The Coldwater Visitor Center at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is looking for locals with a vision for its Coldwater Visitor Center at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Forest officials announced they are seeking public and private entities to submit a “Request for Expression of Interest” to them by July 31 which would allow them to share ideas on how the visitor center could be used and managed in the future and how to bring that vision to reality.
The Coldwater Visitor Center overlooks Mount St. Helens and sits in the Congressionally-designated national monument for the mountain, the announcement stated. Located along State Route 504 the center, built in 1993, offers views of the mountain and has a commercial kitchen, dining room, outside dining terrace, display halls, a small theater, restrooms, and an ample parking lot.
“I am looking forward to seeing the creative concepts people have for this facility,” Mount St. Helens Monument Ranger Rebecca Hoffman said in the release. “This is a unique opportunity to be part of a nationally significant place.”
Visit the site
The announcement noted a site visit to the visitor center was scheduled for June 25. During the visit, attendees will tour the facility and have an opportunity to discuss ideas with forest staff about what may be possible in the future. Those interested are asked to RSVP with sm.fs.rfei@usda.gov by June 18.
Details for submitting an Expression of Interest can be found on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website at: fs.usda.gov/goto/coldwater.
— The Reflector
