Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Pateros holds second annual Community Open House

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PATEROS – The city council chamber held about two dozen people who listened and contributed to two hours of presentations and discussion at the second annual Community Open House on Jan.28.

City officials described 2024-25 construction project updates, infrastructure projects, planning projects, and economic development ideas. Projects included:

  • Warren /Riverside intersection.
  • Commercial Avenue.
  • 2025 chip seal project.
  • Peninsula Park swim beach expansion.
  • 2025 planning projects.

Pateros school superintendent/principal Scotti Wiltse and Nolan Tonseth, Maintenance, Custodial, and Transportation Supervisor, kicked off the meeting with a presentation on the district’s $6 million project coming up this spring that will address improvements to parking, electrical, facilities upgrades, ADA and code issues. 

Warren/Riverside intersection

Pateros Mayor Kelly Hook said that when he first ran for mayor, there was “a lot of concern about the speed on Warren Avenue.”

Hook said his original preference was a roundabout – the first one in Okanogan County – but was persuaded to consider the redesign layout that is now in place. The state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB)funded the renovation to slow traffic speed, increase pedestrian safety, and improve visibility.

The jury is still out as to how effective the new changes will meet those goals, but Hook said the city is prepared to take further measures if needed. Those measures could include a stop sign at the intersection and the addition of speed bumps.

“We hoped to have some funds to fix the tennis courts, but that grant did not come through,” Hook said.

Commercial Avenue

Work on Commercial Avenue began last October and will resume this spring. The goals are to increase the city’s economic appeal and beautification, slow traffic, increase pedestrian access and safety, provide more parking, and manage stormwater.

“When the town was put in the mall was the main street,” recalled Hook. “When they put in the dam, they moved the highway so now from the highway you are looking at the alley side of the businesses. We are trying to figure out a way to make it look nicer, more presentable, and draw some business in from people on the road.”

The near-$two million project has three funding sources: $1,558,075 from TIB, $180,000 in ARPA money, and $32,8917 the city kicked in.

The city is still seeking funding for signage for the mall including the 20-foot Recreation Base Camp pillar and smaller array of seven-foot business identification signs.

A new parking plan along the south side of Commercial will provide more continuity with diagonal parking spaces along the business section of the avenue.

Chipseal project

“We just got word at the end of the year that TIB will fund 100 percent of the $343,064 of the 2025 chipseal project,” Hook said.

Streets involved include Lakeshore Drive, Commercial Avenue, and South Dawson Street in the downtown plus Park, Augusta, Edna, and Pearl streets north of Warren Avenue.

“That will be late spring or early summer but before Apple Pie so it will be swept and clean and looking nice all the way down to the old” city shop,” Hook said.

Peninsula Park swim beach expansion

“Douglas County PUD is going to extend (and pay for) the beach and fence line,” said Hook.

Along the way PUD will continue the existing retaining wall and railing, provide access for beach maintenance, increase beach access, and at the same time protect the large oak tree.

Wastewater system improvements

Hook said that during a meeting last year with legislators he related that the city’s sewer plant dates from 1998-99.

“It’s more than 20 years old and not holding to requirements,” said Hook. “We have about 320 hookups to our town water system serving a population of 600.”

Hook said when he estimated the cost to upgrade the system at $12-13 million, “You could have heard a pin drop.”

“We’ve got to start looking for funding now because it’s just getting older,” Hook said.

The wastewater system analysis compiled by city engineer Varela Engineering and Management reports that the majority of the city’s sewer system is nearly 65 years old. Many of the mains are constructed of asbestos cement or concrete and sit below the normal pool elevation of Wells Dam. Varela estimates wastewater improvement costs at:

  • Sewer collection system - $4.98 million.
  • Treatment plant upgrades - $9.33 million.

Resident Shelly Roalson suggested that the city designate a shelter or facility near the EV station where users can get out of the weather while charging vehicles.

“A lot of times with electric cars you cannot sit inside of them while there are being charged,” Roalson said.

Economic Alliance Executive Director Ronnie Holder-Diefenbach spoke about a new economic development plan for the county since the last one in 1968.

“We are in the process of doing an updated document to come with a plan that will make sense for all of our small rural communities as well as the county as a whole,” said Holder-Diefenbach. “Housing, childcare, transportation, all the things that impact our local economy are going to be addressed in that.”

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media

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