Moses Lake utility burying continues

MOSES LAKE — Vision 2020 Chair Bill Ecret gave an update about the utility under-grounding project proposed for the downtown area alleyways.

Vision 2020 is collaborating with the City of Moses Lake, business owners and Grant County Public Utility District, to place utility lines underground and paving the alleyways. The effort it to attract more people to the downtown area with pedestrian friendly alleys and possible reverse storefronts.

“The city has been working on this,” he said.

Several months ago, the city relinquished the project to Moses Lake so they could use in-house engineers to create an estimate of the project cost, Ecret said. Before an estimate can be created, the city must know how much funding the PUD is willing to contribute to the project.

Once the amount is determined, the cost estimate for the city to assist with the project will be presented to Moses Lake City Council for consideration, he said. A cost estimate for business owners will also be established.

In the past commissioners were supportive of the project and they were recently sent a request asking for their consideration again, he added.

A decision from the PUD has not been made yet.

Ecret said most business owners are enthusiastic about the project.