Former PUD headquarters awaits reuse partner as redevelopment advances

WENATCHEE — Chelan County PUD is seeking a partner to repurpose its former headquarters building, with staff hoping to share more about its future by the end of the year.

Project Delivery Manager David Lodge told commissioners Oct. 19 that the building remains the final piece of the former campus’s redevelopment, following the opening of the new YMCA and improvements supporting other community uses.

No redevelopment partner or agreement was announced.

“So the purpose of the redevelopment effort was never to simply sell off the property, but to foster redevelopment in a way that complements downtown and benefits the broader community, which is no small task,” Lodge said.

Staff are pursuing an adaptive reuse of the existing building, giving the structure a new purpose.

“So we are actively working to find the right partner for an adaptive reuse of the existing building that will benefit the community, and we're optimistic we'll hopefully be able to come back and share more information by the end of the year,” Lodge said.

His update came as the PUD marked a major milestone elsewhere on the former campus: the opening of the YMCA’s new facility on Electric Avenue.

The facility includes an aquatic center, gymnasium, indoor running track, group fitness room, exercise equipment, childcare facilities and community event space.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Oct. 15, followed by a public open house Oct. 17. Lodge said speakers thanked the community for helping raise more than $30 million for the new facility.

The YMCA also shared plans to remodel the former fleet shop for additional programming, he said.

Lodge said the PUD’s construction of Electric Avenue helped facilitate the YMCA development and expansion of the Riverside Playhouse, leaving the headquarters building as the remaining piece.

While work toward a permanent use continues, the PUD made the building available to accommodate the museum’s annual haunted house, The Haunt, during renovations that have closed the museum’s own facility.

Lodge said the museum approached the utility about using the space. He described the arrangement as an opportunity for the community to use the building while the PUD prepares for its future.

“So of course, this is a very exciting milestone in the redevelopment story for the old PUD campus, but it's not the end of the story,” Lodge said.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media