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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09City of Port Townsend City Update Mayor Catharine Robinson City Manager David Timmons (360) 379-5047 (email: citycouncil@ci.port-townsend.wa.us) www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us September 2005 National Landmark Historic District Transportation and Streetscape Enhancement Project—by Dave Peterson, City Engineer The Port Townsend Transportation and Streetscape En- hancement Project is a multi-phased project to address the transportation impacts associated with the success of the revitalization of Port Townsend’s National Landmark Historic District. The needed improvements include replacing aged and unsafe sidewalk; providing full ADA accessibility; con- structing an inviting streetscape to encourage walking and biking; encouraging visitors to leave their cars at the Park and Ride; providing improved on-street parking facilities; enhancing ferry connections; and promoting higher ridership on Jefferson Transit. In the last two years the City has invested over $600,000 in Phase I improvements to address traffic, infrastructure and pedestrian safety concerns. This past year the City con- structed multi-modal trail and sidewalk improvements to connect the Park and Ride to the Historic District. New curbs, gutters, sidewalks, accessible ramps and on-street parking have been added to four blocks of core area of the downtown to improve on-street parking and pedestrian access. The City recently completed a Parking Plan that identifies a long-term strategy to manage the increased traffic and pedestrian activity in the downtown. Phase II of the Enhancement Project is centered in the Civic District of the Historic District and encompasses a variety of public properties. If successfully funded, Phase II improve- ments will provide transportation and streetscape connections to supplement the $20 million being invested in building public improvements in the civic core. The requested funds would connect Wa- ter Street with the Northwest Maritime Center’s new facility to draw visitors to this end of town. The improvements would also improve the Madison Street corridor connecting City Dock with Memorial Stadium while improving access around historic City Hall. Port Townsend’s City Hall is the oldest continually operating city council cham- bers in Washington State and is home to the Jefferson County Historical Society. The improvements would also provide improved event and pedestrian areas in front of Memorial Stadium and connect recreational elements and the new skateboard park to the Civic District. These im- provements would improve access to the public facilities, foster private investment, and promote additional revitaliza- tion efforts in the eastern portion - the neglected end – of the Historic District. When implemented in the future, Phase III of the enhance- ment project will extend the improvements to other areas of the National Historic District and will further develop and promote transportation alternatives. The improvements will provide better connections to the state ferry system and adjacent neighborhoods and will implement the recommen- dations of the City’s parking management plan. These improvements are a key priority of the City’s eco- nomic development and tourism strategy and are intended to further strengthen Port Townsend’s international reputa- tion as Washington’s Victorian Seaport. Implementation of the Enhancement Project in its entirety will address growth- related impacts by providing improved facilities for all forms of travel— pedestrian, bicycle, transit, walk-on and car ferry service, as well as handling the increased impacts from vehicular traffic. This comprehensive approach to transpor- tation and streetscape will assure the continued health, safety and vitality of Port Townsend’s National Landmark Historic District. Upper Sims Way Improvement Project Enhancing the commercial corridor of Upper Sims Way has been a priority of the City Council for several years. In 2004, water line improve- ments were installed that significantly increased the fire flow to serve this area. Currently, preliminary plans are being prepared for transportation improvements for Sims Way between Howard and McPherson Streets. A design char- rette held in early May helped to identify the issues and concerns of the various stakeholders. Improvements in this corridor could include extending the center turn lane through McPherson, median islands, extending the bike lane, sidewalks, crossings, and intersection controls. The City is currently working with its transportation consultant, W&H Pacific, evaluating the tradeoffs between a traffic signal versus a roundabout for the intersection at Howard Street. Eventually, Howard Street will be extended from Sims Way to connect to Discovery Road. While some grant money has been received through the Jefferson County Community Investment Fund and some developer contributions are obligated, full funding is yet not in place for the project. The City is pursuing other grant and funding sources. Some of the project may be funded by a local improvement district. By completing a preliminary design for the corridor, however, any improvements that are funded and installed will be consistent with the overall corridor plan. The next step in the process will be a public meeting to review the preliminary design options. 2005 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTER GRANT The Port Townsend Fire Department has received a grant of $202,622 from the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the US Department of Homeland Security. The Port Townsend Fire Department, as part of East Jefferson Fire Rescue, will act as Host Agency to acquire a fully equipped Regional Rescue Re- sponse Trailer, and to provide mandated training to properly use the rescue equipment. The purpose of this grant is to assure that the first responders can establish access and extricate individuals who become victims in motor vehicle collisions, construction collapse or have been over- come by toxic gases in confined spaces. Chief Michael Mingee stated that he is concerned about the growing number of marine industries in the region that routinely have workers performing tasks in areas defined by OSHA as “Confined Spaces.” Labor and Industry standards do not allow rescue workers to enter these confined spaces without certain levels of training and certain equipment. For more information please visit the program website at www.firegrantsupport.com. 2006 CITY BUDGET Preparation of the 2006 City budget is under- way. ♦The City Manager’s Preliminary Budget is scheduled to be ready for public review on October 19. ♦A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held October 24, at 6:30 pm in the Cedar Room of the Waterman & Katz Building. ♦Final action by the Council is scheduled for November 14. Please check the meetings update section of the city website www.ci.port-townsend.wa.us for the most current information on times and slated agenda items for committee and council meetings. SIZZLING SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE! Downtown and Uptown Saturday and Sunday September 3 & 4 It’s the BIGGEST sale of the year! SHOP LOCALLY HAVE FUN! WALK ACROSS WASHINGTON An exciting state-wide walking event is coming to Port Townsend on October 15. The Walk Across Washington, sponsored by the Association of Washington Cities, is a walk involving thousands of walkers through more than 85 cities and towns. The walk is a celebration of healthy lifestyles, drawing attention to the importance of regular physical activity for people of all ages. Sign-up now, to walk a two, three or six mile segment in Port Townsend on October 15. Registration is free and all walkers will receive a follow up walking program with a pedometer (as supplies last) as well as a chance to win prizes, including a treadmill from Vision Fitness. The kick off is at 9:45 AM, with the walk following at 10:00 AM. The Walk Across Port Townsend starts at the Park and Ride at 10:00 AM on October 15. For more information or to register on-line, go to www.walkwashington.org. Register early to receive your Training Tips. WATER CONSERVATION This is just a reminder to use water wisely. The City has begun to draw down Lords Lake reservoir in order to maintain minimum stream flows in the Big and Little Quilcene Rivers for returning salmon. Our peak water usage coincides with the period of lowest river levels in western Washington and overlaps the return of summer chum salmon, a listed threatened species. Voluntary conservation by our customers and the Port Townsend Paper Company helps to preserve the fisheries and extends our limited water resources until the wet fall weather replenishes the streams. CITY BUSINESS OWNERS! Keep your City Business License current! Don’t forget to apply for or renew your annual City Business License. Contact City Finance 379-4409 for information.