City Considers Property Purchase at Spader Bay

Addresses demand for more public access to Lake Chelan

by Dennis Rahm

Area residents are invited to weigh in on whether the City of Chelan should pursue the purchase of undeveloped property at Spader Bay to be used for public access and open space. The proposal will be discussed at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 10^th.

The nine and one-half acre parcel of land sits below The Lookout and has been for sale for quite some time. The cost of the land, or how much the city is prepared to offer, has not been announced yet. City Administrator Mike Jackson tells LakeChelanNow that a purchase and sale agreement could be voted on at the next council meeting.

LCN Interview with Mike Jackson, Chelan City Administrator

Purchase and sale discussion is exploratory

The property won’t accommodate a road for vehicle traffic, but Jackson says it can serve as a connector to the new paved trail from Don Morse Park to the roundabout.

Could connect walker and biker trail access

The City of Chelan recently contracted with a firm to study and develop a concept plan for existing public access points to Lake Chelan waterfront at several locations within the city limits. Some of the access properties date back to the early 1900’s with Jackson noting, “it’s a concept that’s been around for a very long time”.

The upcoming city council meeting to discuss the Spader Bay property acquisition will allow public comments of up to three-minutes. The meeting on Tuesday, September 10^th will start at 6 pm in council chambers at City Hall.