Resolution_PFacilitiesAgmt2022_City of Cle Elum

Home Browse Search

The wide sidewalks allow for amenities such as seating, shade, bicycle racks, planter boxes, public art, and trash receptacles without impacting pedestrian mobility. The bulbouts are specifically designed to shorten pedestrian crossings at each intersection of the corridor, while heightening driver awareness at the western end of Cie Elum's pedestrian -interactive downtown setting. Street The now auto -centric thoroughfare of First Street will be placed on a road diet. Driving lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet to promote speed calming through the corridor. Two driveway entrances between Billings Avenue and Oakes Avenue and two between Oakes Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue will be removed and allow for more diagonal parking at 30 -degree desirable angles without adding more impervious surfacing. Street lighting will be a blend of pedestrian -level and street lighting. Electrical GFCI receptacles, incorporated into the light poles, will increase access to City planned downtown events such as holiday lighting. Designing and constructing the street for a right -sized downtown feel and dimension allows the City to better maintain the roadway and integrated infrastructure systems. 2. Explain how the infrastructure project will help meet the economic development goals of your community and/or region. If this project is not done, will the anticipated private development still take place? Although Phase 3 requires further project size dividing to match funding opportunities, construction of an expanded Phase 3A completes both sides of First Street between Billings and Oakes, as well as the north side of First Street between Oakes and Pennsylvania, completing approximately 25% of all improvements as planned for in the Downtown Revitalization Plan. With completion of streetscape improvements, the City's residents and businesses will witness implementation of the expressed downtown vision of stakeholders on one -and -a -half blocks prepared for immediate economic development opportunities. By planning the proposed streetscape improvements in the subphase manner, necessary interruptions to local transportation, commerce, and day-to-day operations on each block of First Street will be limited to one occasion, placing Cie Elum in a positive light with existing and prospective businesses not only on that block, but throughout the corridor. Separately, project elements in Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 addressed infrastructure issues that are linked to economic development. When considered together, the Phase 3A streetscape improvements project is undeniably well aligned with the purpose of the Distressed County Sales and Use Tax Infrastructure Improvement Program. Though all Phase 3 streetscape improvements have been completed at the easternmost and westernmost intersections and along a single block only, the City is already experiencing redevelopment and reinvestment along First Street. In 2019 and 2020, the City saw seventeen new businesses, seventeen building sales, one infill project, one redevelopment, and four aesthetic improvement projects for local businesses. Several businesses have experienced record sales each month since the start of the pandemic, but even prior to COVID-19, the entire Upper Kittitas County was experiencing record tourism Thursdays through Mondays, primarily from the Seattle metropolitan area. As a result of the tourist -generated transportation gridlock, the County has initiated a coalition to work with WSDOT and other stakeholders to accelerate the 6-laning of 1-90 from Snoqualmie Pass all the way to Cie Elum. This Downtown Revitalization, with an emphasis on a safe and walkable streetscape will bolster Cie Elum's already thriving tourist economy, enticing many of the 30,000 vehicles that pass Cie Elum every day to stop and spend money at local businesses. However, it is not just tourists or Cle Elum's population of 2,000 that will benefit. A flourishing downtown will also positively reach all of Upper Kittitas County's 5,000 residents as Cie Elum's "downtown" is considered the Upper Kittitas County downtown. With very limited commerce opportunities in the neighboring communities of South Cie Elum, Roslyn, Ronald, and Suncadia, Cie Elum's regionally