FRIENDS OF THE LOWER GRAND COULEE

James Building: General building and grounds maintenance for the year including sweeping, weeding, vacuuming, wall brushing, sidewalk de-icing etc. Coordination with project feasibility report i.e. RCDI Workshop and grantwriting assistance. Moving forward with upgrades to the historic James Building a multi purpose community gathering center in a key midtown Main Avenue location. Plans are well along to transform the building into an Arts and Natural Science Discovery Center. 2025 brought continued support from the professional and local community moving forward with strategic use, feasibility, and sustainability planning, design including community presentation including a well attended design charrette for valuable input focused on community priorities and needs. Architectural design, Structural Engineering design, Civil Engineering design, Landscape Architectural design and Professional Land Surveying* services *(completed in 2023 but utilized in 2025 for critical design layout) were enlisted to accomplish design and engineering needs. Ongoing drainage challenges have been addressed by engineered drainage plans beginning with establishment of surveyed property boundary lines. Storm water infiltration, detention, and overflow conveyance system plans have been submitted and approved by the local jurisdiction. Storm water infiltration and detention strategies have been successfully implemented and tested. Abandoned buried heating oil tank was decommissioned via bioremediation and repurposed for on site detention and natural infiltration. New cast-in-place foundation walls, entry drive, and courtyard patio have been installed including allowances for future exterior lighting and landscape irrigation. Volunteer hours for design include professional architectural, structural, landscape architectural, civil designs addressing permit approval coordination and construction administration: 52 hours. Non-professional support: 52 hours of Volunteer labor hours for exterior maintenance.

Education Funding. Fund teacher classroom grants, after school programs, outdoor educational programs, art education and other similar activities that directly or indirectly support knowledge and appreciation of the area, and/or will tie the communities of the Lower Grand Coulee together. Areas of education that may be supported include science, technology, math, literacy, and social studies. Grand Coulee by Road: explanations of landmarks between Soap Lake and the Grand Coulee Dam. This would include both well known and forgotten historical landmarks, with little known historical facts when available. The purpose would be to entertain and educate both locals and travelers while preserving history and returning relevance to both the lower and upper Grand Coulee.