Title
Briefing on the West Bay Park Restoration and Master Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the West Bay Park Restoration and Master Plan
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing and discuss the West Bay Park Restoration and Master Plan.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Planning & Design Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.570.5855
Presenter(s):
Laura Keehan, Planning & Design Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation
Jesse Barham, Habitat Planner, Water Resources
Jim Brennan, Principal, J.A. Brennan Associates
Background and Analysis:
West Bay is an area of significant interest to the community. In recent years, the City has undertaken important assessment and planning efforts pertaining to this location.
2016 West Bay Environmental Assessment
The assessment is a science-based analysis of potential habitat and water quality improvements along Budd Inlet's West Bay shoreline from the City limits to the 4th Ave Bridge. In addition to habitat restoration, public access and trail options were discussed. Partners included the City of Olympia Public Works and Parks, Arts and Recreation Departments; the Port of Olympia; and the Squaxin Island Tribe. The study alternatives focus primarily on publically owned properties. Conceptual approaches for private properties were also included. This earlier work effort provides key concepts and analysis that informs the West Bay Park master planning process.
2018 West Bay Park Restoration and Master Plan
The master plan will create a blueprint for a waterfront park and a restored park shoreline that integrates a waterfront trail, recreational amenities, and reestablishment of the functions and values of the shoreline environment.
Olympia staff have partnered with J.A. Brennan Associates to implement an inclusive design process to develop the master plan. A variety of public involvement methods are being used over the approximately 14-month planning process, including online surveys and several interactive public workshops and meetings.
Building on the conceptual restoration and trail alternatives developed in the habitat assessment, and considering public input as well as the physical characteristics of the site, the consultant team has developed an Alternatives Screening Memo (attached). The memo outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each design principle for the four alternatives. Through the screening exercise, the consultants identified a preference for Alternative 2.
Staff will present each of the alternatives along with their identified advantages and disadvantages at the study session and discuss next steps for continuing development of the master plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Because of this community park’s waterfront location, there is broad public interest in the restoration, trail and park improvements at the site. Staff has hosted two public meetings and two online surveys for the project to date. These have been well attended and survey responses have been in the several hundreds for each survey.
The Squaxin Island Tribe has significant interest in the shoreline environment of West Bay and has been engaged with the habitat assessment, as well as the current master planning effort.
The Port of Olympia owns the lagoon area adjacent to the park and the parcel directly north of the park. They have also been involved with both the prior and current efforts.
Options:
Information only.
Financial Impact:
Costs for the assessment were shared between the City and the Port of Olympia (1/3 Parks, 1/3 Public Works, 1/3 Port).
Development of the master plan is funded by Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation.
Grants and capital funds will be used for future construction of the trail, park and restoration features.
Attachments:
Alternatives Screening Memo & Matrix
Drawings
Link to Project Webpage
Link to Environmental Assessment