Locomotive pulls into Pivot Point project

Plans for the Pivot Point redevelopment project reached a pivotal moment as officials gathered Tuesday morning to celebrate the installation of a 100-year-old locomotive near the spot on the banks of the Colorado River where railroad history was made in 1877.

In the background, construction crews worked on the Hilton Garden Inn and companion conference center - key projects in the effort to redevelop Yuma's historic riverfront.

"It's thrilling to be here," said Yuma Mayor Larry Nelson. "This is a landmark day."

The 277,000-pound, 1908 Baldwin locomotive was moved late last week to what is expected to be its final home. It will be the focal point of an interpretive display to celebrate the community's place in the nation's history as the pathway across the once-mighty river.

In September 1877, the first train into Arizona crossed the Colorado River off Madison Avenue on a swing bridge that pivoted open to accommodate steamboats traveling the river, said Luis Heredia, a representative for Union Pacific.

The railroad helped fund the locomotive's relocation from the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Park. BLT Companies moved the engine.

"We appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with rail history," Heredia said, noting that the Sunset Railroad through Yuma historically was vital to the nation's migration west "into the sunset."

Not much remains of that railroad swing bridge today except the concrete column that inspired the name Pivot Point for the riverfront redevelopment effort.

But in the years to come, residents and guests can relive those glory railroad days to the haunting sound of a "ghost" steam locomotive, said Gary Munk, president of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. A series of speakers will broadcast the train's whistle at various times of the day, he said. And at night a laser light will trace the path of that first railroad.

Pivot Point is a joint venture of the city of Yuma and La Jolla-based C.W. Clark Inc. in an agreement dating back about 10 years.

It's been a long coming to fruition, with many hurdles to overcome, noted Nelson. It literally took an act of Congress, he said, to clear the way for various land transfers between the city and the federal government to put together the real estate for the project.

Today, he pointed out, the conference center - reflecting the design of the Southern Pacific hotel that once stood on almost the same spot - is framed and roofed.

Completion of the 20,000-square-foot conference center is slated for late this year, hopefully in time for the first convention booked there in early November. The four-story, 150-room hotel is now being framed and is expected to open by the end of the year.

Future Pivot Point phases will include riverfront restaurants, a boutique hotel, townhomes, specialty retail stores and apartments.

Coupled with the reconstruction of Main Street, development of Gateway Park and a planned federal courthouse, Pivot Point is expected to revitalize Yuma's historic north end and bring new prosperity to the area, said developer Clark.

"This is where you will find the gourmet shops and nice businesses," he said.

The Pivot Point project is already gaining recognition. The redevelopment project received a public-private partnership award in 2007 from the International Economic Development Council. As a highlight of Tuesday's ceremony, City Administrator Mark Watson presented the award to Clark.

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at lobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.