Leavenworth News Update

Water Moratorium Continues-The city council voted to extend the water moratorium currently enforced in Leavenworth for another six months. The vote came at a council meeting on Nov. 13th. The initial moratorium was enacted due to 1200 applications for water hook ups and only 112 hook ups available. The city plans to devote a large portion of the Dec 11th meeting to revisiting the moratorium and possibly giving smaller projects within the city and urban growth boundary an exemption.

Good Morning America sets up shop for a live feed from the village green on Thursday Nov. 29th. The feed will begin at 4am, 7am New York time, featuring the Bavarian village lights and general Christmas theme. Many shops plan to be open for the gathered crowd including Uncle Uli's Pub and Starbucks.

The Gypsy Cafe has opened its doors. Leavenworth's newest restaurant, located at 931 Commercial St, offers paninis, soups, salads, and a revolving dinner menu. Their focus is on healthy organic food. Hours are 8am to 8pm everyday except Tuesday.

Leavenworth Shorts: Nov 16

• Leavenworth will have a new mayor starting Jan. 1, 2007. Rob Eaton, a Leavenworth City Councilman, ran unopposed in this year’s election. Eaton said he is very excited and “looking forward to continuing the tasks that have been laid down.”
• Local Olympian, Torin Koos, got pulled over last Saturday for obstructing traffic on his roller skis. A local resident called the police a Koos started up Beaver Valley Hill leading out of Plain. The resident was concerned since the road has no shoulder and hairpin turns. Koos is a two time cross-country ski Olympian.
• Leavenworth Winter Sports Club is holding their annual fundraiser this Sat Nov 17th at the Enzian Inn from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This year's main goal is to expand Junior and Adult ski programs and instruction. There will be a silent and a live auction. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the door.
• The Cascade High School football team continues to win. They defeated Cle Elum 42-14 last Friday night. Cascade will head to Pasco this Saturday to play Royal (11-1) in the second round of the state finals. Cashmere High School also made it to round two of the state finals and will play Connell (11-0). Both teams face tough opponents, as Royals only loss was to Connell.
• A few inches of snow still covers Steven’s Pass. The Pass received 8 inches earlier in the week but today’s rain has compacted the snow. The ski area typically opens when there is 24 to 36 inches on the ground. Mission Ridge continues to make snow and hopes for a Thanksgiving weekend opening. Keep your fingers cross! *News from Leavenworth Echo Nov 14,2007 (volume 104, No 46), Wenatchee World Nov 12, 2007.

Leavenworth Condo Update

Leavenworth Condo Update

In an earlier post I called 2007 "The year of the new condo" in Leavenworth. We have seen 5 new projects come on the market this year. River Park Homes, The Boulders, Aspen Suites at Icicle Village, Haus Wunderbar the newest on Titus Road. Condominiums have always been a hot item here in the Bavarian Village, but we probably didn't need so many new condos all at once.

The number of condos listed in Leavenworth so far this year is up 176%! Last year 50 were listed and this year the number is 138.

The number of sales and the sales prices are up considerably, but there is still too much inventory for the market to absorb.

As of today's date 23 Leavenworth condos have sold. That's up 53% from last year. The average price is up to $298,000 up 48% while the median price is up 65% to $325,000. Of course not all condos in town have gone up that dramatically in price, the majority of the price increase is the large numbers of new construction condos that have sold.

The market is slower than many developers might admit. Currently there are only 5 pending sales and 69 active condos on the market. That's a pending ratio of merely 7%. (A hot market would be at least 50%) At least one project has offered deep discounts and I suspect the others would be willing to make some concessions. I think there are some good deals to be had in this market (and some bad deals to avoid.)

Leavenworth Shorts: This week's news Highlights

• -The city council has decided on the design firm for the Leavenworth Train Station to be located on North Rd. HNTB Engineering Firm of Bellevue will be designing the platform. The plan is to break ground spring of 2008 and have trains stopping by the fall.
• -Tierra Learning Center is closing their doors. The future of the 315 acre site is uncertain but a local couple is looking into educational uses for the site. The 2 acre organic share farm will continue next year.
• -The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club is having their ski swap this Sat, Nov 10 from 9am to 11:45am at the Cascade High School. A $1 donation is accepted at the door.
• -Cascade High School football team has made into the first round of the state championship. They play Cle Elum on Friday night.
• *Information from The Leavenworth Echo-Nov 7, 2007, Volume 104, No. 45

Lake Wenatchee Ski News

Lake Wenatchee XC Ski News from Lake Wenatchee State Park

Hello everyone,

We're starting out the season with some unfortunate news. We will have no trails groomed out Nason Ridge this season due to logging on Longview Timber Company lands which begin immediately South of Kahler Glen Golf course and include most all the trail system "up top".

We will be grooming our "core trails", including 8k in the South Park, 5.3k in the North (limited skate lanes), and 8k at Chiwawa See&Ski (skate lane full distance).

Though we never know for certain year-to-year, Longview believes the logging will be completed this season and access to their land next season will likely resume. Many thanks to Longview Timber Company for allowing access to their land in the past, and we hope to be skiing up there next year!

Thanks,

Rick Halstead Park Manager Lake Wenatchee State Park