[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6159617,"mediaKeyId","5453334-423a865f04ac8df84a4842cba9b5c04e","parentId",5453334,"title","City to install asphalt-art scramble at Gilman Boulevard to improve trail crossings","audioSeconds",921,"startMs",3762000,"endMs",4683000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5453334-423a865f04ac8df84a4842cba9b5c04e&start=3762&end=4683","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5453334-423a865f04ac8df84a4842cba9b5c04e/thumbnail_3762000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159617/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/City-to-install-asphalt-art-scramble-at-Gilman-Boulevard-to-improve-trail-crossings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159617-ce92a5730f981e85178a2ac4b926c1b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178089&Signature=HvyC3OtoL4QFma4QGDA4IjvYYvXmGqtHDif7cXvYR4RcI8NwWY~JiwTsYzYCy0HAiPIdEGMehxT-YP412H47h0FxFwpE6DCpwwuQKchxyk2nS9ApfRA99m~fCmSSDdHILyrhbua5qEnqnPdM97re4Oe9mpsyH32zWqASkiCTl83O8Fh6N85fV7AGTgjpvdIchUeQ4LyF-NCq3vMn8R92Zaozmc204GUrXKGELbcVMCZ6Jt6BVgLr8hSDQK1-VXxJrOTGgzHqbHEyZR5lc7OTaI8bmrUVLepxZB0SHFA9qTYPUkG4FIwk6j1Et86vOwQNYW0825Q-m9D7YYYlEb9TTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Issaquah City, WA","date","2025-07-23T02:55:20Z","article","Issaquah city staff on July 22 described plans to install a pedestrian scramble with high-contrast asphalt art at the Gilman Boulevard intersection where the East Lake Sammamish, Rainier and Juniper trails converge. Parks staff said the project pairs a diagonal-crossing signal pattern with artwork to increase visibility for pedestrians and cyclists, slow vehicle speeds, and strengthen the city’s Creative District placemaking.

Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Watling introduced the briefing and turned the presentation to Robin Spear, the city’s park planning and development manager, and Amy Dukes, cultural arts manager. Spear described the scramble: “Vehicle and pedestrian conflicts are eliminated since all the vehicles are stopped while the pedestrians are crossing.” She said the scramble gives pedestrians shorter, more direct routes and prioritizes pedestrian movement. Spear also cited published safety findings offered during the briefing that asphalt art at treated intersections reduced crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists by 50% and reduced overall crashes at treated intersections by 17%.

The selected design by artist Jake Wagner uses high-contrast colors and literal landscape motifs to mark each trail: Lake Sammamish imagery for the East Lake Sammamish Trail, a Mount Rainier motif for the Rainier Trail, and juniper berries to represent the Juniper Trail. Amy Dukes said the artist “did the, creative district logo and branding and did the, utility box wraps,” which staff said helps visually link the installation with other Creative District work.

Staff reported the installation plan calls for the artist to complete the artwork in August 2025. Public Works is coordinating thermoplastic high-visibility crosswalks on the unpainted legs and the scramble signal timing. Staff characterized the asphalt art as the project’s first phase; additional trail signage funded through the same legislative grant is anticipated for 2026.

The Park Board and the Arts Commission reviewed multiple concepts in April and selected the current, more literal design. Staff said the design was chosen for its legibility and connection to local landscape features. Public Works and the city’s risk pool (WCIA) reviewed the options; staff reported WCIA advised staying with standard crosswalk striping plus color treatment in the scramble area rather than nonstandard devices in the right-of-way.

Council members responded positively. Council Member Ray said he liked the city’s existing utility-box art and looked forward to the scramble. Council Member Martz and others encouraged more such visual placemaking projects around Gilman and elsewhere in the Creative District. Watling noted the project is funded through the council-adopted legislative agenda and is an early phase in a broader program of trail wayfinding and signage.

No vote was required. Staff will proceed with final installation scheduling with the artist and Public Works and will return to the committee as needed with operational or striping details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Issaquah City Council Services, Safety & Parks Committee Meeting - July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Issaquah plans to install a high-contrast asphalt-art pedestrian scramble at the Gilman Boulevard trail intersection to improve visibility and safety for people walking and biking, with artist installation scheduled for August 2025.","taxTitle","Issaquah, King County, Washington","taxId",53186,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159622,"Issaquah committee weighs future of TOD Opportunity Center after service providers withdraw",3199,126000,3325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5453334-423a865f04ac8df84a4842cba9b5c04e&start=126&end=3325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5453334-423a865f04ac8df84a4842cba9b5c04e/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6159622/Issaquah/King-County/Washington/Issaquah-committee-weighs-future-of-TOD-Opportunity-Center-after-service-providers-withdraw","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159622-732c82650549c8c766d414a7bba57685/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178089&Signature=E7Ya1x5VzE~qo-wyqsg5Il6f9j1DgtsfbItaruBupAt8Z691a7xdNmsH07PEle7dohIzw~Ckd3cl5YR46HrVLHDaNQZXgcaq3IP0sE9e9ZvNQb5FpRn-CuqdNF-gLI0YAyVuKICpIeRwP6LjRgZseNmJvdlBXy75zouvsKR58pfxuwJH6Zmx7bTNubn9dGv4YqMYoTCIh5U2phn9Jeqrz8RCGAmzhC51uM1-YVt2FnljhZbt-1QbWOocpyniJO-COiuy3bDTcoTnQA8Wq~saerrSHRSJaFaMg5DDPZJjytjefsPUrmbKw6CGuhArvkc2-G0FYy7q7g3vQKOulCHHVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Issaquah Deputy Council President De Michel and the Services, Safety and Parks Committee on July 22 heard options for the Transit Oriented Development Opportunity Center (TODOC) after the two planned tenants, Valley Cities and HealthPoint, withdrew their participation. City staff asked the committee whether it wants the administration to continue pursuing a single service provider similar to the original plan or instead develop a plan B to share the space among smaller providers and city human services staff.

