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Council hears timeline and risks for First and San Helens intersection closure; June 30 set as worst‑case completion
Summary
City staff said the intersection closure is the last major phase of a multi‑year downtown project and set a June 30 worst‑case completion date; councilors pressed about parking impacts and unplanned contractor costs.
City public works staff told councilors the planned closure of the First and San Helens intersection is the largest remaining work item in the multi‑year downtown project and said June 30 is the project’s worst‑case completion date.
Staff said after the intersection phase is finished the project will primarily enter punch‑list and final paving work. “Once we get through this intersection, pretty much the rest of the project is going to be a button‑up phase,” a staff presenter said, noting weather and coordination among utilities remain risks to the timeline.
Councilors pressed staff on two recurring public concerns: contractor vehicles occupying public parking near downtown businesses, and the practical effect of phased closures on events. Staff said public works is not the city’s parking enforcement authority but that the city’s construction superintendent works with contractors to move vehicles when complaints arrive. “When we hear about a complaint about parking, we immediately usually address those directly with the contractor,” staff said, adding the contractor has numerous subcontractors who sometimes park in public stalls.
Staff acknowledged one recent unanticipated expense and told council that a contract amendment being discussed reflected that curveball; the presentation described a roughly $60,000 unplanned cost tied to an unexpected condition encountered near the work area. The city did not award that amendment during the work session; staff said the memorandum explaining the extra cost would be circulated to councilors.
Councilors also discussed event planning: Treadway, the group organizing “13 Nights,” has been coordinating band schedules and backups and the city said it may need temporary stages if park amenities aren’t finished in time for summer events. Staff said June 30 is the fiscal‑year deadline the city used to allow contingencies, and added they are aiming to finish earlier if possible.
No formal vote was held; councilors asked staff to continue outreach to affected businesses and to coordinate with event organizers if the schedule threatens planned festivals.
