City Moves Forward with Plaza And Aquatic Center Projects

The Yakima City Council Took action Tuesday that pushes two big projects forward. The Council directed staff to begin creating ordinances to move forward with the Yakima Downtown Central Plaza and the Yakima Rotary Aquatics Center planned for Chesterley Park. Council members on Tuesday voted 5-1 to create an ordinance to start construction on the plaza project regardless of a lawsuit filed by an association calling itself Preserve Downtown Parking. Association officials say the lawsuit to stop the plaza project was filed on Tuesday.
Council member Jason White voted against the ordinance while council member Dulce Gutierrez was absent.
Also on Tuesday the Yakima city council voted unanimously to create an ordinance that accepts a re-negotiated contract and begins work on the Yakima Rotary Aquatics Center planned for Chesterley Park. The city also directed staff to apply for loans and grants to help fund road improvements around the project. The council plans to vote on the ordinances at the April 17 city council meeting.