Here’s an idea for those who want to preserve the rail tracks in Palmer

With Colony Days ending today, plenty of folks have visited Palmer and may have noticed the railroad tracks adjacent to the Depot and beyond.

The tracks have been a source of minor public debate in recent months when the city first announced it would tear them up as part of its Urban Revitalization Plan.

When some got wind of that, they raised their voices in protest, saying the tracks represent a piece of Palmer’s history. Some even believe Alaska Railroad will eventually come back into town someday.

The former could be made into sensible reality if some things get done.

First, those who think the tracks now aren’t an eyesore are sorely in need of an eye exam. The tracks are a blight on the community that divides the town north and south. If not for the rails, it would seem to be one long patch of weeds that would get any other property owner a citation from city hall to clean the weeds up.

Before anything else is done, the current tracks need to be torn up, including the ties, and replaced because the existing track has sunk into the bed to where the tires can’t even be seen in places.

The railroad likely has plenty of rusted rails that could go back in so the tracks would look old and unused over time.

After that major project is complete, then make that stretch a true reflection of the past.

How about a rail car or two attached to an engine with interpretive signs describing the importance of rail transportation to the Matanuska Valley? Search out 1 Percent for Art to fund artwork, like a metalwork statue of a couple of gandy dancers at work, or a couple of hobos huddled over a can of beans.

If folks are sincere about keeping those tracks for the purpose of recounting the Valley’s history, then they need to start envisioning how to make that happen. Protesting the destruction of a decrepit strip of downtown because of its history isn’t enough. The Matanuska property is also an eyesore and also part of Palmer’s history. Soon that property will go down in a heap and hauled away, as it should be. Nobody has made one step toward restoring its elevator and other buildings for future generations and tourists.

So the folks who want to save the rails need to do more than complain. They need to present a vision or those pieces of history should be removed and forgotten.