Kittitas County Public Works staff updated the commissioners on a feasibility study examining reuse options for the Central Washington University (CWU) building commonly referred to as the “Old Heat” facility and possible links to economic development at Bowers Field.

Josh Fredersen, Public Works, said the county received state grant funding from the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) with local matching funds from the county’s sales-and-use-tax allocations to support the study. The feasibility work focuses on organizational structure, public–private partnership models for construction financing, and economic and financial analysis rather than building finishes.

Fredersen said CWU has invested in HVAC, electrical and seismic upgrades and that CWU’s Business and Community Services is assisting with the economic analysis. Stakeholder meetings included developers, local business owners and other potential partners. The study will produce a draft report and recommendations on business models, funding approaches and steps to leverage CWU’s intellectual property and regional assets to attract industry.

Fredersen also discussed linking the Old Heat site to available industrial land at Bowers Field—where CWU has a footprint and flight-school operations—to provide space for growth that the Old Heat building may not accommodate. The feasibility report will be finalized and returned to the board with next-step recommendations; no procurement or capital commitment was made at this meeting.

Commissioners asked no substantive follow-up questions during the session; staff said the draft report is being prepared and will contain the financial and organizational analysis needed for future decisions.