Ellensburg Daily Brief

Here’s a quick look at what’s happening around Ellensburg and what’s coming up in the next few weeks.

Signups open for 2026 Ellensburg Academy

Enrollment is now open for the 2026 Ellensburg Academy, a free two-night class that gives residents a behind‑the‑scenes look at how city government works. The sessions run from 6–9 p.m. on March 11 and March 18 at the Hal Holmes Community Center on North Ruby Street.

The academy is open to adults 18 and older and covers city services, decision‑making, and ways to get more involved. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

City recruiting Sustainability & Energy Coordinator

The city has posted a new Sustainability & Energy Coordinator position as part of its 2026 hiring. The role will focus on energy efficiency, climate and sustainability efforts across city operations, and support long‑term utility and facilities planning.

Residents who want to work locally on climate and energy issues are encouraged to review the job listing and contact Human Resources with questions about qualifications and benefits.

Crews preparing for a busy year of public works

City staff are lining up a full slate of 2026 public works projects, including an annual residential sidewalk repair program that will also upgrade several Ellensburg Central Transit stops. A new traffic signal and wider sidewalk are planned for the Mountain View Avenue and Bull Road intersection, improving safety and closing a key pedestrian gap.

Other work scheduled for this year includes an overlay on Canyon Road from Umptanum Road to Mountain View Avenue, structural repairs on the University Way bridge over the BNSF tracks, and upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant to make the system more efficient and resilient.

Gateway II stormwater and trail project advances

The long‑planned Gateway II project on University Way continues moving through design. The city recently reached the 90 percent design milestone and received a project extension from the state Department of Ecology, keeping the work on track for construction funding applications later this year.

When built, the project will add a permeable‑pavement bike and pedestrian path and bio‑infiltration swales along a stretch of University Way on the east side of town, improving stormwater treatment for local creeks and the Yakima River while creating a safer route for people walking and biking.

Sources

• https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/m/newsflash/home/detail/1606
• https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/m/newsflash/home/detail/1575
• https://www.ellensburgwa.gov/1180/Public-Works-Projects
• https://www.ci.ellensburg.wa.us/1143/Gateway-II-Project