Chelan favors parking over new Highway 97A bike lane

CHELAN — Chelan city leaders signaled this week they are more interested in adding parking near Lakeside Park than extending a proposed Highway 97A bicycle lane through the city, giving staff clear direction to continue exploring parking options while expressing little enthusiasm for the additional trail segment.

The discussion centered on approximately three blocks of Highway 97A between Johnson Avenue and Water Street, where the Washington State Department of Transportation has proposed extending a multiuse trail as part of its larger Highway 97A improvements. The city would contribute an estimated $60,000 toward that portion of the project.

Public Works Director Jake Youngren instead presented council with another possibility: using that same corridor to create an estimated 15 to 20 additional parking spaces serving Lakeside Park.

"We know that that area has a demand for parking, and this could potentially be a way to help meet some of that demand," Youngren said.

He noted that cyclists would still be able to reach the Lakeside Trail by following existing streets through the park, preserving trail connectivity while potentially creating additional parking for one of the city's busiest recreation areas.

Several councilmembers questioned whether another bike facility was necessary, noting that the Lakeside Trail already provides access through the park and connects to the area where WSDOT's project would terminate.

"I feel like we've built a great trail that goes into Lakeside and has access to where the state's going to bring their project to," Councilmember Shane Collins said. "I'm not interested in this project in any fashion."

Other councilmembers echoed concerns about traffic congestion, emergency vehicle access and the state's proposed speed reductions along the corridor.

Councilmember Tim Hollingsworth said he would rather see the city evaluate how recent traffic changes around Lakeside function before making additional changes.

"I think we've made some radical changes to that end of town," Hollingsworth said. "I'm in no hurry to do anything different in Lakeside."

Councilmembers also discussed whether additional parking could help relieve longstanding congestion around Lakeside Park during the busy summer season.

Youngren noted that creating parking within the existing highway corridor could be substantially less expensive than expanding parking inside the park itself, where retaining walls and other infrastructure would significantly increase construction costs.

By the end of the discussion, Youngren summarized what he believed was the council's consensus: continued interest in studying parking opportunities, but little support for adding the proposed bicycle lane through city limits.

No councilmembers disagreed with that assessment.

The city may continue exploring parking concepts independently of the state highway project, with Youngren suggesting future renderings could help illustrate how additional parking might fit within the corridor.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media