Wasilla Depot moving to new location

WASILLA — The Wasilla Depot is moving to a new location.

“This is a good thing. I mean for KGB, it could be expanded, we could build a one way street and all that kind of stuff. We need to move the depot,” Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle said, referring to Knik-Goose Bay Road.

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce has occupied the little, green building off the side of the railroad tracks off Knik-Goose Bay Road and Main Street for numerous years. The chamber will move back into the historic building when the site is ready for use.

“It’s got historic value for us,” Cottle said.

This move comes after years of planning and preparation with the Alaska Railroad, according to Cottle.

“The railroad has stated if we don’t move it, they may not stop in Wasilla anymore,” Cottle said.

One of the main reasons behind the move is to accommodate better parking which was all but nonexistent prior, according to Cottle.

“This is nothing new. We’ve been working hand in hand with the railroad so we do it right,” Cottle said.

Cottle said the new location will be right across from Newcomb Park. The city acquired 11 acres for the facility. Cottle said it would take at least one to two business cycles until the chamber can move in.

The chamber is currently working out of the Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center, which recently moved to the former Wasilla Public Library building. After the chamber settles into the old building at a new location, the former museum building space will be available for rental for birthdays and other events, according to Cottle.

For more information, call 907-376-1299.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com