The decision matters because roughly $9 million the city has set aside for acquisition and tenant improvements is tied to specific uses and deadlines, and the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) — which owns the parcel and is moving toward building permits this summer — needs timely direction to finalize building plans. City staff told the committee that the state reappropriation of $3 million for the Opportunity Center expires June 30, 2027, and that the city is working toward a May 2028 opening if the project remains aligned with the residential TOD schedule.

City staff presented the history and the constrained timeline. Andrea Snyder, deputy city administrator, said, “the purpose of our meeting is to talk about what, what, is the future for the opportunity center.” The city issued the original request for proposals in 2016 and later negotiated an MOU with Valley Cities and HealthPoint for the 10,000-square-foot commercial condominium within the TOD. KCHA retains ownership of the land. Snyder told the committee that Valley Cities and HealthPoint “pulled out of this partnership with us” citing timing and uncertainty in Medicaid and federal grant funding.

Management analyst Jillian Straub laid out the funding landscape and options. Straub said, “the city has called has set aside, a little bit over $9,000,000 in existing funds to support the, construction acquisition and tenant improvements and some portion of the tenant improvements for the TODOC.” She described four funding buckets the city plans to use, including affordable housing sales tax revenue (subject to state law limits on capital vs. operating splits), funds from a development agreement (referred to in the packet as TELUS/TALES development agreement), prior human services campus funds, and the $3 million state reappropriation that is the most restricted. Straub warned the committee that the $3 million must be spent and submitted for reimbursement to the state Department of Commerce by June 30, 2027, or it will lapse.

City staff summarized the options and trade-offs:
- Preferred path (Option 1): Pursue another single, larger service provider (similar to Valley Cities/HealthPoint). Staff said this best matches how current funds were requested and would likely allow use of the full funding package. The city’s level of control would be low (decisions depend on providers and federal funding conditions), but staff estimated the center could directly serve more than 5,000 residents, based on prior estimates. Straub noted an estimated core-and-shell cost of about $6,000,000 and that tenant improvements could push total costs closer to the $9,000,000 already set aside.
- Shared-provider model / city-hosted rotating services (Plan B): Move the human services division into the space and host smaller rotating providers who lease portions of the center for limited days. Staff said this could allow use of most funding but would increase ongoing city subsidy and operational commitment (they estimated an additional roughly 1.0 full-time equivalent to manage the center). Staff said smaller providers might need subsidized rent and that the city would bear more property-management responsibilities.
- Transitional housing: Using the space as transitional housing would likely forfeit the $3 million state appropriation because that funding was requested specifically for behavioral, dental and medical services close to transit. Some other funds could be used, but staff said the project would lose most existing dedicated funds.
- Pull out: The city could inform KCHA it will not acquire the commercial condominium; KCHA could then redesign the space for housing or other uses. Staff said this would free funds for other uses but also relinquish control of that space in the TOD.

Committee members questioned feasibility and timelines. Council Member Martz sought confirmation that the intent had been to open the Opportunity Center coterminous with the housing in May 2028; Snyder confirmed that is the target but acknowledged the center could open later if construction timing changed. Council Member Ray said he was \"dubious\" a suitable provider could be secured within the available timeline and warned that building the center without an identified provider (the panel’s described Option 4) would be the worst outcome. Council Member Martz and others asked staff to examine operating models used by the Together Center and similar facilities to test the shared-provider approach. Parks Director Jeff Watling noted the Together Center and other regional models exist but said detailed operational due diligence is needed.

On costs and funding constraints, Straub and Snyder reiterated that the estimated core-and-shell acquisition/construction cost was about $6,000,000 and that tenant improvements, mechanical systems and interior build-out could push the total nearer the $9,000,000 set aside. Straub emphasized the most restrictive bucket — the state reappropriation — requires that work be under contract with Commerce and reimbursement submitted by June 30, 2027.

Next steps and committee direction: Administration requested that the committee allow staff to continue pursuing talks with a prospective single provider and, in parallel, investigate the feasibility of a shared/provider model including identifying potential operators to manage the center. The committee agreed to a special meeting in August (staff to confirm date) to review findings and to prepare a recommendation for full council action in September. During the meeting, staff asked the committee to provide feedback quickly because KCHA plans to apply for building permits in August and will need notice if the city intends to decline acquiring the commercial condominium so KCHA can redesign the space.

The committee did not take a formal roll-call vote on a single option at the July 22 meeting. The explicit next action recorded was agreement to schedule a special committee meeting in August for additional due diligence and to bring recommendations back to the full council in September. Staff also said they would continue conversations with at least one promising potential provider in the near term and would further vet rotating-provider models used in the region.

The administration’s presentation, the committee discussion, and staff’s stated timeline leave the city facing a constrained, two-year reimbursement window for the state funds and a narrow scheduling window to inform KCHA of whether the city intends to proceed with acquiring the commercial condo. The committee requested additional outreach to human services providers and rapid follow-up from staff; the committee will reconvene in a special meeting in August to consider a more developed recommendation.","Issaquah Deputy Council President De Michel and the Services, Safety and Parks Committee on July 22 heard options for the Transit Oriented Development Opportunity Center after two planned tenants withdrew, and city staff asked whether to pursue a new single provider or instead prepare a shared-tenant backup to meet funding and timeline constraints.","actionData","errors"]

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City to install asphalt-art scramble at Gilman Boulevard to improve trail crossings

Issaquah committee weighs future of TOD Opportunity Center after service providers withdraw