Moses Lake approves downtown funds

Bonds for downtown, FlowRider, ice rink total $6.1 million

MOSES LAKE — The money's in the bank, or it will be next month.

With improvements to the city's downtown corridor slated for later this summer, and an expansion to the aquatic center and ice rink not far behind, city council members approved a total of $6.1 million in bonds to pay for the plethora of projects on the Moses Lake to-do list.

Money for the limited tax general obligation bonds will move into the city's bank account June 5. Council members unanimously approved issuing and selling the bonds, and later approved advertising for bids on the downtown reconstruction project. Councilman Jim Liebrecht was absent from Tuesday's meeting.

The city began holding study sessions and meetings on the downtown redesign early last year, which will see construction after the Pig Out in McCosh Park festival in late July. The approximately $1.5 million construction project will include transforming Sinkiuse Square into a plaza, widening the sidewalks and slimming travel lanes to two from four on a portion of Third Avenue.

The proposed addition to the Moses Lake Family Aquatic Center would add a FlowRider wave attraction and lazy river to the current swim facility, and the ice rink proposals would build a year-round ice and in-line skating facility. The bond funding will also pay for a city parks and recreation department maintenance building as part of the new city shop complex currently under construction.

What's paying for the funding? Growth. City Manager Joe Gavinski said increased property and sales tax revenues coming into the city as a result of growth within the city limits, and the anticipation of continued growth are providing for the projects. The 20-year bonds will hold a 4.1 percent interest rate, extending through 2026.

A portion of the bonds issued for the FlowRider will be repaid through the city's hotel/motel tourism tax funds, but the remaining funds will be repaid through city general obligation funds.

Councilman Dick Deane told fellow council members in approving the bonds that while downtown discussions in previous years didn't move forward, the motion by fellow Councilman Richard Pearce to approve the funding has provided the opportunity for action on construction.

"With Mr. Pearce's motion tonight, we put a lot into motion," Deane said.

The council has authorized going out for bids on the downtown project, but still has to approve a contract for the construction in the coming months.

Municipal Services Director Gary Harer also answered questions from the council Tuesday that construction may slow business for a few days downtown, and some business owners who do not have back doors into their establishments may have to close for a few days at a time. One option for businesses during construction could be a gravel or plywood walkway to allow pedestrians to enter stores while the streets are torn up, he said.

Harer said the city has been working with the Moses Lake Business Association and businesses to prepare for the change.

"We'll do whatever we can to help and assist those businesses and still get the project done," Harer said.