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Tourism-Related,Large-ScaleMunicipality-Owned Capital Project Narrative <br />1.Project Description:Please describe the project in detail.Indicate the major work to be <br />completed,any milestones that need to be overcome in order for the project to move <br />forward,and include a comparison of existing and proposed conditions. <br />Funds from the 'Tourism-Related,Large-Scale Municipality-Owned Capital Project'program will <br />be used to assist with the purchase of the property located at the northwest corner of 4th <br />Avenue and Pearl Street in downtown Ellensburg.This area is currently being operated as the <br />Wells Fargo Bank drive thru and the City operated 'Rotary Pavilion',the property totals 21,600 <br />square feet (.49 acres).The owners of the property recently expressed an interest in selling <br />the property,if acquired by the City,the property would serve as a downtown park and <br />community space.Through partnerships with various local organizations,the City will be able <br />to host and co-sponsor events throughout the year to our downtown. <br />For the past 36 years the City has leased 3,654 square feet (.08 acres)of this property for the <br />purposes of providing public space.The area being leased by the City has a gazebo,benches, <br />public art and beautification.By purchasing the property,the City,with communityand user- <br />group input,could design and develop a space meeting the current and future park needs in <br />downtown Ellensburg. <br />2.Kittitas County Tourism InfrastructurePlan:Please explain how the project meets the Goals <br />and Actions in the Kittitas County Tourism InfrastructurePlan as adopted.Also,describe the <br />specific county tourism infrastructure needs the project addresses and how the project <br />directly increases tourism.Explain how the improvements will promote tourism in Kittitas <br />County and indicate specifically how the improvements will directly increase economic <br />activity resulting from tourists. <br />Under public ownership this space will be available for weekend and weeknight events,as well <br />as general park use.The space is currently used as bank drive thru which limits the <br />opportunities for community events to take place at this location.Since the property's primary <br />function is that of a drive-thru bank,the site also creates some logistical and program delivery <br />challenges for existing events.By acquiring the property,the space can be redesigned and <br />intended to serve as a public park and gathering space.There are currently a handful of public <br />events already taking place at the site throughout the year.For the last 19 years this location <br />has served as the main venue for 'Jazz in the Valley',a three-day jazz event which over 3,000 <br />people attended in 2016.'Buskers in the Burg','Hoedown in the Downtown','Hometown <br />Holidays','Dachshunds on Parade',and the Farmers Market Children's Activity Day have also <br />used the space.At one time this location was home to the Ellensburg Farmers Market.If <br />acquired,the City,through a public participation process,could design and build a space that <br />meets a variety of needs.The space could be designed to accommodate someone looking to <br />have a picnic downtown to large scale community event that bring in tourists and tourism <br />dollars into our local community.