the early 1900s. Since these many buildings became the property of the city in the 1970s and 1980s, we have worked diligently to renovate them to their former grandeur. In 1989, the train depot was the first of these structures to be refurbished, and for a time, it operated again as a train station for Amtrak passengers. Today, along with many other structures at the site, it comprises Evanston’s Historic Depot Square. It is regularly used by the public for both private and community celebrations from weddings and reunions to Chinese New Year events and Cowboy Days festivities. However, it is also prepared to, once more, shelter railroad travelers as they await their scheduled Amtrak ride to their next destination. In addition, the city has vigilantly labored to renovate our historic Roundhouse & Railyards. Located within walking distance from Depot Square and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this rare site includes a complete roundhouse (one of a very few left standing in the U.S.), a machine shop, a power house and several other outlaying buildings. In 2004, the 17,000 sq. ft. machine shop was completely restored, followed by a large parking area in 2006. We are pleased to announce that next month (May, 2009) the first section (25,000 sq. ft) of the roundhouse will also be refurbished. Both of these buildings are and will be utilized by the general public for a variety of events, including state and national conferences, as well as, local and regional happenings, such as our much celebrated Roundhouse Festival held every August. Indeed Evanston has had a rich and long railroad history, and with the return of the Pioneer Route, we can continue to develop and strengthen this indelible connection. I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to be considered among one of the many stops along this passenger rail proposal. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (307) 783-6300 or at wdavis@evanstonwy.org. Sincerely, William R. Davis, Mayor City of Evanston, Wyoming

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