Winthrop considers new timeline for pedestrian bridge

By Carol Stull
    Winthrop folks are learning that despite years of project planning, unforeseen circumstances can still throw a monkey wrench into the deal. A bridge builder dies. Economic hard times hit.
    Town council members discussed consequences of such turns of fate at last Wednesday’s (July 21) meeting.
    Mayor Dave Acheson advised council that Sahale engineers will continue on course to complete Spring Creek Bridge design documents, adding,
“We’re still exploring what will happen after that.”
    The mayor noted the engineers will be paid some $40,000 to $50,000 – already budgeted in the original Sahale contract. Half will be paid up-front, the balance upon completion.
    He said state funding agencies have been “very sympathetic” about possibly extending deadlines, but the town has pledged to provide the Department of Transportation with a revised schedule request by the end of August.
    A slightly shaken council also learned that bridge designs now must deal with the possibility of vibrations in the span. A consulting firm hired by Winthrop’s contract administrator John Battle recently advised that this should be addressed.
    The mayor explained that no structural standard must be met; the matter is more of a “comfort” issue for pedestrians/bicyclists crossing the bridge.
    Concerned about creeping expenses, council members reacted with surprise to this news.
    “One would assume that for $1.8 million, it should be comfortable to walk across the bridge,” said councilman Rick Northcott.
    “We’re not going to run out of money are we?” worried councilwoman Gaile Bryant-Cannon.
    The mayor assured that such unanticipated costs could be met by contingency funds already built into the project budget.
    In a slight bit of good news, the mayor announced that a title glitch with the Akker property has been resolved, taking another small step toward completing Susie Stephens Trail right-of-way acquisition.  
    And Acheson told council the town would apply next month for small DOT grants aimed at roadway enhancements such as sidewalks and bike racks.
    An additional concern: Councilwoman Mort Banasky asked what is to happen with the former Pine Near RV Park property – now sitting vacant “in the middle of town with tall, dry grass,” potentially a fire hazard and an eyesore.
    The mayor said he shares her concern, but reported the town has received court documents indicating that the Moes’ ambitious project for building condos on the property has ended in bankruptcy. He pledged to look into what can be done to resolve the current problem.
    Acheson later confirmed it would be possible for another developer to take on the already-permitted Pine Near condo project. One would have five years from the prior approval date (that was June 2009) to meet the conditions as specified by the town.
    Staff at the downtown information center report that many visitors have been asking about the RV park and are disappointed it is no longer there. The Moes could not be reached for comment.
    He also commented that it’s a sign of the times that a number of previously controversial Winthrop development projects have not materialized.

    Attempting to encourage locals to get ready for disasters – natural or economic – Kristi Laguzza-Boosman informed council of efforts by the Methow Valley Community Preparedness Committee to organize neighborhoods and to help new local businesses get training and financing.
    Council also agreed to sign on for another year with the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force for a new, lower annual fee of $1,000.
    Also on the law enforcement front, the mayor later advised that Winthrop’s police force remains at three officers. Ken Bajema was hired as deputy last month following the departure of Matt Moen, who had been hired earlier in the spring. Acheson noted Bajema, of Twisp, already had qualified on Winthrop’s most recent list of eligible applicants.

Map courtesy of Town of Winthrop: A general alignment of the pedestrian trail from downtown to the south side of Winthrop.