2026-05-11-minutes-public-works-study-session

Home Browse Search

KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: May 11, 2026 TOPIC: Kittitas County CWU Technology Transfer Center Feasibility Study Report ACTION REQUESTED: Informational Briefing, no action required. LEAD STAFF: Joshua Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Informational briefing — no action required by the Board. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Kittitas County was awarded funding for a planning grant from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). • The grant supported the development of a feasibility study to repurpose the Old Heat building into a Technology Transfer Center. • The Conference of Government supported the next phases of the project • Capital Stacking and Grant Support Documents have been prepared. BACKGROUND: The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) selected Kittitas County to receive planning grant funding. This grant, in addition to matching funds through the Distressed County Sales and Use Tax, supported the development of the Kittitas County CWU Technology Transfer Center Feasibility Study. In addition to the study, a Capital Stacking plan has been developed as well as grant support documents. DISCUSSION: This study has focused on the opportunities to transform the Old Heat building on the CWU campus into a center for innovation, training and economic growth. To help support economic growth the space within Old Heat has been identified for future use for technology, advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurship. As part of the study, the feasibility of a public/private partnership to share costs of construction and improvements has been explored. The feasibility study examined ownership models and identified the reuse and restoration of the building, rather than constructing something new, as the best path forward. Page 1 of 2 Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", May 11, 2026