City reaches agreement with Link Transit for new Park and Ride

The Leavenworth City Council has approved an inter-local agreement with Link Transit for maintenance of the planned new Park & Ride near Safeway. The council approved the agreement at the June 26 meeting. The city is being asked to maintain the restrooms on the facility, which are not typically part of a Park & Ride, but the city council felt it was important to add it.
The city will also maintain the turf area which is within the stormwater retention pond. As well, the city will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining trash collection within the parking lot during festivals. The city will also do parking enforcement on the lot.
“We will be having Pacific Patrol patrol that area for overnight parking, which is not allowed. Cars will be ticketed. That’s something we can do with our current staffing,” said City Administrator Joel Walinski.
The agreement also includes language for future cost sharing for capital maintenance improvements or damage to the facility.
“Similar to the other Park & Ride, when there are capital improvements over $500, Link and the city can have a conversation to see how the cost share should be divided,” Walinski said.
Snow removal and overall operation of the Park & Ride will be the responsibility of Link Transit. The city owns the Park & Ride in town, by the Post Office, while Link Transit will own the new Park & Ride.
The timeline for completion of the Park & Ride is summer of 2019. Walinski said total costs for city services annually are estimated at $6,000. The city and Link recognize this lot will be used by others and not just transit users.
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