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Council funds six Neighborhood Safety projects, approves expanded budget to cover rising costs
Summary
The council approved the 2025 Neighborhood Safety Program recommended projects and directed staff to pursue additional funding to cover cost increases; the council approved Option 2 to fund six projects at an increased program total after neighborhood panels and staff scoring.
The City Council approved the Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) 2025 recommended project list and directed staff to proceed with funding the six projects prioritized by neighborhood panels, agreeing to increase the program allocation to cover estimated higher costs.
What council decided After staff briefings and neighborhood panels, the council voted to proceed with “Option 2,” which funds all six recommended projects at a projected total of approximately $411,500 and directs staff to identify additional funding to cover the amount above the program’s base budget. The motion passed 6–0.
What the NSP will fund The six projects selected by neighborhood and technical panels include a mix of pedestrian improvements, pathway surfacing and traffic‑calming measures. Highlights described by staff included: - Norkirk / Peter Kirk Elementary crossing improvements: staff noted this project scored highly and asked council to support full funding despite higher cost estimates; staff said the project can be scoped to smaller phases but the neighborhood prioritized completing the pedestrian visibility and crossing safety work; - Moss Bay: upgrade a ramp and bike access to the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) at Ninth Street; - Central Houghton: signage and speed‑limit reminders along a CKC segment near Terrace Park to remind bicyclists to slow down; and - Other lower‑cost, high‑community‑benefit projects in Rose Hill and Juanita.
Why staff sought additional funds Staff said the NSP base budget has been $350,000 per year and that construction cost escalation has pushed the six projects above that allocation. The council approved increasing the NSP allocation for 2025 and directed staff to identify funding sources and to pursue efficient project scopes and contingencies to keep construction on schedule. Staff also noted that several NSP projects from earlier cycles are moving through design or into construction this year.
Council comments Council members praised staff for the NSP process and noted that sidewalk gaps and other needs in neighborhoods without active associations (such as Totem Lake) should be considered for future program changes. Several council members supported reviewing the NSP budget level for future cycles to respond to rising construction costs.
