RiverCom 911 receives green light for facility planning

WENATCHEE — RiverCom 911 has received unanimous approval from the state’s Project Review Committee to move forward with a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) delivery method for its planned emergency communications center.

The GC/CM method allows public agencies to bring a contractor into the planning process before final designs are completed. Having the builder involved early is intended to identify potential challenges ahead of time and keep construction on schedule and within budget.

“This approval moves us one step closer to delivering a modern 911 center designed specifically for our needs,” said RiverCom Executive Director Doug Jones. “Planning smart from the start helps avoid delays, prevent costly mistakes, and make sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.”

RiverCom 911 currently operates from the third floor of the Wenatchee Police Department, but the city plans to repurpose that space to expand police operations. At the same time, the facility no longer meets the agency’s needs. Officials say the dispatch center has outgrown the available space, limiting the ability to hire and train additional emergency dispatchers needed to maintain reliable service.

Constructing a standalone center would give RiverCom the room to expand and modernize its operations to better serve first responders across Chelan and Douglas counties. The agency’s Board of Directors is reviewing options to fund future system improvements, including development of a dedicated facility.

The GC/CM process is frequently used for large or complex public projects in Washington. By involving designers, builders and agency staff early, the approach reduces last-minute changes and budget issues.

For RiverCom, officials say the collaborative method is essential to delivering a dependable, 24-hour communications hub for residents and visitors in the two-county region.