.png.jpg)
Twin Transit entered into a new lease agreement with the City of Chehalis this week after the Chehalis City Council unanimously approved the terms during its regular meeting Monday night.
The lease is for five years, with options to add two additional five-year terms. Twin Transit will pay $310 annually. The lease amount was chosen using a Washington state Department of Transportation formula, Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson said.
The land is currently part of the park and ride lot located on Main Street next to Exit 77 along Interstate 5.
“(Twin Transit) has requested that the city lease them this area so that they can do some major improvements to create an attractive gateway for our city while providing even more parking spaces, a potential (dog) park, more electric vehicle charging stations as well as a bus transfer station,” Anderson said at the meeting.
Aside from adding a dog park and electric vehicle charging, there are also plans for a visitor center. She added Twin Transit has already begun improvements in an adjacent lot to the one detailed in the lease.
As the property will now be leased to Twin Transit, Chehalis city workers will no longer be responsible for maintenance and upkeep at the parking lot.
No matter what Twin Transit does end up developing, the lease agreement requires at least 33 parking spaces to remain available for the public. During construction, access to parking could be restricted.
“We do anticipate there will be more than (33 parking spaces) based on what they’re planning for, but they will have to maintain at least 33,” Anderson said.
Should Twin Transit decide to terminate the lease, a 30-day notice will be required within the first year and, after that, the lease can be terminated at any time as long as six months of rent is paid to the city.
