YAKIMA, Wash. – Applause filled Yakima City Hall as the city council renewed the Yakima Valley Trolleys‘ operating agreement in a 6-1 vote in the affirmative. Councilmember Rick Glenn was the only opposing vote. The agreement, originally set for renewal at the end of 2024, had been postponed throughout 2025.
Public comments at the meeting lasted over an hour, with supporters from Tacoma, Kirkland, Seattle and even England voicing their support for the trolleys. Ken Johnsen, president of Yakima Valley Trolleys, expressed his relief at the decision.
“I don’t think they realize the importance of it and importance of saving it. And that’s why we are working so hard to save it,” said Johnsen.
The focus now shifts to the 6th Avenue project, estimated to cost around $15.3 million, with $7 million allocated to renovating the railroad on 6th Avenue. Bill Preston shared his vision for the project.
“I will be able to start Sixth Avenue next year and finish it in ’28 and we won’t have to take a bond. We won’t have any funding issues with it,” said Preston.
However, that would only be the case if the railroad is paved over. Preston mentioned Transportation Benefit District funds as a future consideration, that the council would have to decide whether to include railroad renovation in the 6th Ave project. Councilmember Glenn voiced concerns about the renovation costs.
“My decision is we got to divorce ourselves from the northbound rails. We’re not going to go to Selah because we don’t have the money. If the trolley people want to go to Selah, come up with the money and give us a schedule and you’ll have it and will sign it off and put it in. Otherwise just bury the idea,” said Glenn.
The Yakima Valley Trolleys are close to achieving national historic landmark status, which could bring grant funds. The decision on 6th Avenue could impact this status.
“If the railroad were bisected by having the section and Sixth Avenue removed, yes, that would pretty much destroy the National Historic Landmark application that I’ve been working on for the last four and a half years. It would probably also remove us from the National Register of Historic Places, which we’ve been on since 1992 because all of that hinges on our being an interim urban railroad, meaning going from here to Selah,” said Johnsen.
Preston suggested potential funding methods, should the railroad be fixed, including tab fees ($20 or $40), bonds or a 0.1% tax increase. The public is invited to share input on the railroad’s future at the February 17 council meeting, where council members will make a decision.
