Construction begins on Glacier Lot in Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH—The Glacier Lot, or old DOT lot, closed for construction on May 20 and will remain closed for parking until project completion, anticipated for winter. 

The Glacier Lot Improvements project will grade, pave, and stripe the unpaved lot, which will include ADA parking stalls, electric vehicle charging stations, and RV and bus parking stalls. The project design also includes a Link Transit bus pullout and shelter, restrooms, a sheltered parking information center and kiosk, and bike storage.

The construction will cost just over $3 million, not including design and construction management services. The project will be paid for by the city’s Parking Enterprise Fund. The lot will become paid, timed parking once improvements are completed. 

“Construction is anticipated to cause temporary disruptions to nearby businesses and residents including but not necessarily limited to noise, dust, and changes to pedestrian or vehicle traffic flows,” said Kara Raftery Communications and Special Projects Manager for the City of Leavenworth.

According to the city, the alley between the parking lot and Mill Street will be closed during utility installation. The contractor will also perform dust control measures as needed. 

Access to surrounding businesses, such as the directly adjacent architect firm Syndicate Smith and Argonaut Coffee and Biscuits, will remain open via U.S. Highway 2. 

For the coffee shop, whose customer base utilizes the lot, owner Noah Dahlstrom said city staff were proactive in communicating the closure. Syndicate Smith is sharing the available parking space behind the building to assist with the closure.

“We've still been really busy. People have seemed to adjust and are parking behind the building or are finding some way of riding their bikes or walking,” said Dahlstrom. “We’re just super grateful at Argonaut with the way the community supports us."

As a business owner and a former resident of West Whitman Street, Dahlstrom said the dirt lot easily generates dust clouds in the surrounding area, and he was happy to see it paved. However, Dahlstrom said he was disappointed the lot would become paid parking.

“I don't worry too much about it affecting our business,” said Dahlstrom. “It's too bad that as a Leavenworth community we're losing that space as a meeting place, and as a spot that still feels like a little bit of a local thing, like you can go do your outdoor activity and drive up to Colchuck Lake, and leave a couple of people's cars there,” said Dahlstrom.

According to Leavenworth.org, the Glacier Lot was one of a handful of free parking lots surrounding downtown. It uniquely offered oversized vehicle parking and parking for up to 24 hours once within seven days. 

“Various options were considered for the Glacier Lot. While the lot will be paid parking after construction is complete, the hourly rate for parking is anticipated to be less than the City’s pay-to-park lots closer to downtown Leavenworth,” said Raftery.

Raftery suggested Wilkommen and Leavenworth Park-and-Rides for free parking and carpooling, both smaller options that do not offer overnight parking. 

The city anticipates site work will be conducted Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Construction for the restroom building will occur Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, hours are approximate and subject to change, according to Raftery.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media