Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Easement for the Ensign Road Pathway Project
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to acquire a Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Easement for the Ensign Road Pathway Project from Olympia PropCo, LLC.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the purchase of the easement needed to construct the Ensign Road Pathway Project.
Staff Contact:
Tim Richardson, P.E., Project Manager, Public Works Engineering, 360.753.8749.
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
Currently, a well-worn, uneven dirt trail on private property leads from the end of Ensign Road to the Chehalis-Western Trail. From Ensign Road, the trail dips down and crosses an area that is often wet and muddy.
The City Council received a petition signed by 82 residents of The Firs Senior Living. The petition asked for the path to be paved so people with mobility restrictions could access the Chehalis-Western Trail. The City received a similar request from the administrator of Olympia Transitional Care & Rehabilitation.
In 2015, the Woodland Trail Greenway Association (WTGA) submitted an application to the City requesting trail improvements. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommended this project for construction as part of the Neighborhood Pathways program. Thurston County, who owns this portion of the Chehalis-Western Trail, supports this project as well.
City staff are working on the project design, which is nearly complete. Acquisition of the easement allows access across this portion of Ensign Road, which is private, to the Chehalis-Western Trail.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
This is an important connection to Providence St. Peter's Hospital, nearby high-density housing, senior housing, and a lar...
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