For more information:

Mollie Edson

(509) 933-1688

www.nationalbankofellensburg.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ellensburg's Former City Hall is Again Open for Businesses
Historic Downtown Building to Undergo Restoration

Ellensburg, Wash. (April 30, 2007) - Who says you can't buy city hall?

In March, Mollie Edson, former Mayor of Ellensburg, did just that. Now locals are wondering: what exactly is going on in there?

After being vacant for two years, the building, to be restored in phases, is fully wired and ready to rent on its top floor.

The stately, three-floor Art Deco building, designed by world-renowned architect Carl F. Gould, has six windowed offices, which Edson wants to rent out immediately. The first floor will undergo restoration, and its second floor is slated for removal within the year.

"I think it is important for the vitality of our downtown and our character to restore the buildings that make us unique," Edson stressed. "They create our sense of heritage and place. Without our old buildings and adaptive uses we will become like any other mall or suburb in the country. These buildings, along with our many other unique qualities, are what makes Ellensburg who we are."

Originally constructed in 1886, the Ellensburg National Bank began as a simple brick structure. In 1911, the imposing Farmer's Bank, now known as the Land Title building, was constructed on the opposite corner. It too was made of brick, but its facade was covered in elaborately-carved Tenino sandstone, which gave the bank a stately look.

That's when the building's owner, Ben Snipes, decided his bank needed to be as impressive as its neighbor.
"He was keeping up with the Joneses," said local historian David Wheeler.

Snipes hired Gould, founder of the University of Washington's School of Architecture. Gould had made a name for himself throughout the region after designing many of UW's buildings, as well as the Seattle Art Museum, the Times Square Building in Seattle and the Administration Building at the Hiram S. Chittenden Locks in the Ballard area.

What Gould created was indeed impressive. The bank, made of stone blocks, still to this day has expansive, multi-story windows, detailed stonework on the outside, as well as classic, Art Deco woodwork inside.

But when the U.S. economy began to fail, the Ellensburg National Bank went out of business. By 1938 the city of Ellensburg owned it, and for the next 67 years it functioned as City Hall.

As the years progressed, a middle floor was added to accommodate the increasing number of employees. The mezzanine that once loomed over the first floor was removed and the massive windows were converted into walls.

When Edson purchased it in March, it was "such a sad building on the inside," she recalled. "The place felt dark and stifled. The city had remodeled and remodeled and wedged as many people as possible into an inadequate space, but it was not the building's fault," she said. "It was not designed to hold 60 people working eight hour shifts together."

After showing the building to several people and gathering a lot of input, Edson decided the only way the building would thrive as a modern, downtown landmark was by tearing out the second floor, built in 1954, and also by uncovering the windows.

"I just knew how spectacular this was going to be," Edson said. "Every time we lift an acoustic ceiling tile we get a better idea of how beautiful this building is."

She, along with other community members, seriously considered turning the building into a glass blowing facility. However, research revealed the building would not support such a business.

Now Edson is looking for renters. On the first floor and mezzanine she envisions a restaurant, brew pub, gallery or some other type of retail. On the upper floor, she hopes one single firm of some type will move in. Both floors are 2,100 square feet and the first floor will have 20-foot ceilings.

"I think it would be great to reactivate that corner. It's a tremendous opportunity for downtown," said Ellensburg Downtown Association Director Timothy Bishop. "The first floor is well designed for businesses such as a restaurant, or a high traffic area, such as a bank. It's a great building."

In order to fully restore it, Edson needs more information. She is seeking the original blue prints, which have yet to be located. Edson has gone through all the logical channels, but without success.

Edson's also eager to speak to anyone who might remember the building before its City Hall days, and to those who might have photographs of the building's interior when it was still a bank.

"Old photos and recollections will help bring it back to its glory," Edson said.

Business owners or individuals with ideas for the building's first floor retail future should also contact Edson.
To contact her, call (509) 933-1688.

Ellensburg Old City Hall Fast Facts

• Building's Web site is: www.nationalbankofellensburg.com
• Large Art Deco front stairway, smaller rear stairway
• Six windowed offices available immediately
• Large basement
• Walk-in safe
• 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows
• Leaded glass windows
• African mahogany woodwork and moldings throughout