Welcome, everyone: Official opening for the new North Bend Visitor Information Center | Photo gallery

Published 2:50 pm Wednesday, October 1, 2014

North Bend’s new Visitor Information Center was officially unveiled on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The new tourist stop and art gallery won’t just stoke newcomers’ interests in the city and its natural attractions. It’s also part of downtown’s new outlook.

“It’s just one step in a whole journey,” said Geoff Doy, president of the North Bend Downtown Foundation. “North Bend is going to take on a new look and a new lease on life,” through future projects, such as a proposed civic center.

“This is a really big deal,” said Mayor Ken Hearing, who cut the ribbon at the Sept. 13 grand opening.

Officially known as the North Bend Visitor Information Center and Mountain View Art Gallery, the new building is a collaboration between the city, the foundation, which promotes the downtown, and Tom Sroufe of BrookWater Advisors, who developed the Bartell Drug lot from a block of houses. The center, next to Bartell on the corner of Park Street and Bendigo Boulevard, represents a major step toward downtown revitalization, as well as community pride and volunteer effort.

“Between here and the freeway, there wasn’t much—until now,” said Hearing. “This is the next step toward building that pathway between the freeway and historic North Bend.”

Decades ago, North Bend’s visitor’s center was housed in a small building on the lot across Park Street from today’s VIC. A few years ago, the center moved to the North Bend train depot on McClellan Street, off the main street.

“That didn’t work out so good,” said Hearing.

But this new center was designed exclusively as a visitor’s center and tourist starting point. “And that is the best idea ever,” Hearing said.

Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson spoke briefly, commending the city for its investment.

“Some people assume there’s a lot of competition between the two cities,” Larson said. “But when it comes to economic development… we all want to build our economies. Anything that happens here, whether it’s a hotel or a visitor’s center, is good for Snoqualmie as well.”

Pamela Wickard is manager of the center, assisted by a ‘weekend ambassador’ employee. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Mountain View Gallery hosts rotating art exhibits. Through November, local wood carver/sculptor Bob Antone, and pen and ink illustrator Doug Williams show their works. Other art works include art from the Snoqualmie Tribe and images by North Bend photographer May Miller.

City VIPS cut the ribbon: Gina Estep, Ross Loudenback, Alan Gothelf, Ken Hearing, Jonathan Rosen

Musicians Alex Donka and Christian Henriksen play at the VIC on Saturday, Sept. 13, during the North Bend Jazz Walk.

A view of the center from the east entrance.

Art on display in the Mountain View Art Gallery.