Tag: onevoicecoalition

by Richard Uhlhorn

Manson’s One Voice Coalition held its first public meetings on March 20/21. The coalition is a combination of the following organizations:

• Manson Community Council
• Manson Chamber of Commerce
• Manson’s Historic Main Street Association

Chamber director Timi Starkweather began the meeting by saying, “We are here to shape the community for the next five, ten, 20 years.”

Kim Ustanik is heading up the Historic Main Street Association. “It’s a place we are creating,” said Ustanik. The primary goal of the association is to preserve the historic nature of Manson.

Mike Kirk, Manson Community Council’s interim chairman added that the coalition is a unique chance to address Manson’s priorities.

The main purpose of this coalition is to bring the community together to:

• Build systems that will support healthy growth in Manson
• Provide places within the community that create tangible value
• Support business that will broaden economic opportunities.
• Tell stories that will attract meaningful investments.

The first meeting was well attended and the coalition’s consultant Dan Eernisser took up most of the time going over the coalition’s potential direction before turning it over to the public attending for their thoughts. (Note: people need to learn how to use a microphone).

Eernisser asked that the attendees use the sticky note pads to write down their desires for the Manson community and paste them to a wall provided. This generated 10 pages of desires which are summarized below:

Roads:
Over the past several years, the Manson Community Council and residents have been discussing road conditions around Manson, in particular, Wapato Way through the downtown corridor. Speeding cars and commercial trucks during harvest are the biggest complaint by residents living on Wapato Way.

Those attending this meeting specifically stated that truck routes, road improvements and vehicle capacity on Hwy. 150 need to be addressed.

Priorities:
Community priorities include lighting, murals, gateway signage, preserving the historic district, adding more outdoor seating, developing pocket parks and looking towards the County and State for funding opportunities.

Parking:
Parking is a problem in both Manson and Chelan, particularly during the summer months. Attendees want parking availability increased in the downtown area for residents and tourists.

Non-Motorized Traffic:
Everyone was concerned about sidewalk safety. Bike trails and the Northshore Pathway was mentioned more than once.

The Northshore Pathway is being studied once again by the Chelan/Douglas Transportation Council. The pathway would offer an alternative way to travel between Manson and Chelan.

In addition, someone mentioned opening up the old flume line in the Manson Project as a way for residents and visitors to access the variety of wineries, cider houses and other amenities in the area. (Problem… orchardists are against this idea because of spray drift and other concerns.”

Water Taxi:
There is a lot of interest in the possibility of having a water taxi operating in the Wapato Basin. The Boat Company is rumored to be studying this option of travel.

In addition, residents would like to see a Manson stop for the Lady of the Lake or Express. Years ago, the Lady of the Lake stopped in Manson to pick up passengers on the way to Stehekin.

Residents would love to see a non-motorized kayak/paddleboard launch in Manson.

Other issues:
There were many ideas proposed at the meeting including:

• Cultural history, i.e. apple history available for visitors to learn about Manson’s history.
• More parks
• Consistent participation from the County in Manson issues
• Revamp of the Urban Growth Area
• Incorporation
• Development of healthy shoulder seasons.
• Promote Echo Valley/Echo Ridge year round.
• Develop an indoor swimming opportunity for residents

Tangible Values:
Farmers Market expansion and development of an indoor market for year round operation

Events:
Events drive business. Manson has several successful events that help merchants. Winterfest and the Lake Chelan Hydro-Fest are two of the annual events that take place.

Residents asked for more spaces for community events and the inclusion of Sports events that would draw outside teams to play in Manson tournaments

Ag-tourism:
Offer farm visits… With the apple industry in a steep decline, this will require some serious attention. Manson has a full-on farm offering many opportunities for visitors to learn about farming. Also Manson Growers offers tours of its production lines and its new business Cider Press offers cider pressing and locally produced foods.

There was one note that stated that Manson has too many wineries and not enough food options.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the group will meet on Thursday evening, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and then again on Friday morning, June 6 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.