Yakima City Council on June 3 approved a resolution to support a Yakima County grant and loan application to install a mid‑block pedestrian crossing on West Mead Avenue serving GS Long Company.

Assistant City Manager Gary Blue explained the proposal and said the crossing would serve employees and materials moving between GS Long North and GS Long South. He described it as a mid‑block crossing designed wide enough to accommodate forklifts and include signal control. "So they have employees who cross back and forth. They have products that cross back and forth. They have forklifts that cross back and forth. So to help them in growth and expansion, we're requesting to submit an application to do a mid block crossing," he said.

Blue told council the application would seek $300,000; the grant package would include a grant portion, a local match and a loan portion. GS Long has agreed to pick up the loan and local match portion so the city would not incur direct capital cost. Council discussion clarified the crossing will include signalized stop control and flashing lights to slow traffic; final design details will be developed with project engineers if the award is received.

Council voted to adopt the resolution supporting the application; the recorded vote was 7–0.

Why it matters: the crossing is intended to improve worker safety and operations at a local employer with an active campus on both sides of Mead Avenue. If awarded, the project will include signalization and a widened crossing to allow forklifts and pedestrian traffic to cross safely.

Next steps: the city will support the county application and, if the award is successful, work with GS Long, county and design staff to finalize plans and installations.