Title
Briefing on Downtown Alleys
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Heritage Commission and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees held a joint meeting in March 2013 to discuss alley improvements, including the historic alley naming project. There was strong support from both committees to pursue improvements to alleys downtown.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Briefing only.
Report
Issue:
Discuss opportunities to transform alleys from a blighted condition to an amenity for Olympia's Downtown.
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753.8495
Presenter(s):
Rich Hoey
Ron Thomas, Thomas Architecture Studio
Background and Analysis:
Improving alleys in Downtown Olympia is a key component of the City's Downtown Project Phase II - focused on making downtown "safe and welcoming for all." The goal of the alley project is to transform downtown alleys from a blighted condition - where drug use, public urination/defecation and other criminal activity is the norm - into safe, vibrant and welcoming public spaces. Many positive examples of alley transformations can be found in other communities.
Following discussions with staff, Ron Thomas of Thomas Architecture Studio generously offered pro-bono design services to explore opportunities to transform downtown alleys from the current blighted condition into an urban amenity for Olympia.
Two east-west alleys connecting Capitol Way to Washington Street (between Legion Way and 4th Avenue) were selected as pilot projects. These alleys have also been included in the City's "alley naming project", renaming downtown alleys after the historic "Mosquito Fleet" steamships. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Mosquito Fleet steamships ferried mail, goods and passengers to ports all around the Puget Sound and were a vital transportation link for Olympia.
After assessing the many challenges and opportunities with the target alleys, Thoma...
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