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Wenatchee council approves several grants, contracts and a downtown land sale
Summary
The council approved a $250,000 Safe Streets grant program (including $50,000 local match), a $91,994.36 change order for the Broadview Improvements project, awarded three construction contracts including the North Wenatchee Water Quality and 5th & Emerson pedestrian projects, and approved a purchase-and-sale agreement for 1551 N. Wenatchee Ave with Hogback Development.
Wenatchee City Council on the evening’s agenda approved a package of grants, contracts and a commercial property sale intended to advance street-safety, stormwater and downtown redevelopment projects.
The council authorized the city administrator to sign a Federal Highway Administration “Safe Streets for All” grant agreement that the city will use to develop a safety action plan. City staff said the award is $200,000 combined with a required $50,000 local match for a total of $250,000 to produce a comprehensive plan designed to target and prioritize projects intended to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes.
Council also approved Change Order No. 5 for the Broadview Improvements Project (City Project 2107), authorizing an additional 10 working days and $91,994.36 to address unexpectedly poor roadbed soils, reconstruct base materials and temporarily bypass an automatic transfer switch for a lift-station generator so the work can reach substantial completion.
On downtown redevelopment, the council approved a commercial purchase-and-sale agreement with Hogback Development Company LLC for a roughly 1-acre parcel generally located at 1551 North Wenatchee Avenue. City staff described the deal as roughly $23.50 per square foot, a purchase price around $1,000,000, a 120-day feasibility period and two 60-day extension options at $10,000 each; the agreement includes buyback provisions if the developer fails to commence or complete construction within required deadlines and gives the city final approval over planned uses.
Public-works staff recommended and the council awarded the North Wenatchee Water Quality Project (City Project 2204) to the lowest responsive bidder, Hearst Construction LLC, amending the project budget to include work on an oil-control device and other stormwater improvements in the area north of Maiden Lane. The council then authorized a separate pedestrian-safety contract for the 5th & Emerson crossing (City Project 2312) to the lowest responsive bidder pending Washington State Department of Transportation and Transportation Improvement Board concurrence. Project staff said the intersection had at least two serious-injury pedestrian crashes since 2019; the work includes curb-ramp upgrades, removal of sight-obstructing vegetation, a pedestrian-actuated rapid flashing beacon and an ADA pilot using tactile-direction indicators for people with visual disabilities.
Each motion passed by voice vote during the meeting. City staff said the safety-action plan and the two construction projects position the city to seek subsequent implementation grants and to deliver infrastructure improvements in the coming year.
The council’s approvals on these items followed staff presentations explaining project scope, funding sources and procurement history and conclude the formal procedural steps needed to begin contracting and design work.
