Design plans for Imagine Downtown Chelan project presented to City Council

CHELAN — The latest design updates for the Imagine Downtown Chelan (IDC) project were presented to the City Council on July 8 by Beckwith Consulting Group, marking another milestone in the ongoing revitalization effort for the city’s core business district.

Tom Beckwith, owner of the LaConner-based firm, outlined several design components that will reshape the intersection at Woodin Avenue and Emerson Street. Beckwith said his team has collaborated closely with Historic Downtown Chelan Association Executive Director Aimee Sheridan and Public Works Director Jake Youngren.

Key elements of the intersection redesign include consolidating ADA-accessible parking at intersections, extending midblock curbs and sidewalk-width crosswalks, widening ADA ramps, and retaining curbs around corners to limit vehicle encroachment. Beckwith noted that the plan maintains all current vehicle parking and adds three motorcycle stalls.

“We do not go more than half a block without access for handicap parking,” said Youngren.

New streetlights will come in two configurations — pedestrian-only and dual-use — and will include power, water, and audio capabilities. The downward-hooded lights will maintain current illumination levels while also supporting flag brackets at a height of 78 to 80 inches, a feature requested by the Lions Club. Beckwith confirmed the new lights will still accommodate flower baskets, holiday decorations, and flags.

“We have pedestrian only at the intersections and 14 duals,” Beckwith said. “The consolidated dual allow fewer lights to do the job that single lights are now doing.”

Columnar trees will line Woodin’s sidewalks to preserve visibility of storefronts, while larger canopy trees with a 30-foot spread will provide shade at intersections. “As they grow, we would be thinning them back…to allow a good clear vision of the storefronts and activities,” Beckwith said.

The project also calls for replacing existing guard rails and rock barriers — described by Beckwith as “harsh and hot” — with native, drought-tolerant plantings. Another consultant with the Beckwith team said they are coordinating with the city’s parks department to finalize a master list of appropriate plant species.

Benches with a traditional black metal frame and natural wood slats were recommended. Beckwith suggested future consideration of apple wood for a more historically relevant design. Bicycle racks will be concentrated at intersections and parking lots to reduce clutter along sidewalks.

Other proposed features include tree grates, runoff catch basins, and ADA-compliant alert strips. The consultants recommended movable emergency barriers instead of fixed anchor systems and discouraged the use of bricks or decorative paving materials in crosswalks due to potential damage from snowplows.

“There is a very, very strong sentiment downtown for no bricks,” Sheridan said, sharing public input she received.

Sheridan also acknowledged the “methodical and thoughtful” nature of the planning process, which Beckwith said is now about 60 percent complete.

The IDC project has been in development since early 2021. Key milestones include:

• 2021: Council passed a resolution supporting the project and accepted public comment.
  
  
• 2022: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and HDCA was developed and executed.
  
  
• 2023: Council approved Beckwith Consulting’s scope and fee. Survey results and configuration options were reviewed, with council selecting final configurations in November.
  
  
• 2024: The MOU was extended and amended, and council received multiple updates from Beckwith Consulting.
  
  

As the project advances toward final design and implementation, city officials and project partners continue to refine features based on community input and logistical considerations.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media