2023-09-25-minutes-public-works-study-session

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Staff Contact: Janea Stark 360.252.0812 CERB Meeting: September 21, 2023 { Agriculture • Warehouse/Distribution • Healthcare O Alternative (renewable) Energy • Manufacturing + Aviation • Tourism B. Supports Infiil Evaluate the feasibility of development of up to approximately 850 acres of land surrounding the Kittitas County Airport (Bowers Field). in addition, land previously used for the closed crosswind Runway 7-29 will be evaluated for development opportunities. This effort will produce a Master Plan document to report existing conditions of the properties and recommendations of actionable items to promote opportunities. The Master Plan will encompass the entire 850 acres of Bowers Field, with an emphasis on the "Ready to Lease" properties primarily south of W Bowers Rd that are more "infrastructure ready" for Conceptual Site Plans. The "Future Development" properties are primarily north of the closed crosswind Runway 7-29 and will be evaluated at a later date, as funding is available and development occurs. If this project is not funded, the timeline will ultimately be stalled until the County can secure funding to move forward. There is a high demand for developable land adjacent to airports for aeronautical and related uses. Industries are looking to move now and if this project is not funded, the crucial window of opportunity to utilize such desirable land may be missed. This will not only negatively impact the airport, but Kittitas County and the surrounding communities in the region. C. Evaluation Standards Short-term benefits: • Identify key industries who may be interested in the site. • Identify lot size and configuration, infrastructure needs, and wastewater treatment options. 10 Provide a supply chain analysis to identify potential growth opportunities. • Focus recruitment on industries that are not only compatible with the site, but with the community and its values. Long-term benefits: • Position Bowers Field and Business Park as an aviation training and light manufacturing hub. • Develop tools to strengthen the County's talent pipeline by aligning development, attraction, and retention efforts with the needs of current and future employers. • Provide a steppingstone to continue coordination between Central Washington University and employers to create opportunities for learning and employment for students and community members. • Expanding the aviation sector in Kittitas County will provide more jobs for graduating students and encourage talent retention. • An increase of employment opportunities in the aviation sector will provide higher -wage jobs. • Identify infrastructure investments needed to ensure sites are shovel ready to attract manufacturing companies and support expanding aviation training programs. D. Project Goals Kittitas County will have a completed Master Plan that will be used as a north star for future development. This Plan will identify the long-term vision for Bowers Field with flexible plan implementation approaches that respect market conditions and interests within the Plan's anticipated build out period. E. Project Concept The scope of work will include: