Category: General

Some of you asked at the picnic about these two projects, so we checked with city staff and got updates:

1. Central Street calming – four speed bumps will be installed on Central between 8th & 11th. This project is currently out for bid. The city anticipates that the work will be done in September.
2. Lions Park shelter – the Parks Department is still planning to demolish most of the old shelter and build a new shelter in a spot close to the old one, along with some other site improvements. They will be leaving the restroom in place with a new roof. They’ve had some delays on other projects, but hope to complete the project this year.

Thanks to the members who asked and to the city staff who shared the information.

We get periodic updates by email about things going on with the city. Here’s a few recent items:

• Roadway striping August 6 & 7, August 13 & 14. Streets to get new paint include Boulevard, State, and Fourth, as well as the downtown core. Read more about striping and a complete list of locations.
• Storm drain grate thefts. Over the last three weeks, approximately 20 storm drain grates and manhole covers have been stolen from city streets. (More information.) Remember that any official work on city streets and sidewalks is done by city crews in marked vehicles.
• Notice of public hearing. City council will hold a public hearing during its regular meeting on August 15 to receive comments on amendments to the zoning code related to permanent homeless encampments in industrial zoning districts. Read the full notice (PDF).

Traffic Circles and Chicanes need volunteers!
We’ve contacted the city to ask for a planting guide, and if you’re interested in helping with maintenance, contact the ENA or Lee Keech. If you are already taking care of a neighborhood traffic calming site, please let us know.

Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 7:52 AM
Subject: Maintenance of the traffic circle at Sawyer St and 9th Ave

Thank you for contacting The City of Olympia Public Works and please feel free to contact me with any further questions you may have regarding this issue.
Sincerely
Lee

Lee Keech, lk****@***********wa.us
Transportation Engineering Designer
Olympia Public Works Department

This email is in response to your email […] requesting the city to maintain the vegetation in the traffic circle located at the intersection of Sawyer Street and 9th Avenue. When these devices were installed an agreement was made with the neighborhood association that maintenance of the vegetation for these devices would be the responsibility of the neighborhood association and/or the adjacent property owners. Because of the current budget constraints and cut backs the city does not have the funding needed to maintain the landscaped devises within the various neighborhoods. If the vegetation cannot be maintained by the neighborhood association and/or the adjacent property owners the city may remove all vegetation and replace them with some form of hardscape which could mean filling the area with concrete or gravel eliminating all vegetation within the traffic circle.