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an5thri <br />gton <br />I University <br />lEARN DO llVE <br />April 14,2017 <br />Re.Ellensburg Visitor Center <br />To Whom It May Concern: <br />CWU strongly endorses the application of the City of Ellensburg for funding from Major Projects Lodging <br />Tax for a visitor center and Entryway Park.CWU and Ellensburg share the goal of a welcoming and <br />engaging community.A key component of this welcome is a professional and easy to find Visitors Center, <br />which Ellensburg does not now have. <br />CWU draws tens of thousands of visitors to the area each year,for events associated with music, <br />athletics,orientation,student life,conferences,and many other activities.Lacking an official welcoming <br />location at the entrance to the community,we must rely on our website and digital and print marketing <br />materials to guide visitors to the university campus and the compelling historic business community.A <br />visitors center would help direct these and other curious visitors into the heart of the town and promote <br />both engagementwith local business and the university. <br />Our surveys of students and parents show that historic downtown Ellensburg and the natural beauty of <br />the area are significant draws to CWU.We support initiatives that help inform community visitors about <br />these attributes and believe that a welcoming visitors center could play a key role in this work.While we <br />do engage in digital solutions,nothing is quite as welcoming as a human face and a friendly voice. <br />Ellensburg has needed this for many years,and it's time to make this investment. <br />The City of Ellensburg's Entryway Park at the intersection of Mountain View and Main Street near Super-1 <br />Foods is an ideal location for such a facility,located as it is near the concentration of fuel and fast-food <br />businesses at exit 109.Perhaps almost as important as creating the Visitors Center itself,is the <br />elimination of a terrible eyesore at the doorstep of the university.Weeds grow up around the chain-link <br />fence that surrounds the dismal,graveled lot.The blue structure on the lot is untended and vacant.This is <br />a poor representation of what lies beyond the location and filling it with the life of Visitors Center would <br />vastly improve our welcome. <br />Because the site would be physically improved by the project and because it would,for the first time, <br />provide a true community welcome to the thousands who come near Ellensburg and entice more to <br />come into Ellensburg,CWU supports the dedication of Major Projects Lodging Tax funding to this <br />development. <br />Sincerely, <br />James L.Gaudino <br />President <br />Office of the President <br />400 East University Way •Ellensburg WA 98926-7501 •Office:509-963-2111 •Fax:509-963-3206 <br />Office location Barge Hall Room 314 •E-mail:CWU_President@cwu.edu •Web:www.cwu.edulpresident <br />EEO/AATTITLE IX INSTITUTION •FOR ACCOMMODATIONE-MAIL:CDS@CWU.EDU