I am writing regarding the planned development of the Weyerhaeuser Mill site in Snoqualmie, aka Snoqualmie Mill. I have studied the documents on Snoqualmie’s website, http://www.ci.snoqualmie.wa.us/DevelopmentinSnoqualmie/SnoqualmieMillPCIPEIS.aspx, in particular the Determination of Significance, which states “Supporting uses could include…outdoor event space (e.g. for parties, concerts, etc.).” This is the only mention of an amphitheater in the documents available through the city of Snoqualmie.

However, a few minutes on the website of the proposed developers paints an entirely different picture. Looking at http://snoqualmiemill.com/site-plan/ I saw a plan for a 31,000 square-foot amphitheater, sufficient to accommodate 3,700 to 5,000 concertgoers. That space is about a mile from my house, and the amphitheater is proposed to be aimed at residents of Snoqualmie and the upper Valley.

This website is clearly oriented to those who might be interested in investing in the development or building within it, where the documents available through the city are not. It is evident in the website that there is no “could” in the plan. Mentioned four times on just this page, the choice of words relating to the amphitheater include “is to be located”, “envisioned”, and “planned.”

While I support all other aspects of the development plan as wonderful for the community, in that they will bring needed jobs and increase tourism, an amphitheater will degrade our community. Imagine a White River Amphitheater just across the river from the Historic District. Thousands of visitors clogging our streets, listening to overamplified music on the too-few nice evenings we can enjoy, and then clogging our streets again on the way out, in too many cases after drinking, smoking marijuana and/or taking drugs.

The music will blast throughout our community, depriving those who live here of the right to enjoy the very quiet many live here for. Imagine the traffic congestion, trash and disruption this proposed use will cause.

The owners and concert promoters will make a buck at the expense of the people who live, earn, spend and pay taxes here, doubtless decreasing the attractiveness of our Valley and property values.

We have all heard that “you cannot stop progress.” While that may be true, we can define progress, and an amphitheater is in no way a part of that definition. Please contact your elected representatives including Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, the city council members, and Kathy Lambert and let them know that they must do what is best for the residents of the city. We cannot allow an amphitheater to happen to us.

Readers interested in working to stop the amphitheater may contact me at daveeiffert@gmail.com.

Dave Eiffert

Snoqualmie