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Wenatchee council authorizes Public Works Board loan applications for water main and wastewater admin building
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Summary
The council authorized staff to apply for Public Works Board construction loans: $3,375,000 for the Crawford Water Main Replacement Extension and $4,956,466 for a wastewater treatment plant administrative building, and authorised the city administrator to sign applicant certification forms.
Darcy Browning, utility project manager for the City of Wenatchee Public Works, asked the council to approve two Public Works Board applications: a $3,375,000 Crawford Water Main Replacement Extension and a $4,956,466 administrative building at the wastewater treatment plant.
Browning said the Crawford corridor is one of the city's most troublesome water lines and the project would replace the line from Okanagan to Miller Street. She told the council that the Public Works Board awards are loans but that if an area is classified as "distressed" or "severely distressed," a portion of the loan (15% to 50%) could convert to grant funding.
"These are both loans," Browning said. "The Crawford Water Main Extension application is $3,375,000 and the wastewater treatment plant is $4,956,466." She said the administrative building is on the riverfront and, because that area is not distressed, it is less likely to receive grant components, though loan terms are favorable.
Council member Harreld moved to authorize staff to apply for Public Works Board funding for construction dollars in the 2025'27 biennium for the Crawford Water Main Replacement and Wastewater Treatment Plant Administration Building projects and to authorize the city administrator to sign the applicant certification forms; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
During questions, councilors asked how the hospital's water service would be maintained during construction; Browning said temporary above-ground lines or bladder systems would be used to ensure continuity of service.
What happens next: staff will submit the applications and return to council in the fall with award notifications and, if awarded, the full loan terms and any grant components identified by the Public Works Board.
