Eastside Shoreline - Surplus Property?

The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) announced in October, 2007 that it planned to sell 400 acres in Douglas County that included the Apple Capital Loop Trail along the Columbia River. The property, located between the George Sellar Bridge and the Obadashian Bridge along the east side of the river, was purchased by the DOT many years ago in expectation of locating a highway there. The expected road was not built, and now DOT is anticipating surplusing the property.

In the summer of 2009, the City of East Wenatchee and Douglas County joined efforts to work on a plan for this threatened DOT owned land. Project Groundwork was hired to conduct outreach to determine what the community wanted for the property slated for surplus sale. Using traditional and nonconventional methods, the opinions of 1248 individuals were collected and assessed during the “More Than a Trail” research campaign.

The resounding opinion was to retain the land in public ownership. The community, while presented with ideas for parks and commercial and residential development, wanted the land available for recreation and desired it to remain in its natural open space state. The “Eastside Shoreline and Trail Assessment and Visioning Effort” final report presented these findings and now serves as a guide for the City of East Wenatchee and Douglas Country as they move into the future. Visit the More Than a Trail Facebook page.