Mattawa's Government Way project on slow track

MATTAWA — If you’re thinking the planned renovation of Government Way (main street) is going slow, you are correct. It may be a long time before you see the improvements.

The planning – actually dream – portion of the project is not yet complete. According to Improvement Committee Chairman Lars Leland, the plans should get to the city council later in the year.

The last of the dream meetings was held on April 5. Leland said about 20 people attended, and many of them were new from the previous meeting.

“We talked about the first community meeting in December,” Leland said. “We talked about what December came up with in terms of ideas.”

Now, Leland said, the WSU Rural Community Design Initiative team members present will turn all of the ideas into a design concept that will be submitted to Gray & Osborne of Yakima, the City of Mattawa’s engineers.

The ideas were developed by three committees: Streetscapes, Safety and Future.

The Streetscape group discussed different types of road surfaces, different types of curbs and different types of sidewalks. It also discussed the installation of park benches, garbage cans and greenery. One consensus idea was the planting of sagebrush, instead of streets, along the streets.

“The city likes that idea because it won’t take as much maintenance,” Leland said.

Another idea was the placement of large welcome signs at the west and east ends of Government. There might even be two on Highway 243, before the roundabout on each side.

The signs would have pictures and written information about past and present Mattawa. There might even be some park tables or benches for motorists to sit and read the signs.

The Safety group discussed how crosswalks should be made. The consensus suggestion was pedestrian traffic lights.

The Future group discussed creating a truck route around town. Group members believe it would not be an inconvenience for truckers to use Road 25 to and from Highway 243.

“The would allow delivery trucks into town,” Leland said.

The Future group also discussed a town square, parks improvements and more and improved housing.

“Perhaps a hotel in the Desert Aire area,” Leland said.

Once the committee receives the WSU design, Leland will take it to the Mattawa City Council. The Council will forward it on to Gray & Osborne.

If and when the Council approves the final design, it will be up to Leland to start seeking funding sources.