Sultan seeking state funds to repair bridge, expand plant
SULTAN, Wash. -- The city of Sultan is in Olympia, asking for money.
The city wants $350,000 to design a pedestrian bridge and help expand a sewage treatment plant. Sultan knows the state is in bad financial shape, but says this is all about growth and the future.
The bridge is the way across the Sultan River for those who live on the west side of town. It is hardly bicycle-friendly.
The city has another problem -- the sewage treatment plant must be expanded before new homes can be built. Sultan doesn't have the approximately $2 million the project might cost.
Just ask the people at the Logger Inn.
"Two million? You can't do that. Get reasonable. It's not possible," said Sultan resident Chuck Gibson.
But the dreamers want the naysayers to think of what Sultan could be. It's right on Highway 2, on the way to paradise for hikers and bikers.
"I think we have the potential to be a place where people come to get back to nature and enjoy the beauty of the Northwest," said Debbie Copple of Sky Valley Chamber.
Copple admits it won't be easy to convince the Legislature. All the city wants now is about $350,000 for design work.
"I don't know about that. Seems awful spendy to me. For Sultan? Seems awful spendy," said resident Dan Wirt.
But there are others who see friends walking the bridge just a few inches from Hwy. 2 traffic. And those at the Logger Inn think about that, too.
"If it makes the public safe, I'm all for it," said resident John Hanning.
But the city's bigger dream is a Sultan that's more than a whistle stop on Hwy. 2; the city dreams of becoming a recreation destination.
Sure, one new bridge won't insure Sultan's future, but the chamber says it will be the start on a dream.
The Sky Valley Chamber says its goal is linking all four of the Sultan's Riverside Parks, creating a place for people to get off the highway and walk, exercise or just relax.
The city wants $350,000 to design a pedestrian bridge and help expand a sewage treatment plant. Sultan knows the state is in bad financial shape, but says this is all about growth and the future.
The bridge is the way across the Sultan River for those who live on the west side of town. It is hardly bicycle-friendly.
The city has another problem -- the sewage treatment plant must be expanded before new homes can be built. Sultan doesn't have the approximately $2 million the project might cost.
Just ask the people at the Logger Inn.
"Two million? You can't do that. Get reasonable. It's not possible," said Sultan resident Chuck Gibson.
But the dreamers want the naysayers to think of what Sultan could be. It's right on Highway 2, on the way to paradise for hikers and bikers.
"I think we have the potential to be a place where people come to get back to nature and enjoy the beauty of the Northwest," said Debbie Copple of Sky Valley Chamber.
Copple admits it won't be easy to convince the Legislature. All the city wants now is about $350,000 for design work.
"I don't know about that. Seems awful spendy to me. For Sultan? Seems awful spendy," said resident Dan Wirt.
But there are others who see friends walking the bridge just a few inches from Hwy. 2 traffic. And those at the Logger Inn think about that, too.
"If it makes the public safe, I'm all for it," said resident John Hanning.
But the city's bigger dream is a Sultan that's more than a whistle stop on Hwy. 2; the city dreams of becoming a recreation destination.
Sure, one new bridge won't insure Sultan's future, but the chamber says it will be the start on a dream.
The Sky Valley Chamber says its goal is linking all four of the Sultan's Riverside Parks, creating a place for people to get off the highway and walk, exercise or just relax.
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