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Residents press council to pedestrianize First Street and reopen Hale Skate Park
Summary
Two public commenters urged the council to keep part of First Street closed to traffic to create a pedestrian plaza downtown, and two teenagers asked that Hale Skate Park be reopened or that skate/scooter riders be allowed access to Veil Skatepark on weekends so they can practice safely.
Kenneth Johannessen, a downtown employee of nearly 40 years, asked the council to consider keeping First Street closed between Wenatchee Avenue and the pedestrian bridge entrance after nearby construction ends and to convert the block into a pedestrian plaza to better connect Hedin Plaza and the fountain area.
"Don't reopen it to traffic," Johannessen said, arguing that closing the block would create a pedestrian-friendly connection between Hedin Plaza and the fountain and could provide a place for small demonstrations or demonstrations.
Later, Kingston Van Winkle and Landon (two teenage residents) spoke about Hale Skate Park, which they said has been closed. They asked the council to allow access to Veil Skatepark on weekends or otherwise reopen Hale so action-sports participants (scooter riders, skaters, bikers) can practice safely.
"Hale is the best skatepark for having fun, progressing, and making new friends," Kingston said, adding that riders travel from other cities to use its ramps. Council members thanked the speakers and said staff would follow up; no council action was taken on the public comments during the meeting.
What happens next: council members acknowledged the suggestions and said staff would follow up; any change to street status or park access would require project analysis, cost estimates and formal agenda items.
