Public Works presents major 2025 paving, EV charging, tree and park projects including Douglas splash pad
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Summary
Public Works outlined three major paving projects (totaling multi‑millions with grant matches), an OKI‑funded EV charging plan across four city lots, a USDA urban forestry grant to inventory and manage street trees, and park projects including a new Douglas Park splash pad slated for summer completion.
Lede: Public Works described a multi‑million dollar paving program for 2025, a four‑site EV charging installation funded through regional carbon reduction money, a tree‑inventory and risk assessment supported by a USDA urban forestry grant, and park improvements that include a rebuilt Douglas Park splash pad.
Nut graf: The department asked council to note schedules, grant matches and construction timing: two major mill‑and‑fill paving packages are planned this year (some work will extend into 2026 because of grant rules), EV chargers require design and federal reviews and the Douglas Park splash pad was designed for a summer 2025 substantial completion.
Body: Public Works outlined three paving projects: (1) a $4 million program on selected arterial segments that will include 3‑inch milling, spot base repairs and repaving plus curbs and ADA ramp upgrades; (2) an ODOT urban paving project for State Route 122 with an estimated $2.8 million budget and roughly half the cost borne by ODOT; and (3) a $3.5 million package of residential and collector streets that includes a $1 million OPWC grant match and may extend into 2026 due to the grant schedule.
On EV charging, Scott Tadish said the city won an OKI Carbon Reduction award and will install Level‑2 and DC fast charging across four city locations: multiple Level‑2 units at Smith Park, two DC fast chargers behind Triple Moon Coffee, Level‑2 stations at Jayco Park and additional Level‑2 chargers in the city‑building lot. He cautioned that federal review and design will likely push most installations into 2026 for the larger systems.
Forestry and streetscape work will be funded in part by a USDA urban forestry grant: a city‑wide GPS inventory and tree risk assessment will be prepared (budgeted about $150,000), with removals and pruning using grant funds focused on census tracts that meet disadvantaged criteria. Staff said the inventory will inform a planting program of roughly 125 trees and prioritized maintenance.
Parks updates noted roofing and field leveling work at Gollman Park (to support mid‑season ball play), a potential reacquisition of a building now used by Salvation Army to repurpose as a neighborhood activity center, and a concept for Manchester Basin park improvements that incorporates green infrastructure but has preliminary cost estimates higher than originally budgeted.
Ending: Council members queried timelines and asked staff to bring more detail on neighborhood impacts and the cost tradeoffs for Manchester Basin park work; Public Works will return with final design estimates and grant coordination details.