Leavenworth considers PUD site for public works, MEND could benefit

LEAVENWORTH – Leavenworth City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) on Jan. 14 to explore the feasibility of relocating the city’s public works campus to an undeveloped portion of PUD owned land. The potential move would provide Upper Valley MEND the opportunity to finally purchase the parcel on which the Community Cupboard is located, and expand its offerings.

“We just want to see if it's feasible for us to relocate public works across the street, see if we can save taxpayers some dollars, and still build out a new public works campus,” said City Administrator Matthew Selby during the meeting.

The city’s current public works site is located along 14th Street on the edge of downtown Leavenworth. A space needs assessment in 2023 determined a need for the city to acquire property to expand its public works campus and add capacity to the existing wastewater treatment plant in order to meet future demand. 

To meet those needs, the city purchased the former Cascade Quick Lube & Car Wash in summer of 2024, located near the current public works site. However, given its zoning and proximity to downtown, Selby told the City Council it could potentially save money if they were to surplus the car wash and public works properties and relocate to the PUD site instead.

“What we staff and the mayor do believe, though, is that the value of [the PUD] land is going to be less than the value of the land that we currently own…The city was approached by a hotel developer in 2024 looking for 2.5 acres, which is exactly what we have…So we know that there is a higher and better use [for it] than the public works campus,” said Selby.

Under the MOU, the city and district will collaborate to review and assess the feasibility and mutual benefit associated with the potential lease or sale of the land over the next six to 18 months. The MOU does not obligate either party to go through with the sale or lease of the land.

If the city and district deem the relocation feasible, the site could serve as a central location for not only the PUD and public works, but also has the potential to incorporate a municipal campus and a satellite office for the Chelan County Sheriff. Located just in front of the PUD site, the Chelan County Fire District #3 station would also be in proximity.

“So, it provides kind of a home, a municipal campus, if you would, of the public agencies,” said Mayor Carl Florea.

The transition would also present an opportunity for Upper Valley MEND to secure the current location for its food pantry, the Community Cupboard, which has leased a portion of the public works campus from the city for 35 years. The MOU includes a provision for MEND to have the first right to purchase it if the city were to go through with its relocation and surplus the property. 

Over the years, the Cupboard continually signed one-year leases in anticipation of having to relocate when the public works campus eventually expands. The only exception has been its current five-year lease, which was a stipulation for a recent roof replacement. Additionally, the community’s needs have rapidly outgrown the pantry’s capacity in recent years.

“More than 1,300 households visited the Community Cupboard for food last year. That is a record for us…The food pantry right now has really stretched thin. We've been looking around at all of our options for the Cupboard’s location and where we are right now is really the best possible outcome for our clients and the community,” said MEND Executive Director Kaylin Bettinger.

According to Bettinger, the ability to purchase the property would not only provide stability for the pantry, but allow the nonprofit to expand and centralize its offerings. MEND currently provides services out of four locations, such as its free medical clinic at Cascade Medical, Das Thrift Haus, the Community Cupboard, and its offices, located on the inaccessible second floor of the historic River Haus. 

MEND envisions using the city's parcel, which includes the pantry and the land surrounding it, to expand the Cupboard and co-locate its other services in a modern, accessible facility, with the exception of the health clinic, which would remain at the hospital.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media