Title
Downtown Street Improvement Projects
Recommended Action
None; information only
Report
Issue:
Receive a briefing on planned Downtown Street Improvement Projects
Staff Contact:
Sophie Stimson, Senior Planner, Public Works, 360.753.8497
Presenter(s):
Sophie Stimson
Background and Analysis:
The City’s pavement management system identified four downtown streets that need to be re-paved. The Downtown Strategy process explored the opportunity to make broader improvements to these streets. These projects will go beyond paving to include place-making and multimodal improvements. They will advance many goals for the downtown and are significant City investments in downtown infrastructure. The proposals are as follows:
• Legion Way: raised intersection, resurfacing and bicycle facility extensions
• Franklin Street: repaving, sidewalk replacement and curb bulb-outs
• Washington Street: protected bike lane and festival street
• Capitol Way: lane reconfiguration and wider sidewalks
In the fall of 2017 and winter of this year, staff conducted an outreach process for stakeholder groups including the boards of the Olympia Downtown Association, Parking and Business Improvement Area, and Downtown Neighborhood Association. In January 2018, staff held an open house to share the design concepts, followed by an online survey. The City received over 120 individual survey responses. There was strong support to proceed with the proposed design concepts for all four streets.
Based on the positive public input, we are moving forward with the construction of the Legion Way and Franklin Street projects in the near-term, and Washington Street and Capitol Way in the long-term projects (beyond 2025).
Work has begun to complete the design of the Legion and Franklin projects. Construction is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2020. Two public open houses will occur during the design process; the first is expected to be held in January of 2019.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Public outreach was conducted in fall and winter 2017/2018. There was support to proceed with the design concepts for all four streets. Public outreach, with an emphasis on downtown businesses, residents and property owners, will continue in 2018 and 2019 as the design for Legion Way and Franklin Street advances.
Options:
None. Briefing Only
Financial Impact:
Pavement management funds will be used. Grant funds have been sought and are pending.