City to pilot temporary curb extensions, planters and painted crosswalk art in downtown as part of master‑plan work

Planning staff briefed the commission on a pilot streetscape and traffic‑calming project tied to the city’s downtown master plan. The pilot will install temporary curb extensions (a.k.a. bulb‑outs), flexible delineators, painted surface treatments, planters and benches at two downtown intersections to test pedestrian safety and place‑making approaches.

Jennifer Severson, planning director, said the pilot focuses on two intersections: Second & Callender (near the post office and bank) and Clark & Main (near shops and restaurants). Each intersection would get curb extensions on the corners — eight curb extensions total for the two intersections — with painted surface markings, planters (pollinator species), removable benches and flexible posts to highlight pedestrian space. The work is funded through the Urban Renewal Agency (URA) and was designed with technical input from the Western Transportation…