PRESCOTT – The Prescott Common Council has approved two resolutions authorizing agreements with Cedar Corporation to continue planning efforts for major community projects, including the next phase of the Coulee River Trails system and future improvements to the City’s Police Department, Library, and City Hall facilities.

The council approved an agreement with Cedar Corporation for professional design engineering services for the Coulee River Trails Phase 1 Segment 2 – Walnut Circle to Magee Park Trail Connection, and an agreement with Cedar Corporation for concept planning services for the Police Department, Library, and City Hall facilities.

The Coulee River Trails project continues to advance following the city’s approval of the Walnut Circle subdivision development agreement, which dedicated 23.9 acres to the public for park purposes. As part of that agreement, the city is responsible for constructing a trail connection between the Walnut Circle development and Magee Park.

The planned Phase 1 Segment 2 trail project will create a 0.24-mile ADA-accessible connection between Walnut Circle and Magee Park. The Parks and Public Works Committee reviewed a concept plan at its April 20 meeting and recommended that the plan move forward to the Common Council. The council approved the concept plan at its April 27, 2026, meeting.

To support the project, the city entered into a grant agreement with the Friends of Freedom Park/Coulee River Trails for $100,000, along with an additional commitment to raise $40,000 to help complete the trail improvements.

The council approved an agreement with Cedar Corporation for professional design engineering services to move the project from concept planning into construction-ready documents. The agreement with Cedar Corporation is for a lump sum, not-to-exceed fee of $18,150.

During discussion of the project, council members emphasized the importance of carefully reviewing the design details as the trail moves forward. Cory Scheidler, the Director of Architecture and Vice President at Cedar Corporation noted that additional review will be needed due to the challenges of the site.

“We’re going to have to dive into the details a little bit more just because of the grades,” said Scheidler.

Alderperson Bailey Ruona also expressed support for moving the project forward, quickly making the motion to approve the resolution and describing the investment as “money well spent” as the council continued efforts to expand the Coulee River Trails system.

The goal is to have the project positioned for potential construction in 2027, depending on final project costs and available funding.

The trail connection is consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which identifies goals of creating and maintaining a safe park, recreation, pedestrian, and bicycle network. The city currently has $73,762.38 available in the Parks Improvement Fund for the project. Once the Walnut Circle final plat is recorded with Pierce County, an additional $100,000 from the Friends of Freedom Park grant agreement will become available to assist with trail improvements.

The council also authorized Cedar Corporation to provide updated concept planning services for the City’s Police Department, Library, and City Hall facilities.

Cedar Corporation previously completed a Municipal Facilities Needs Assessment for the city in January 2024, evaluating current conditions and future needs for Police, Fire, EMS, City Hall, and Library facilities.

Since that assessment, the council has reviewed multiple options for addressing long-term facility needs, including the possibility of a combined Public Safety Building. However, challenges related to available sites, acquisition costs, property availability, and fire department response concerns led the city to reevaluate its approach.

The updated planning effort will focus on the existing municipal complex and evaluate potential renovation and expansion options for City Hall, the Library, and the Police Department. The concept includes the possibility of a new police facility connected with the existing municipal building, a multi-purpose community space, and potential demolition of the current Police Department building.

The Cedar Corporation agreement includes:

• Space Needs Assessment and Planning Services: $7,975
• Conceptual Design Services: $20,750
• Optional Exterior Renderings: $6,500

City staff recommended not completing the optional exterior renderings at this time, reducing the total project cost from $35,225 to $28,725.

Funding for the planning services will be divided between police impact fees, library impact fees, and the city’s capital fund.