The Snoqualmie City Council approved the authorizing of a public works contract to begin work on the Snoqualmie skate park project at its recent meeting.

In addition, the council approved a fireworks stand permit for J and M LLC, and received an update on some of the recent activities of the Northwest Railway Museum.

The council authorized the execution of a public works contract with Gridline Skateparks, Inc. to construct the Snoqualmie skate park project that has been in the works since 2007. The project is estimated to cost $462,000, and will be funded through grants, private donations and city funds.

Funding sources for the park included several grants and awards from King County, including $176,000 championed by King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert; $175,000 in funding from the State of Washington Recreation Conservation Office championed by Sen. Mark Mullet; and significant contributions by the YMCA of Greater Seattle, Square One Distribution, RH2 Engineering, and private donors, according to the city. Of the total $462,000 project cost, approximately $10,080 will be paid from the Snoqualmie Parks & Public Works Department budget.

The council approved the resolution in a unanimous vote. The skate park will be located at Community Park on the Snoqualmie Ridge, just south of the basketball court.

The public is also invited to the official groundbreaking ceremony at 3 p.m. on July 5, at Community Park.

A video, map, site design, and funding sources are posted on the city of Snoqualmie website at http://bit.ly/SnoqSkatepark.

Questions may be directed to the Parks and Public Works Department at info@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us or 425-831-5784.

During the meeting, the council also received a presentation from Richard Anderson, executive director of the Northwest Railways Museum, who summarized several of the recent accomplishments and projects taken on by the museum. Anderson talked about the construction and use of the new train shed and education center buildings, as well as the rehabilitation of Chapel Car 5 and the recent acquisition of the Parlor Car 1799.

Anderson also said that the museum and Puget Sound Energy’s engineers have completed a feasibility study that has confirmed the Puget Sound Electric Railways Interurban Car 523, which is the most recent addition to the Snoqualmie Landmarks register, can be operated on batteries between the Snoqualmie Falls, historic downtown and the museum. He said the museum has begun applying for funding in order to make the restoration and battery addition a reality.

A fireworks permit for J and M, LLC, was approved unanimously through the consent agenda. J and M have applied to sell fireworks on the IGA Snoqualmie parking lot from June 28 to July 4.