Moses Lake supports under-grounding utilities

Vision 2020 will monitor progress

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council pledged support and became the lead agency to move utilities under ground Tuesday.

Vision 2020 member and project leader Lee Blackwell asked the council for their support.

In the past there were issues getting all the involved entities to support the project. The entities include the city, Grant County PUD, Northland Cable, Qwest and Cascade Natural Gas, he said. It appears all entities support the project.

The project entails placing all utilities underground and paving the alleyways on Third Avenue to increase safety, aesthetics, create reverse storefronts and attract pedestrians, Blackwell said.

“It gives much more latitude to retailers,” he said.

He said according to the PUD the project can be competed by 2011.

The entities and the business owners would be required to pay for a portion of the cost. It is unclear how much the project will cost and how much each entity is willing to contribute.

The city blocks to be included in the project were not determined.

Destination Development Inc., recommended the city place the utilities under ground as part of their lake branding, Blackwell added.

Councilmember James Liebrecht asked if the business owners would rehabilitate the foundations of their buildings if the project reveals they are substandard once utilities are placed under ground.

“I have no idea if they are substandard,” Blackwell said. “I have no way to determine that. You already dug up the alleyways and the buildings didn’t fall down.”

Councilmember Richard Pearce asked if the PUD pledged monetary support because he guessed the cost to their entity could be several million dollars.

“They are strongly willing to work for you,” Blackwell said.

He said before money is contributed, the cost must be determined.

Blackwell said the city will decide how to continue work on the project and Vision 2020 will monitor their progress.

Vision 2020 member Ralph Kincaid said fixing the alleyways is the next step in creating a pedestrian-friendly downtown. He said he believes the PUD will place money in their 2009 budget for the project.

“We didn’t have the support of the PUD last time,” he said. “Now we have outspoken support.”

Pearce motioned to make the city the lead agency for the project and council member Bill Ecret seconded the motion.

Ecret said the project will help raise property values of the business.

Liebrecht said it’s important for the public to know the project is for the community and everyone should be involved. He said the alleyways were not chosen at random and the project is part of a plan the city has worked on for several years.