March 2, 2026
Walter Diessler
President, Visalia Heritage
P.O. Box 216
Brett TaylorMayorLiz WynnVice MayorSteven A. NelsenCouncilmemberEmmanuel Hernandez Soto CouncilmemberBrian PoochigianCouncilmemberBrett TaylorMayorLiz WynnVice MayorSteven A. NelsenCouncilmemberEmmanuel Hernandez Soto CouncilmemberBrian PoochigianCouncilmemberVisalia, CA 93279 Brett Taylor
Mayor
Liz Wynn
Vice Mayor
Steven A. Nelsen
Councilmember
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Councilmember
Brian Poochigian
Councilmember
Brett Taylor
Mayor
Liz Wynn
Vice Mayor
Steven A. Nelsen
Councilmember
Emmanuel Hernandez Soto Councilmember
Brian Poochigian
Councilmember
Re: Support for the “All Aboard Visalia” / Visalia Depot Heritage Project Dear President of Visalia Heritage,
On behalf of the Visalia City Council, I am pleased to offer strong support for Visalia Heritage’s “All Aboard Visalia” capital campaign and the proposed transformation of the histWoric Depot building into a center for history, culture, and the arts.
The Depot has been a landmark in Visalia’s story for more than a century, first as a 1916 train station welcoming new residents, and, more recently, as a well-known local gathering place. The All Aboard Visalia project will preserve this beloved structure and repurpose it as a dedicated Visalia museum and cultural center, telling the community’s story from the Yokuts and Western Mono peoples through Visalia’s nearly 200 years of growth and change.
This project aligns with the City of Visalia’s priorities in historic preservation, downtown revitalization, cultural tourism, and educational enrichment. A vibrant, accessible museum and cultural hub at The Depot will:
Safeguard local stories, artifacts, and landmarks that define Visalia’s identity; Offer educational opportunities for students and lifelong learners; and Stimulate economic and cultural activity in our emerging downtown arts district.
For these reasons, the Visalia City Council is pleased to endorse the All Aboard Visalia project and encourages public agencies, private donors, and community partners to support this important investment in Visalia’s past, present, and future.
Thank you for your consideration of this transformative project. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Brett Taylor, Mayor
City of Visalia
P 559.713.4355 W visalia.govP 559.713.4355 W visalia.gov220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292 P 559.713.4355 W visalia.gov
P 559.713.4355 W visalia.gov
220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292
220 N. Santa Fe St. • Visalia, CA 93292
City Council