Title
Agenda Item:
2013 Construction Projects
Body
Issue:
Recognition item.
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager's Recommendation:
No Action Required. Recognition - Telling Our Story.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Director of Technical Services, Public Works Department, (360) 753-8494
Presenter(s):
Debbie Sullivan, Director of Technical Services
Background and Analysis:
The 2013 construction season is almost here. This year, Council committed approximately $39 million in construction to improve the City's infrastructure and City-owned buildings. There are 20 projects expected to be in progress between March and December.
This year Public Works is changing the way we communicate with the public. With the help of IT Services and Communication Services, we launched a new Interactive Construction Map (olympia.wa/construction) that takes the place of countless stagnant, labor intensive web pages. It's so much simpler and more useful for the public, providing all pertinent information in one place in addition to one-click access to featured projects, project contacts, a new Twitter page and more! This map is much easier for staff to maintain. What used to take hours or even days to accomplish can be done in minutes. The City is saving staff time and increasing the value to our community.
Also with the help of IT and Communications, we launched a new Twitter account (twitter.com/olyprojects). This is the result of a successful 2012 pilot project. The City used Twitter to update followers on the 18th Avenue construction project. We surveyed those who followed us and 100 percent commented that the information was helpful and 72 percent reported they would follow a Twitter page if it included all City construction projects. The page has been launched and we will be using it to announce important information in real-time, short notice impacts, like road closures/traffic delays, meeting reminders, and miles...
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