Moses Lake temporarily stops kiosk project

Hole in Sinkiuse Square left open

MOSES LAKE - Installation of the first informational kiosk in Sinkiuse Square was halted leaving a hole in the ground surrounded by cautionary cones.

Organizers hoped to have the first one completed by Spring Festival.

Mayor Ron Covey said there was a miscommunication between the city and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Manger Debbie Doran-Martinez and Moses Lake Business Association President Rich Engelmann at a previous council meeting.

The city advised they would provide approximately $36,000 for the project and help ease the permitting process. Covey said the miscommunication left Doran-Martinez and Engelmann moving ahead without applying for a permit to place the kiosk, he said.

Ten kiosks are to be built throughout the city. The first was to be placed in Sinkiuse Square.

Columbia Basin Job Corps students dug holes and removed bricks from Sinkiuse Square Friday. They poured concrete down the holes to place the footing of the first kiosk.

The target date for completion was May 19. But the kiosk was never installed and now orange cautionary cones and a black tarp cover the hole.

"I don't know how come there was not a permit," Covey said. "I just want everyone to know the city is not being difficult here."

A city building official went to the kiosk site and saw the placement of the kiosk could be a potential hazard, he said. It's possible high-speed winds could knock the sign down so a stop order was issued on the project.

Covey said certain standards must be met before a permanent sign can be erected.

The project is under review by the city.