City projects selected as NCWEDD 2023 priorities

PATEROS-BREWSTER-BRIDGEPORT  – The Pateros Mall renovations and library are among five Quad City projects to make the 2023 list of 20 regional priorities selected by the North Central Washington Economic Development District (NCWEDD).

“Thirty-six projects from throughout Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties, and the Colville Confederated Tribes submitted applications to either the NCWEDD or the Okanogan County Economic Alliance for the ranking process,” said a NCWEDD media release.

This year the NCWEDD prioritized 10 projects each from Okanogan County/Colville Confederated Tribes and Chelan/Douglas County. The other three Quad City projects include the RV Park and Swamp Creek projects in Brewster and the Bridgeport sewer treatment facility.

“The top projects…will be eligible for grant writing support and administration along with technical assistance, as needed, to successfully secure funding and advance projects forward,” the release said.

Brewster RV Park

This phase entails preparation of a plan, design (including utility extensions) and permits for a 60-unit RV park with amenities on land acquired by the city from the Douglas PUD and upgrade 5 existing spaces to full hookups. The new park will include a continuation of the existing day-use area along the waterfront with paths, picnic shelters, hand launch, restrooms, playground, and parking, with the new RV park setback 200 feet from the water. The RV Park will feature restrooms/showers with full hookups including Wi-Fi and a limited number of tent sites. The estimated cost for this phase is $300,000.

City Finance Director/City Clerk Misty Ruiz said the city is in the very beginning planning process for the RV park expansion.

Brewster Swamp Creek Project

The city seeks funding to prepare a watershed plan for Swamp Creek to provide concrete data on the creek’s annual and potential maximum flows. The plan will include potential options and cost estimates for mitigation measures to reduce the effect of high flows and prevent flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) RISK Map program has resulted in draft flood maps that place a good portion of the commercial and industrial area, US 97, a PUD substation, and the railroad in the projected "floodway" of Swamp Creek. If the FEMA assessment is adopted, all development and improvements to existing structures within the designated floodway would be prohibited. The project would result in real numbers for Swamp Creek rather than numbers based on a regression analysis of similar watersheds elsewhere in the County. FEMA used this technique because there is no stream flow data for Swamp Creek. The Plan is estimated to cost $20 million.

Ruiz said this project is waiting on a consultation from USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

“They will survey the project to determine if it is eligible for the flood mitigation program,” said Ruiz. “The city is anticipating this consultation will happen this year.”

Bridgeport Sewer Treatment Facility

The 2020 Pearl Hill wildfire destroyed Bridgeport’s wastewater treatment lab. Since then, the lab has been largely rebuilt. At the most recent city council meeting on Jan. 18, Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem said while a “substantial punch list”  of minor items remain to be completed the goal was to have the lab operating by the end of the month.

Pateros Mall Renovation

The Pateros Mall, built in the mid-60s, is main street for the central business district and needs rehabilitation. The project requires replacement of the existing hardscapes, addressing stormwater, and replacement or lining of deteriorated water and sewer mains which are more than 60 years old and at the end of their useful life. The project is broken into three phases: Phase 1 - preliminary design and survey of Mall, stormwater, and parking; Phase 2 - Design and engineering of stormwater, water and sewer infrastructure; Phase 3 – Construction.

“The city is seeking funding to conduct an in-depth study on needs that support local businesses and economic development on the public space,” City Administrator Jord Wilson said.

Pateros Library

Relocation Project.

The building has served the community well for over 50 years. However, times have changed. The index card file systems of the past have transitioned to online databases; encyclopedias are no longer printed; and continuing education classes can be attended remotely. Computer stations and the infrastructure and space supporting them are a critical link for students, job seekers, and business owners. As the City's top ranked project of those submitted, Phase One of this project will be seeking funding for a consultant to survey the needs of the community library and drafting plans for improvements, Wilson said.

“The top projects will become part of the NCWEDD 2023 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update,” the release said, “and will be eligible for grant writing support and administration along with technical assistance, as needed, to successfully secure funding and advance projects forward.”

Okanogan County/ Colville Confederated Tribes

1. Omak Reservoir Project
2. Tonasket Perfect Passage
3. Okanogan Surface Water Project
4. Brewster RV Park
5. Omak Public Safety
6. Pateros Mall Renovations
7. Winthrop Water Line
8. Brewster Swamp Creek
9. Pateros Library
10. OK Mazama Comp Plan

Chelan/Douglas County

1. Columbia Street Adaptive Reuse

2. Chelan Airport Waterline Extension 

3. Pangborn Memorial Airport General Aviation Terminal Modernization

4. Bridgeport Sewer Treatment Facility 

5. Entiat Riverfront Development

6. Center Senior Living 

7. Climate Action Plan for Wenatchee Valley and Surrounding Communities in Chelan and Douglas Counties

8. City of Rock Island Wayfinding Plan

9. Backing Small NCW - Rural Community Revitalization

10. NCW Center for Entrepreneurship/Innovation

The NCWEDD, a federally designated economic development district and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has secured more than $9 million of grant and low-interest loan funding for a variety of projects in Okanogan, Douglas and Chelan counties and the Colville Tribe. Learn more at ncwedd.com.