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1.Project Description:Please describe the project in detail.Indicate the major work to be <br />completed,any milestones that need to be overcome in order for the project to move forward, <br />and include a comparison of existing and proposed conditions. <br />According to the Department of Transportation figures,nearly 7.9 million vehicles passed through <br />Ellensburg on I-90.If each vehicle carries an average of 2.75 people,that translates to 21.68 million <br />potential visitors.If 10%of those visitors stopped in Ellensburg (2.2 million),it would make Ellensburg <br />one of the more visited cities in Washington. <br />Enhancing the Visitor Experience is critical to the success of getting visitors to stay longer.This will <br />require additional amenities,education (letting people know what there is to see and do,and enhanced <br />signage directing visitor to key attraction and amenities.)Once visitors find out all that EIIensburghas to <br />offer,they may decide,next time through,to spend the night (or more)in Ellensburg or the surrounding <br />area. <br />Implementing a visitor information center situated closer to hte freeway interchange will allow more <br />opportunity for the information to be accessed.Providing more visitor information to campus visitors, <br />including parents,alumni,prospective students and their families and conference attendees.When <br />expanding the present visitor information to a high-traffic location,it will increase visibility to potential <br />return visitors.Building the Visitor Information Center closer to the freeway will provide the <br />opportunity to enhance visitation to the downtown,throughout EIIensburg,and the surrounding areas <br />in the county. <br />Currently the City of EIIensburg,owns a parcel of land that is located at the corner of Mtn View and <br />Main Street.This location would be the potential building site of the mentioned above Visitor Center. <br />Provided with the application will be the preliminary costs to build a simple but efficient building; <br />milestones will be the access of water and sewer to this property.The property is an existing park that <br />will be integrated into the design of the use of the property which is required by deed.(please refer to <br />attachments for detailed information) <br />Having reviewed the Goals of the Tourism Plan and furthering the geotourism efforts this project would <br />provide a physical location that we can market in diverse markets and have the opportunity to satisfy <br />tourist.It would also provide a balance for community members to partner with the center to provide <br />additional experience for the tourist and share their business with the public as well.It will also serve as <br />an area that non-profits can have their information and the festival and event tickets.This location will <br />proactively plan immediate needs when it comes to the tourist experience and engagement along with <br />the acknowledgement of sustaining the long-term character of the building and services it provides.