The committee discussed three levels of sidewalk treatment for Washington Avenue — red‑tinted concrete, specialty stamped or shell concrete, and higher‑end textured stone/paver approaches — and asked staff to return with cost estimates, maintenance plans and material samples. Commissioners stressed the need to consider long‑term maintenance and repair, the frequency of utility cuts, and the city’s ability to sustain cleaning and restoration rather than only the up‑front construction cost.

Staff warned that textured or stamped surfaces can be more difficult and costly to maintain — food waste, gum and residue can collect in grooves — and that future utility cuts create patchwork when specialty materials are replaced over time. Facilities staff pointed to examples such as the 1100 block of Lincoln Road and Espanola Way as precedent for higher‑end materials, but noted those areas have dedicated maintenance regimes and, in some cases, owner/developer maintenance obligations.

The committee requested: (1) a menu of five durable material options (including sample photos and maintenance protocols), (2) per‑block construction and life‑cycle cost estimates, and (3) identification of potential funding sources (including Geo Bond money and developer maintenance agreements). Staff said they will return in a month with the requested information and recommended pilot locations.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized that selected materials should be durable and maintainable, and asked staff to propose ways to ensure ongoing upkeep, including potential dedicated maintenance crews or developer maintenance agreements.