Cashmere approves Cottage Avenue closure for Halloween trick-or-treating

CASHMERE — Cottage Avenue will close to traffic from Woodring to Douglas streets from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 after the Cashmere City Council approved a request intended to make Halloween trick-or-treating safer.

The council approved the Cashmere Chamber of Commerce’s request at its Oct. 12 meeting, following discussion of detours, truck access, insurance and the crowds that gather along the street each Halloween.

The decision follows residents’ requests at the previous council meeting to close the street during trick-or-treating.

City staff said the closure would use a detour previously used during summer sewer construction. Additional no-parking signs are planned at tight spots along the route, particularly around Alberta and North Douglas, where parked vehicles previously made turns difficult for trucks.

Director of Operations Steve Croci said he expects relatively little truck traffic during the five-hour closure, especially given that Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, but wanted the detour to accommodate any trucks that do arrive. The council also discussed keeping access open to the downtown block from Woodring to Aplets Way for people visiting restaurants and bars.

City employees would set up and remove the closure barricades, requiring some overtime. Staff also discussed having an employee monitor the area and respond to problems during the event. Flaggers are not planned.

Councilmember Chris Carlson questioned whether closing the street would expose the city to liability if someone were injured. Staff said the proposal had not been reviewed with the city’s insurer or attorney, but councilmember Jeff Johnson argued that leaving the street open amid heavy pedestrian traffic also presented a risk, and noted that the request had come up in the first place as an intended safety measure, rather than a planned city-sponsored event that might leave the city liable.

Carlson ultimately agreed, and staff confirmed that insurance was in place, as it always is during road closures.

The Chamber of Commerce is serving as the applicant for the closure. Mayor Jim Fletcher said Cashmere’s code allows street-closure requests from the chamber, school district or city only, providing a process for reviewing insurance and other requirements.

Councilmember John Perry also reported positive feedback from residents after the proposal became public. The motion passed unanimously.

Staff described this year’s closure as an opportunity to evaluate how the arrangement works and identify any changes needed for future Halloweens.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media