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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />2023 STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: June 26, 2023 <br />TOPIC: Thorp Mill Feasibility Report <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Public Works has recently completed a feasibility study assessing the potential to <br />add a wet bathroom facility to the parking lot of the historic Thorp Mill. <br />• In round numbers, the water supply and wastewater facility are estimated in the <br />$400,000 range. <br />• Previous discussions have included access to lodging tax grants offsetting the cost <br />of annual operations. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In 2022, the nonprofit Thorp Mill approached the State Parks Department soliciting for <br />interest taking over operations of the tourist facility. Ultimately, State Parks declined to <br />proceed with acquisition. The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) directed staff <br />evaluate the potential costs associated with county acquisition. PW conducted a land <br />survey in spring 2023 and has recently completed a schematic design and associated cost <br />estimate for water and wastewater improvements at the mill. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />There are sufficient environmentally sensitive areas surrounding the mill such that <br />placing a wet toilet facility outside the existing parking lot is not feasible. There does <br />appear to be sufficient area in one corner of the exiting parking lot supporting a wet <br />toilet. Water supply and waste disposal will take place remotely on lands held by the <br />nonprofit. PW is currently estimating the cost of the restroom at approximately <br />$400,000. Providing the BoCC desires moving ahead with acquisition, PW should refine <br />the cost proposal and place the mill onto the Parks and Recreation Capital Facility Plan. <br />If the BoCC elects to delay action on acquiring the mill, the nonprofit should be <br />encouraged, with staff support, seeking a lodging tax allocation offsetting operational and <br />maintenance costs. <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2023 <br />