Work will continue in 2017 on big projects in the city of Yakima. One of the largest projects is the proposed downtown plaza. City Economic Development Director Sean Hawkins says the city now has nearly $5.3 million dollars pledged now converted into written contracts. But he says $9 million is needed before the project can move forward. So he says there's work to do in 2017. "The plan is to give the plaza committee until the end of 2017 to raise the funds." Hawkins says the city council will talk further about the plaza during it's first meeting on January 10.  But nothing will go forward until private funding is secured. That coupled with $3 million from the city would make a $12 million project.

Other big projects city officials plan to tackle in 2017 include;

The homeless issue and the possibility of a new encampment somewhere in the city.

Public art projects. The largest is the Bins of Light project above the Lincoln Avenue Underpass.

City parks are expected to see major improvements and work at Randall park is expected to be completed.

Officials at the Larson Building hope to raise enough money to complete a special lighting project of the entire building.

Work continues at the Sozo Sports Complex including road and intersection work near the soccer fields.

 

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