City Council Meets Oct. 8; Town Hall Scheduled for Oct. 9

Information Released by the City of Chelan

At its September 10, 2019 meeting, the City Council authorized the Mayor to enter into a Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement for approximately 9.5 acres with shoreline frontage in Spader Bay.  The City determined it would be difficult to publicly discuss the property without risking an escalation in price and made an offer of $400,000.  If this offer is accepted by the Seller, the City will have 120 days for due diligence as well as conducting public meetings to gauge public interest.  The City may terminate the agreement for any reason or no reason whatsoever during this period. Although the term “Purchase and Sale Agreement” might lead some to believe it is a done deal, this absolutely is not the case.  The City will not move forward without public input and final authorization of the City Council.

The City has conducted several studies and plans over the years that show the general public desires more open space and shoreline access.  If acquired, the Spader Bay property would be used for public access and enjoyment. One potential concept would connect a natural trail to the North Side Trail, which eventually will run from Don Morse Park to Chelan City Limits along SR 150 toward Manson. A portion of this trail was paved from Don Morse Park to the roundabout at No-See-Um Road in 2018. The new paved trail is used extensively by the public.  Keeping some shoreline property natural and secure from future development is one of the goals of the acquisition.

Additionally, when Lake Chelan Dam was built in 1927, it raised the level of the lake by 21-feet.  Many city streets were buried by the higher water, but the City still owns access to the lake where those streets existed.  Part of this project is to identify and evaluate several of those access points to determine if and how they might be developed for public use.

The potential acquisition of Spader Bay and multiple other potential access sites will be discussed at the October 8, 2019 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m at City Hall.

A Town Hall Meeting will also be held on October 9, 2019 beginning with an Open House at 5:30 p.m. and with the presentation beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Chelan Senior Center.  The City’s consultant, J.A. Brennan and Associates, will be present to discuss possible concepts for multiple properties including the Spader Bay property.

All citizens of Chelan strongly encouraged to attend both meetings.