Public Works presents capital improvement updates: Ninth Avenue boulevard near completion; Meeker Street, Deer Creek grants move forward
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Summary
Public Works Capital Vision Supervisor Drew Young reviewed the city’s capital program, reported a pavement condition index near 73, projects completed in 2025 and grant awards for culvert replacements and a water tank retrofit; staff said Ninth Avenue work will open in November once final lights and punch list items are completed.
Drew Young, Capital Vision Supervisor in Public Works, gave the council an update on capital projects and the city’s pavement condition at the Oct. 8 budget study session. Young said the city’s overall pavement condition index (PCI) is about 73, placing most streets in the “very good” band and noting that the StreetSaver asset‑management tool provides peer comparisons and monthly reporting.
Ninth Avenue project: Young said the Ninth Avenue Southwest pedestrian boulevard project (adjacent to the Washington State Fairgrounds) is substantially complete and staff hopes to open the roadway in November once pedestrian lighting (delayed by material lead times), signal pole delivery and remaining punch‑list items are finished. The project included storm and sewer replacement phases funded through a mix of grants, LTAC and city stormwater funds.
Other projects and grants: Young highlighted several 2025 completions including an arterial reclamation on Inter Avenue (reclamation and repaving), a sidewalk infill project on 23rd Ave SW linking the 5‑mile loop trail, and a recoating plus retrofit of the Ninth Avenue water tank (Tank 2) funded in part by a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant of over $3 million. He noted an awarded $8.7 million grant for Deer Creek and culvert replacements along 27th Street SE and said the city is positioning projects and contracts to obligate USDOT and other federal grants in later fiscal years.
Traffic/transportation funding and next steps: Young described a planned 2026 construction forecast driven by about $9.6 million in grant‑funded projects and asked the council to continue to prioritize grants, standardize long‑range cost estimates and pursue partnerships that stretch local dollars. Councilmembers asked about neighborhood traffic‑calming fund balances and whether more money could be devoted to speed mitigation; staff said the neighborhood traffic calming program currently has roughly $300,000 in fund balance and no new 2026 appropriation was shown in the proposed CIP.
Ending: Public Works will continue design and grant procurement work and return with details; the council asked for an additional discussion of traffic calming, speed mitigation options and funding sources in a future study session.
