PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Kara Raftery (Zupke) | Communications & HR Manager
City of Leavenworth
509.548.5275 ext. 136 | [email protected]
LEAVENWORTH, WA – September 10, 2026 – The City of Leavenworth is seeking volunteers to apply for open positions on two (2) new steering committees to help guide the Upper Valley Community Center and the Roundabout Gateway Art Projects. The meeting schedule for either steering committee has not yet been set. City staff and Councilmembers will review, select, and appoint committee members.
Upper Valley Community Center (UVCC): The UVCC Steering Committee provides strategic guidance to the UVCC project. It is designed to represent the interests of a diverse array of stakeholders, both internal and external, and to leverage the varied backgrounds and skill sets of its members to establish and maintain project direction. Read the committee’s full charter here. The Steering Committee shall consist of the following voting members and non-voting advisory members:
| Title/Stakeholder Group | Role |
| City Councilmember | Committee Chair |
| Recreation & Tourism Manager | Project Manager (non-voting) |
| City Councilmember | (1) Member |
| Chelan PUD Resilience Consultant | Member (non-voting) |
| Aquatic Center Stakeholder | (2) Members |
| Library Stakeholder | (2) Members |
| Leavenworth Resident | (1) Member |
| Upper Valley Resident | (1) Member |
| Peshastin Resident | (1) Member |
| Stakeholder or Resident At-Large | (2) Members |
The term of appointment for all members shall be for the duration of the project or until a member resigns, is removed by a majority vote of committee members, or is otherwise unable to continue in their commitment to the committee. Selection criteria will include:
- Willing and able to commit to the necessary multi-year timeline;
- Commitment and interest in the successful development of the UVCC, with said interest informed by a balanced community perspective;
- Skills and experience related to previous work with community-based and/or planning projects, or a background in capital project delivery;
- A reasonable assurance that the selected member does not have a financial interest related to the development and use of the property.
Gateway Art Project: The project’s Steering Committee will support City staff in the development, selection, procurement, and installation of permanent public artwork in the roundabout located at the intersection of Highway 2 and Icicle Road. This intersection represents one of the most significant geographical thresholds in Leavenworth, and the artwork selected will be the first impression of the city for countless motorists. Read the committee’s full charter here.
The Steering Committee may consist of the following voting members and non-voting advisory members:
| Title/Stakeholder Group | Role |
| City Councilmember | Chair |
| Recreation & Tourism Manager | Project Manager (non-voting) |
| City Staff Engineer | Advisory (non-voting) |
| City Councilmember | (1) Member |
| Leavenworth Design Review Board | (1) Member |
| Local Artist/Arts Community Member | (2) Members |
| Representative of Chamber of Commerce | (1) Member |
| Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Representative | (1) Member |
| Community Member at Large | (4) Members |
The term of appointment for all members shall be for the duration of the project (a year-long process is anticipated) or until a member resigns, is removed by a majority vote of committee members, or is otherwise unable to continue in their commitment to the committee. Selection criteria will include:
- Willing and able to commit to the necessary year-long timeline
- Commitment and interest in the successful development of the Gateway Art Project, with said interest informed by a balanced community perspective
- Skills and experience related to previous work with municipal or community-based art projects or cultural assets
- A reasonable assurance that the selected member does not have a financial interest related to the development of the project
Interested parties who meet the qualifications are invited to submit a letter of interest via email, mail, or in person by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Letters of interest should specify the desired steering committee and shall be submitted to:
City of Leavenworth
Attn: Andrea Fischer, City Clerk
700 Hwy 2 | PO Box 287
Leavenworth, WA 98826
[email protected]
For questions or more information, please contact Kara Raftery (Zupke) at [email protected]. ###
