Wenatchee Valley adapts to population growth needs

From housing developments to infrastructure upgrades, communities across the Wenatchee Valley continue to see new development proposals as local governments and builders respond to population growth and evolving economic needs.

“The area is needing a lot more multifamily units in order to accommodate the growth projections that we've gotten from the state,” said East Wenatchee Community Development Director Curtis Lillquist.

Several large complexes are underway throughout the valley. Weidner Apartment Homes’s Majestic Apartments project is expected to add over 200 units to downtown Wenatchee in summer 2027, with parking, live-work spaces and other amenities. Next door, Weidner plans to renovate and revitalize the historic jailhouse for food and beverage use, while adding two new retail buildings on either side.

Across the river, several hundred apartment units are being proposed. In smaller communities throughout the region, larger apartments are either proposed or are now opening their doors, such as the Autumn Haus Apartments in Leavenworth, also by Weidner Homes.

As growth leads to traffic increases, the Wenatchee Valley is looking at significant transportation upgrades. This spring, construction started on phase one of the Confluence Parkway project in Wenatchee. Phase one is expected to be completed in late 2027, and includes two new bridges spanning the BNVF Railway at McKittrick Street and N Miller Street, and 1.25 miles of new, multimodal street. Once all four phases are complete, the full project will be a new two-lane arterial road that begins at the existing intersection of North Miller Street and SR 285/North Wenatchee Avenue and extends north over the Wenatchee River on a new bridge connecting to the US-2 and Euclid Avenue interchange.

Similarly, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is planning on 2028 construction for the State Route 28 East Wenatchee Corridor Improvement Project. The project aims to enhance safety and mobility on a route that WSDOT says nearly 20,000 vehicles travel along every day. Work includes widening State Route 28 from two lanes to four, constructing sidewalks and bike lanes, and installing a curb median. Construction of multi-lane roundabouts are also planned at the intersections of Valley Mall Parkway, 15th Street, 19th Street, and 23rd Street.

While larger developments take shape, cities are also looking at ways to diversify options and create infill housing within existing neighborhoods, such as revisiting zoning, Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries and removing barriers to building.

For instance, the cities of East Wenatchee and Wenatchee teamed up to commission pre-approved plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which are free for people to use within city limits. Because the plans are pre-approved, builders save time and money on permitting fees.

“A large apartment complex is millions of dollars,” said Lillquist. “An accessory dwelling unit doesn't cost nearly as much… and you can do those on a smaller piece of property…The market of people that could potentially do that is much bigger.”

According to Lillquist, the efforts have had an impact. Prior to last year, the city would only see one ADU permit application every few years. Last year, he estimated about 18 ADU applications, with nearly half using the pre-approved plans.

“Our goal with the pre-approved plans was to get the conversation started, to get people thinking about Accessory Dwelling Units, and to get it moving,” said Lillquist. “Our goal is to get housing built.”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media