Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Astoria completes Riverwalk lighting projects; public works finishes FEMA-funded landslide drainage work under budget
Summary
City staff reported completion of multiple Riverwalk lighting projects funded by state grants and urban renewal, and a FEMA-funded landslide/storm drainage reconstruction that came in under budget and with outside match funding.
Astoria staff on May 5 reported completion of a multi‑year Riverwalk lighting program funded primarily by state grants and local matching funds, and they closed out a FEMA-backed pre-disaster landslide/storm drainage reconstruction that finished under budget.
Parks and Recreation Director Jonah D. McClain said the city secured three grant awards that together totaled about $1.7 million: a $428,000 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department large local government grant (February 2021), an $844,000 ODOT Oregon Community Paths and Streets (PAS) grant, and a $433,000 ODOT PAS grant in October 2023. McClain said the city contributed roughly $600,000 in matching funds from parks operations and the east/west urban renewal districts. Photos shown to council depicted new bollard and bulkhead lighting installed along multiple Riverwalk segments between the Trolley Barn/Hamburg Avenue and the Maritime Memorial.
McClain also said the parks and recreation division increased out-of-school program enrollment by about 150% — from roughly 20 students in 2022 to about 50 now — and that the department will start an 11-week full-day summer care program after school is out.
Public Works Director Jeff Harrington described a roughly $1 million pre-disaster landslide/storm drainage project, funded through FEMA with the Infrastructure Finance Authority (Business Oregon) paying the typical 25% match. Harrington said the project addressed aging hillside drainage lines in two areas (near 20th/Irving and near First/Commercial) to reduce landslide likelihood, involved in-house design to save funds, and included pavement work and reconstruction at Duane Street. He reported the project came in under budget by about $75,000, allowing reimbursement for staff time and additional work. Harrington said the redesigned system captures more hillside groundwater that previously infiltrated slopes, which reduces but does not eliminate landslide risk.
Councilors and the public thanked staff for the work. No formal council action was required; the presentation was informational and staff noted upcoming follow-up items such as publishing project closeout documents and invites to a June 13 after-school celebration.
