City has projects aplenty for 2007
Published 10:50 am Thursday, December 11, 2008
Enumclaw's long-term future will largely be shaped by events taking place in the following 12 months.
That's not simple hyperbole being offered by Mayor John Wise. He believes actions taken within the city during 2007 will have serious implications down the road, helping to define Enumclaw's role in the South Puget Sound region.
And with a handful of major developments being tackled in the months to come, it's easy to see where the mayor is coming from. On the city's agenda for ‘07, at least, are crucial work on the largest public works project in city history and continued debate over how to make the fairgrounds work in the city's financial favor.
A series of smaller challenges will combine to keep the folks at City Hall on their toes.
Here's a look at some of the items in the hopper as the new year dawned.
Wastewater treatment plant
Just as the city's current period of slow growth is linked to the building moratorium, Enumclaw's future growth will be a direct offshoot of upgrades to the plant, which will allow for the lifting of the moratorium on development.
“It'll be huge,” Wise said of the day when Enumclaw doesn't have to turn developers away at the door.
An expansion and upgrade to the sewer plant has been talked about for years, as the city dealt with state and federal agencies to clear various hurdles and worked on landing a series of low-interest loans.
Now, with nearly all the preliminary work done, the city can look forward to the day when construction begins. That should occur in June, Wise said, with the bulk of the work to be done by July of 2008. “The facility will be usable” by mid-2008, Wise said, and the moratorium will be lifted. Some work will continue into the spring of 2009, he said, but should not delay the city's ability to issue development permits and utility connections.
The city is estimating population growth at about 5,000 more residents during the next 20 years, a slight boom that will only happen with modern sewage treatment.
“We hope it's slow growth,” Wise said. “We have some people really interested in Enumclaw.”
Fairgrounds property
The transaction should be finalized by now, giving the city ownership of the entire fairgrounds parcel - the Pete's Pool area, the football field and bleachers, office and livestock buildings, rodeo arena and more.
The property is thought of as the centerpiece to the city's future plans for attracting tourists and the dollars they bring.
During the coming year, city administration and council members will debate exactly what form this plan will take - using county money along the way. When King County handed the acreage to the city, it came with a $2 million contribution; half is to be used for capital improvements and half goes to operations.
Some of that money will be used to pay an additional employee, Wise said, noting the grounds will need a full-time manager.
The short-term goal for the city is to keep large events coming to the fairgrounds - like the Highland Games and Olympic Kennel Club dog show - while encouraging community use of all the facilities.
This month, the city will move its Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services into the fairgrounds offices. Registration for all department offerings will be done at the new space, rather than City Hall.
City hall transformation
With Parks and Recreation departing for quarters at the fairgrounds, Wise has been looking for ways to consolidate City Hall operations.
His answer is to move financial operations to the west end of the building (where Parks and Rec has operated) and move his office to the east end, putting administrative functions in the same area.
The total cost of the shuffle, he figures, will be less than $25,000.
The public will notice the difference because the front counter will no longer be inside the main entrance. Those paying their utility bills in person - a number that's shrinking all the time - will want to enter through the west doors.
Welcome Center
If things fall perfectly into place, construction of this long-planned facility could begin during 2007, Wise said.
Supporters have $3.3 million on hand, with be asking the state Legislature for $320,000 and are lobbying for another $1 million from the federal government. Plans for the multi-tenant facility have ranged from $3 million to $6 million, Wise said.
As planned, the center would house local offices of the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, be the new home to the Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce and its visitor center, include an interpretive center and provide a home base for bus service taking guests into the national park and to Crystal Mountain.
Trail extension
Wise has been an avid supporter of walking trails and now hopes to see serious consideration given to connection the Enumclaw and Buckley portions of the Foothills Trail. It's an idea being pursued by both cities, along with King and Pierce counties.
King County has put money in its ‘07 budget to continue the planning process, Wise said, noting the final unpaved mile sits on county property.
Connecting the two sections - which requires a bridge over the White River - carries a hefty price tag. King County demands that emergency vehicles be able to use the bridge, Wise said, which pushes the cost to as much as $4 million.
Wise hopes trail partners will be ready to seek state money by 2008.
Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
