A musical extravaganza

The third annual Petaluma Trolley, Track & Trestle Music Extravaganza is set for Saturday, June 21

By YOVANNA BIEBERICH
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Nearly 100 years ago, trains were an everyday part of Petaluma’s transportation system. Today, the Petaluma Trolley group hopes to bring it back by raising funds for track and trolley restoration at the third annual Petaluma Trolley, Track & Trestle Music Extravaganza being held from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 21.

The event, held at the Yellow Barn on Baylis Street, features performances by local musicians the Sofa Kings, the Artifacts, Elaine Lucia, Chris Rowan, Teresa Tudury, 2 of Us:AFour-Piece Duo, Scott Gerber, Larry Potts, George Merrill, Gary Grubb and Pamela Joyce. Also performing are locals Chris Samson, Al Haas, Barbara Arhon, Steve Della Maggiora, Scott O’Brien, Cori Wood, Tom Farnham and John Lonacker. Music starts at 6 p.m.

“We believe the trestle to be a cultural and historical icon in the middle of our city,” said Chris Stevick of the Petaluma Trolley. “It symbolizes our position on the river and the unique quality that is Petaluma. As of this year, we’ve proven that not only can the trestle be saved, but that it’s worth saving.”

The wooden railroad trestle that spans 500 feet of downtown riverfront property is currently in poor condition. A recently completed historic structure report on the 85-year-old trestle concluded salvation is possible, but upwards of $2 million will be needed for the task.

“Events such as this one helped us pay for the study and it also helps us keep the public informed of our efforts and restore trolleys,” said Stevick. “We have a demonstration trolley, the California car, that’s just a little jewel to have. We need about $50,000 to finish it and hope to have it on the tracks this year. We’re in need of woodworking people who can do things such as making benches for it.”

The Petaluma Trolley is also raising funds for the creation of a trolley museum to celebrate the city’s history with the local railroad. “We have glass cases and about 50 feet of bookshelves, and we’re beginning to put our archives in them,” said Stevick. “Eventually we want to put together footage. If anyone has footage of trains in Petaluma, either stills or film, we would like to put them in our museum as part of our archives.”

Stevick added that the Petaluma Trolley is working with the Northwestern Pacific Historical Society and other agencies toward the goal of creating the museum, the location of which is to be determined.

“It would definitely be a draw for visitors and symbolizes our history,” said Stevick. “It would also educate people on how Petaluma thrived on having a trolley system.”

The Petaluma Trolley, Track & Trestle Extravaganza has helped raise more than $4,000 so far, with hopes of earning more at this year’s event by offering free admission by becoming a member of the Petaluma Trolley.

General admission to the music extravaganza is $15 adults, free for kids under 12. Membership with the Petaluma Trolley is $25.

For more information on the event or the Petaluma Trolley, visit www.petaluma trolley.org.

(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@argus courier.com)

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Old rail trestle should be saved

Published: Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008

The old wooden railroad trestle that spans a 500-foot stretch of the downtown waterfront was once a vibrant and functional part of Petaluma’s commercial and recreational life. But it has gradually fallen into despair and become an eyesore that is unsafe to even walk upon today.

Just north of the trestle, the city spent $7.8 million two years ago to transform Water Street into a “waterfront promenade.” To the south, the $100 million Theatre District project is the jewel of the city’s downtown redevelopment. But the trestle remains a blight on the otherwise rejuvenated downtown area.

Built in 1922, the trestle links the south end of Water Street with the foot of First Street. It was originally part of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad, which brought people and farm goods from the north to Petaluma, where they were transferred to steamers and barges bound for San Francisco.

For years after rail service stopped, the trestle and the adjacent wooden dock next to the Great Petaluma Mill could handle foot traffic for such events as river festivals and arrivals of boats. But not anymore.

In recent years, the trestle has become so dilapidated that it is dangerous to pedestrians and has been fenced off to prevent potential injury. There are holes in the wooden planks and the timber pilings that support the structure are deteriorating. It’s just a matter of time before the structure collapses.

It’s interesting to note that the railroad tracks were left intact along Water and First streets when the cobblestones, or pavers, were put in those streets as part of the downtown redevelopment work a couple of years ago. If the trestle were fully restored, it would make possible a trolley service that would run along the waterfront and possibly up to the factory outlets at the north end of town.

The trestle is a piece of local history that has been allowed to deteriorate for far too long. It’s encouraging that the recent report concluded that it can be saved. The city should resolve the ownership issue with SMART and then work with local groups to seek grants and private funding to supplement public funds so that repairs can move forward.

But a recently completed report on the trestle concludes that it can be saved — at a cost of more than $2 million. The question is, who’s responsible to pay for its repair?

The Water Street railroad tracks and trestle are owned by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District. The district has no plans for those tracks or the trestle as part of its goal of bringing commuter train service back to the North Bay. But it also may not have any interest in spending money to repair the trestle.

If SMART has no interest in repairing the trestle, it should turn over ownership to the city. The city has more at stake in getting the structure refurbished — even if it doesn’t have the funds to do so right now. It would cost $2 million just to repair it for use as a pedestrian walkway, $2.8 million to make it sturdy enough for trolley service.

While redevelopment funds could be used to help pay for the restoration, the project could also be aided by a combination of private funding and grants. Because of its historical significance (it may be the only structure of its kind in the country that serves as both a trestle and a pier), it may be eligible for federal restoration grants.