Work Begins at Fifth Street & Wenatchee Avenue
Chelan PUD reached agreement with the YMCA (“Y”) of Wenatchee in late 2023 to sell144,000 sq. ft. of land at the former PUD headquarters location at Fifth Street and Wenatchee Avenue in downtown Wenatchee for a new, state-of-the-art YMCA facility. As of April 2024, the Y already has more than $13 million dollars raised in its $25.4 million capital campaign to build a new recreation, fitness and community center on the PUD property.
Demolition work begins on the Y property in May with construction following in early 2025. This aggressive development schedule is in keeping with the PUD’s promise to the community that it wouldn’t let this prime downtown property go vacant.
During summer 2024, the PUD will be busy with their own development project installing new utilities and a roadway through the center of the site - named “Electric Avenue,” as a nod to the PUD’s long history at this location. The new street will serve as a welcoming entrance to the Y and a pedestrian-friendly connection to downtown Wenatchee.
The PUD also is continuing negotiations with the Music Theatre of Wenatchee (MTW) and the possible expansion at their current location. This would allow MTW to keep their operations at Riverside Playhouse and give the south end of the property a refresh.
The remaining 117,360 SF of the former PUD headquarters building and adjacent lots along Wenatchee Avenue will be marketed to potential development partners. This may include demolition of the remaining buildings. The community, a local advisory group and representatives of the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, City of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Wenatchee Association worked with the PUD in 2019 to develop a vision for redevelopment of the 7.5 acre campus.
This prime property will serve as a welcoming gateway for residents and visitors alike for generations to come.