Cashmere eyes $1M sidewalk project near high school, seeks grant funding

CASHMERE — A stretch of roadway near Cashmere High School could see new sidewalks in the coming years, as city leaders move to align their plans with Chelan County in hopes of securing grant funding.

The Cashmere City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Chelan County on April 27, allowing the two agencies to coordinate design and permitting work for a sidewalk project connecting existing and planned segments along the corridor.

The proposal focuses on a gap between current infrastructure and a county-led project already moving forward. County officials have secured funding to build sidewalks from the Binder–Tigner split toward a sharp turn further along the route, leaving the city’s portion as a missing link.

City staff said the agreement will allow Cashmere to stay on the same timeline as the county while sharing design and engineering work where possible.

“They set us up good. They got a grant to create a gap. We’re trying to fill in the gap,” Director of Operations Steve Croci told the council.

Plans discussed at the meeting include sidewalks on both sides of the road, along with a bike lane or widened shoulder. Additional features, such as street lighting, could be added later depending on cost.

While council members expressed support for moving forward with design work, they emphasized that construction would likely depend on outside funding. Estimates for the city’s portion of the project are around $1 million.

“I would not spend a million dollars on that,” said Councilmember John Perry during discussion.

Much of the early work, including environmental review and stormwater permitting, would need to begin soon to keep pace with the county’s timeline.

“The two critical things are the environmental and the stormwater,” Croci said. “Because the stormwater, that’s like a whole year to get that.”

Croci said he is optimistic about their chances of securing grant funding, particularly with the county advancing a related project nearby.

“I feel we will be very, very competitive for a construction grant,” he said.

If successful, the effort would improve pedestrian access along a well-traveled route near the school while closing a long-standing gap in Cashmere’s sidewalk network.

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