Aug. 23 — Windmill may move across the street

Historic windmill built in 1902 could be relocated at future city hall campus

Chris Albert / of the Herald

The windmill in Edgewood could be finding a new home at the city hall campus.

The historic structure is located on Meridian and would be moved across the street to city hall.

The Windmill Association and the city are in preliminary talks about moving the building that was originally built in 1902, said Don Nelson, from the Windmill Association.

“As plans move forward, we’ll hopefully be a part of it,” he said. “It would be easiest if it were on city property.”

This wouldn’t be the first time the windmill was moved. It originally was part of the Nyholm property at the corner of Jovita and Meridian. In 1980, when an auto parts store bought the property, the Windmill Association was formed to save the structure.

“They (owners of the auto parts store) spent a lot of time making sure that it was preserved,” Nelson said. “They did a great job working with us.”

In a matter of days the windmill was moved to its current location by 24th Street and Meridian. It was moved down Meridian in a one-day parade to save the building.

“We just invited everyone who had anything to do with it,” Nelson said.

This time around is going to take more than a couple of days, even though its move would be right across the street.

The move is still a couple of years away and would most likely take place during the Meridian Street widening project in 2009 or 2010, said Henry Lawrence, Edgewood city manager.

At that time, Puget Sound Energy would be moving the electric lines and the windmill could be easily be moved across the street to its new home at city hall.

“If that were the case, we may be able to move it in its vertical position,” Nelson said.

It would be ideal to move the windmill in tact, Nelson said. In the past few years the windmill has had its fan rebuilt and new siding put on it.

About four months ago city officials and Windmill Association members started talking seriously about relocating the windmill to the city hall campus, Lawrence said.

As of now, no written agreement has been made with the city to move the windmill, but Lawrence said one is expected to be finalized in the next couple of months.

“We’re in the process of making an agreement with the Windmill Association to reserve a spot for it at city hall,” he said.

City officials and representatives from the Windmill Association have talked about setting up a committee composed of association members to be in charge of maintaining the windmill. The city would also provide some funds for maintenance.

Right now city hall consists of a few portables and a white barn. Construction of a new city hall should start this fall and be completed by early summer 2008, Lawrence said.

“We’re trying to break ground in early November,” he said.

The windmill would most likely be relocated near the white barn, Lawrence said. Community reaction has been very positive, Lawrence said.

Moving the windmill to city hall has been talked about for many years and it’s a way of making sure history is preserved.

“I haven’t heard anything negative about it,” Lawrence said.

The windmill is a long-time landmark of the city and even appears in it’s logo, he said.

“It’s a very historic structure for Edgewood,” Lawrence said.

Reach reporter Chris Albert at 253-841-2481 ext. 313 or by e-mail at chris.albert@puyallupherald.com.