Let off steam at September Social
Steam Plant Square to be site of 1998 event

Technet Communique
A Catalyst for Growth & Communications in High Technology
September 1998
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This year, the September Technet Social will be held at the historic Steam Plant Square. Owned by Steam Plant Square LLC, a subsidiary of Washington Water Power and Wells and Company, the Square is comprised of the Central Steam Plant, the Seehorn Building and a new infill building. The whole project is one contiguous complex of approximately 80,000 square feet.

Although not officially open for occupancy until later this year, Steam Plant Square will be holding private events throughout the fall. According to Washington Water Power's Manager of Project Development, Kim Pearman-Gillman, Technet's September Social is scheduled to be the first event. "We're thrilled to showcase technology in our new building at this year's social. Our sponsors, Nextlink, Packet Engines, Steam Plant Square, Verio and WWP Fiber, are all helping to make this event a real treat," said Pearman-Gillman, also a Technet committee member.

At the September Social, slotted for September 16, 1998, tours of the Steam Plant will begin at 4:00 p.m., and Technet members will have the unique opportunity to see the history behind the future project.

The Central Steam Plant, built in 1916, served as Washington Water Power's primary downtown steam heating source for over 70 years. It was closed in 1986 due to the high cost of maintenance and reparation to the underground piping system, making operation no longer economically feasible.

The Seehorn building was acquired in order to provide street access to the Steam Plant. Constructed in 1890, the Seehorn building once served as a rail freight distribution center. It now complements the Steam Plant with Lincoln Street access. Both the Steam Plant and the Seehorn building have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Washington Register of Historic Places and the Spokane Register of Historic Places.

The Steam Plant and Seehorn building are connected by a nearby building that will serve as the parking and office space with a restaurant on the top floor, overlooking downtown.

Steam Plant Square's history is an interesting as its future. As part of the Terabyte Triangle, Washington Water Power anticipates the Square to be occupied by a variety of high-tech companies, internet service providers, unique retail shops, restaurants and other commercial establishments.

So, don't miss this year's social. You may never get a chance to see a future so tantalizingly raw again.

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