Newhalem -- A new Skagit Information Center about City Light's Skagit River Hydroelectric Project will be located just off State Route 20 in Newhalem. Seattle City Light plans to construct the information center this year. It is being designed by Miller/Hull Architects. The project will be advertised for bid later this month in the Daily Journal of Commerce. It is expected to open to the public in May of 2001.
Interpretive displays showing the history of construction of City Light's Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, including Ross, Diablo and Gorge dams, will explain how City Light operates the project with a fish-first philosophy and provides flood control along with electric power. The displays will also showcase City Light's environmental stewardship at the Skagit, which includes programs for wildlife, native vegetation, recreation and environmental education, as well as historic, archaeological and other cultural resources. Visitor orientation material will provide information on other nearby sites of interest.
AldrichPears Associates of Vancouver, B.C., is designing the interpretive displays. An outdoor fish redd sculpture will be created for the facility by Tom Jay of Chimacum, WA.
The Skagit Information Center will be a single-story building with a footprint of 2,400 square feet. It will include new fully accessible restrooms that will be open to the public by the end of this year. Further information is available from the project manager, Beth Blattenberger, at (206) 386-4506.
