MLSD board approves walking path agreement

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will pay up to 50%, to a maximum of $50,000, of the cost of building a walking path along East Nelson Road on the approach to Groff Elementary.

“Last year, the school district and the city were working together to partner on a walking path to (Groff Elementary). For some reason that fell apart last year, even though we had met with a contractor. We walked the property, the city has the space to do it on the right of way, but it fell through,” MLSD Board Chair Kevin Fuhr said. “I am proposing this year that we get it done - we can get it done this summer.”

Board members voted 5-0 to approve an interlocal agreement with the city of Moses Lake for the project during the regular meeting Thursday.

Fuhr, who is also the chief of police for the city of Moses Lake, said both district and city officials had heard from parents concerned about the lack of a path in a section of East Nelson Road where students walk to and from school.

Fuhr said city officials would award the bid and manage the project. While the interlocal agreement includes a maximum of $50,000 for the district’s half, Fuhr said city officials did not think the project would be that expensive.

Board member Paul Hill said the interlocal agreement designated the path as a temporary installation. He asked the reason for that. Fuhr said city officials plan to rebuild the street in the future.

“When (Groff Elementary) was built, this road was in the county. It was not a city street, which is why no improvements were done,” Fuhr said.

City officials are planning to apply for funding to rebuild that section of East Nelson Road, he said.

“A complete rebuild of the entire road, which includes widening, sidewalks, curbs, all of that, like a city street,” Fuhr said. “The city will rip out that entire stretch of roadway and rebuild everything.”

Timing was part of what prompted the need for the agreement to ensure student safety, he said.

“We’re talking a significant amount of money to do all that,” Fuhr said. “The earliest that it would get done is two years from now, and I don’t think we want our kids walking down the ditch to get to school for two years.”

The interlocal agreement is on the Moses Lake City Council’s agenda for its June 28 meeting.

“If they approve it - I’m hoping that they will — then we will put it out for bid sometime hopefully next week and get the project done before the school year starts,” Fuhr said.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.