Progress at last : new Maple Hall elevator, Caledonia pump station

Good things come to those who wait.

And on at least one front the waiting game is starting to tip in favor of the Town of La Conner, despite a lingering pandemic testing everyone’s patience.

Two long-awaited local public works projects, each of which has been years in the making, are active.

Equity Builders of Bellingham has started on the first major overhaul of the Caledonia Street pump station since 1987. Meanwhile, just up the street at Maple Hall, ThyssenKrupp of Everett is replacing an elevator that has been grounded for four years.

When completed, the upgraded lift station will be equipped with four pumps rather than two and be able to divert southside storm water low-flow run-off to the Town’s treatment ponds southeast of the roundabout. The Swinomish Channel receives it now.

It will also be able monitor levels of rainstorms, Town Public Works Director Brian Lease told the Weekly News.

“Water quality,” he said, “definitely plays into this project.”

The pump station project has been planned for more than a decade in conjunction with new housing developed south of Caledonia and street improvements around town sporting new curbs, gutters and underground piping for local drainage relief.

“This,” said Lease, “has been on the books for many years.”

The project stalled when monies included in a Town grant award were part of a statewide transfer of infrastructure funds to public education.

Town officials then began setting aside local drainage revenues over time to pay for revamping the pump station. Lease estimated the total cost, when engineering fees are included, will run between $550,000 and $575,000.

“Things are going well,” Lease said. “They’re shooting for completion by the end of September or early October.” That includes custom-built electronic control panels.

At Maple Hall, a workman began removing the guts of the disabled elevator Monday morning.

Although he declined to be identified or photographed, the man did say it has been “forever” that the Town has wanted a new elevator.

Lease puts the firm date as 2016.

“That’s when Janna Gage emailed me about the elevator,” he said.

Again, cost has been an issue. Lease said the price tag for what is anticipated to be a three-week project is “pushing $150,000.”

It is money well spent, however, both Lease and Mayor Ramon Hayes agree.

“I’m thankful we’re able to install it,” Hayes said of the elevator. “The longer we wait, the more expensive it would be. It gives the facility more utility and helps it better serve the public.”

Uplifting stuff, for sure, amidst COVID-19.