By Kevin Hanson, The Courier-Herald
Two potential tenants - one being an existing Enumclaw business, the other a non-profit agency - have expressed interest into occupying a city-owned building on Cole Street.
The property at 1429 Cole St., former home to 12 Stars Fun Center, sits vacant. The city owns the prime piece of real estate, which also is home to the Enumclaw Area Chamber of Commerce and its associated visitor's center.
After announcing it was looking for tenants for approximately 2,000 square feet of space, the city heard from the owner of Elk Hills Gallery and Plateau Outreach Ministries. Both made their pitch during last week's meeting of the City Council and both were put on hold; the council decided to keep the process open through Dec. 12, should others express an interest.
Plateau Outreach Ministries already operates a Cole Street office, but would like more room. Michael Cummings, POM director, explained the charitable organization would like to move its administrative offices into the city property, along with its food and clothing bank; that would allow for expansion of More Pennies From Heaven, the POM-operated thrift shop.
James Kelly, owner of Elk Hills Gallery, explained his current shop at 414 Roosevelt Ave. is simply too small to effectively meet his business needs.
While putting off a final decision, members of the council agreed to let Plateau Outreach Ministries use the space this week for its distribution of holiday food baskets.
The city has been collecting rent of $600 per month, according to City Administrator Mark Bauer.
In other action during their Dec. 8 meeting, members of the Enumclaw City Council:
€ canceled their meeting of Dec. 22. The council regularly meets the second and fourth Monday of every month, but typically skips its meeting the week of Christmas.
€ announced two public hearings for next month. Public testimony will be taken at 7 p.m., Jan. 15, regarding possible changes to the city sign codes. The meeting is a joint session of the City Council and Enumclaw Planning Commission. At 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26, council members will take public input on allowing casinos within the city limits.
€ Appointed Walt Pulliam to the Arts Commission, Michael Stensen to the Civil Service Commission, Ed Wilson to the Park Board and Jeff Coates to the Planning Commission. Also, the council reappointed the following: Vivian Froemke, Ralph Zech and Albert Tokin to the Cemetery Board; Bryan Heiser to the Human Services Advisory Board; Una Waldron to the Library Board; Cordelle LaRoche to the Park Board; and Doreen Bowie to the Planning Commission.
Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com
