University Place outlines $40M-plus capital program; roundabout still needs $300,000

Jack Hecklin, University Place public works director, told the City Council on May 19 that the city will manage 16 active construction projects in 2025 and another 11 projects in design, funded primarily with federal and state grants and smaller local contributions.

"Overall, in '25, we will be working on 16 active construction projects. And in addition, we have 11 projects that will be under designer planning stages in 2025," Hecklin said, adding that the current program includes "a little over $500,000 of Pierce County money, over $6,000,000 from the state, and over $26,000,000 from the federal government," and that the city portion is roughly 20 percent.

The update front‑loaded projects closest to completion. Hecklin said 67 Phase 2 is about 90 percent finished, with energizing of new power cabinets expected in late July or early August so street lights and irrigation can be powered. He described 30 Fifth Phase 2 as about half done with anticipated completion around September and said work on a nearby sewer segment at 60 Seventh was expected to be wrapped up by June.

Hecklin reviewed school‑area safety work in the Safe Routes to School package, which includes brighter LED street lighting, upgraded ADA ramps, a new raised crosswalk near the junior high, and pedestrian‑activated flashing beacons. He also said the inclusive playground project is in its final phases, with paving of the back parking lot and delivery of an ADA family restroom scheduled for October and full completion expected by November.

He identified several other items citywide: a mid‑June start for the 30 Sixth/Grandview roundabout (timed to avoid the heaviest school travel impacts), roughly 11 miles of chip seal work planned for August, storm pond rehabilitation (including the West Hampton pond), paved trailhead parking at Chambers Canyon Trail to triple available spaces, and continued design work on Fortieth Street sidewalks and other 2026–2028 construction projects.

Council members pressed on funding, timelines and coordination with utilities. Council member Fleming asked whether the city is taking steps to reduce future pavement cuts by utilities. Hecklin said the city has "reimplementing a quarterly meeting with utilities" and that Tacoma Public Utilities has invested roughly $500,000 to coordinate replacements alongside city projects to avoid later cuts.

Council member Worthington asked about funding for the Chambers Creek roundabout. Hecklin said the city still needs about $300,000 to fully fund construction and that Pierce County's expected contribution remains largely the dedication of right‑of‑way. He said the city must still acquire a parcel from a funeral home; no right‑of‑way is required from the cemetery. "We do still have, and it'll depend a little bit on what we have coming in and development activity, but that project is on our traffic impact fee project list," Hecklin told council members.

Council members also asked about Day Island sewer work and whether sewer or pump‑station upgrades could help leverage support for a bridge replacement; Hecklin said the city has referenced Day Island infrastructure needs in funding justifications but noted the island's relatively good condition can make it harder to qualify for certain funding programs.

No council action or formal vote was taken on the CIP update. Hecklin's presentation was delivered as an informational study session and will inform forthcoming design, construction scheduling and budget carryforward items that the council considered later in the meeting.

Ending: Council members praised the volume of work and the city's grant success while flagging follow‑up needs: finalize a funding plan for the Chambers Creek roundabout, continue coordination with utilities to minimize future pavement cuts, and schedule community outreach for projects that will affect neighborhoods and schools.