Redmond public‑works update: ADA fixes, trail connections and a stalled Evans Creek relocation drive CIP questions

Redmond public‑works leaders briefed council on first‑quarter capital investment program activity on April 22 and highlighted completed work, near‑term construction, and one major regional permitting bottleneck threatening a key restoration project.

Public Works Director Aaron Burt and his team said 36 active projects are underway in Q1, with two of 18 targeted completions already finished: an Avondale erosion repair in the 10,000 block and EV‑charging installations. Staff presented program‑by‑program status across facilities, parks, traffic operations, transportation planning and utilities, and highlighted several scheduled milestones for the next quarter.

Why it matters: the CIP update shows routine capital maintenance and improvements (ADA compliance work, paving, trail completions and water infrastructure) while flagging a high‑priority environmental and flood‑control project that may be delayed by interagency permitting problems; those delays could increase costs and force tradeoffs across the capital program.

Key program updates - Facilities/ADA program: Steve Gibbs, capital program manager, said a multi‑year ADA program will bundle high‑priority public‑facing fixes (City Hall, Public Safety Building, Fire Station 11, parking garage and RCCMV) and is funded roughly at $300,000 per year to deliver design and phased construction. - Parks: crews will replace field turf at Grama Long and Hartman parks this summer; bids opened this week for the Reservoir Park sports court replacement. - Trails and regional connections: the Eastside/ Eastrail connection with Sound Transit and King County is virtually ready as light‑rail opens; Redmond Central Connector Phase 3 paving had final paving completed and the contractor expects to install light poles in mid‑June and open the trail in July if schedules hold. - Traffic/paving: the Westlake–Sammamish paving is a federal‑aid project subject to WSDOT paving windows; crews will perform some night work and extensive public outreach to mitigate noise and access impacts. - Utilities: the Reservoir Park water tank project is advertised and being coordinated with the sports‑court replacement; targeted telemetry and EV equipment projects are concluding.

Evans Creek relocation: permitting deadlock and risk Public‑works leaders singled out the Evans Creek relocation and restoration project as the CIP item with the greatest near‑term risk. The project team has obtained almost all required property rights but faces a permitting impasse involving King County review and FEMA flood‑study acceptance. Aaron Burt described a circular delay: FEMA will not finalize the CLOMR (conditional letter of map revision) until King County provides a concurrence letter; King County staff have told the city they will not sign off until FEMA approves the CLOMR. Burt said this impasse has forced staff to re‑examine whether to advertise this year, because missing the construction window will push costs upward and could increase project cost by a minimum of 5% (approximately $1 million), which would require additional council budget requests and tradeoffs with other capital work.

Burt said the city is continuing to press King County and FEMA for movement and is analyzing a “drop‑dead date” for advertising the project this season so staff and council can make a go/no‑go funding decision quickly.

Procurement and upcoming decisions Burt reported that the MOC progressive design‑build Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is out and closes May 8; staff expect to shortlist three teams and later return to council with a design‑build award. Several projects have bids opening or construction expected in the coming weeks; staff committed to more frequent outreach to impacted neighborhoods and coordination with partner agencies on scheduling.

Council questions and next steps Council members pressed staff on the Evans Creek permitting stalemate and whether county reluctance reflects policy differences or process issues. Burt and his team said the county’s regulatory review and land‑resources routing slowed earlier progress and that some county divisions asked for extensive additional agreements or indemnities; city staff and the mayor said they are contacting county and state officials to help move the permitting conversation.

On the Westlake paving, staff emphasized WSDOT paving‑window restrictions and promised expanded mailers and neighborhood outreach for the planned night work. On ADA and other portfolios, council members asked for status rollups on compliance scope and timelines and asked staff to update how many backlog items remain and how resources might be reallocated to address high‑priority facility fixes.

No council votes were taken at the study session. Staff said they will continue to advance consultant procurement, advertise projects as appropriate, pursue the Evans Creek permitting path, and return to council with further budget and scheduling decisions as the county and FEMA reviews progress.