Washougal School District submits application to build bus barn

An application to build one of the projects associated with the Washougal School District capital facilities bond has been submitted to the city of Washougal. Comments regarding the construction of a new bus barn facility are being accepted.

The district plans to build a bus barn on 4.96 acres of vacant land located north of the Washougal School District administrative offices at 4855 Evergreen Way, and just off of Southeast Sunset View Road.

According to the application, the structure would be a 5,687 square foot metal building with a 1,017 square foot mezzanine to house a maintenance shop, dispatch office and associated storage. A new parking lot with 36 paved outdoor bus storage stalls and 36 paved employee and visitor vehicle parking stalls will be installed along with a new driveway to Southeast Sunset View Road.

A 6 foot wide concrete pedestrian pathway will provide an alternative pedestrian route from Southeast Sunset View Road south to Evergreen Way.

Other site improvements include: a bus-wash station, site landscaping, fencing, stormwater bio-retention and infiltration ponds, and other utility extensions to serve the site.

Surrounding the immediate area are single-family houses, as well as city-owned Mable Kerr Park and George Schmid Park.

“Project operation would generate long-term noise as Washougal School District buses move in and out of the bus maintenance shop and bus storage lot,” the application states. “Workers commuting to and from the bus maintenance facility would create additional road noise.”

Noise would also be created by bus maintenance crews using power tools, testing bus engines, or performing maintenance activities.

“The project site is used currently as a maintenance shop and administrative offices for the Washougal School District and the proposed use is not expected to increase the existing levels of noise emanating from the project site significantly,” the application said.

If approved, construction of the bus barn is expected to begin in June and be completed in November.

The bus barn is just one project being funded by the $57.67 million bond passed by voters in February 2015. It also includes security enhancements at all district schools, construction of a new elementary and middle school and a new Excelsior High School.

Written comments about the application for the bus barn project, and a likely State Environmental Protection Act determination of non-significance, must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, to City of Washougal, 1701 “C” St., Washougal, WA 98671, or jessica.herceg@ci.washougal.wa.us.