Sheldon Williams, capital projects manager for the city, briefed the Parks and Recreation Commission on Jan. 9 about the downtown connectivity project that would convert George Washington Way and Jadwin into a one‑way couplet, add protected bicycle facilities and widen sidewalks.

“The big one is a downtown connectivity… which is the one‑way couplet,” Williams said, describing a configuration that would make George Washington Way northbound and Jadwin southbound, each with three lanes and enhancements for bicycles and pedestrians. He said the corridor design includes an 11‑foot‑wide, two‑lane, bi‑directional protected cycle track, raised barriers, 8‑foot sidewalks in places, upgraded stormwater and new lighting.

Williams said the project is being designed in multiple parts with civil, traffic and urban design consultants; staff hope to advertise late this year and begin construction late this year or early next.

Because the project relies on federal funding, Williams explained the NEPA process and presented three de‑minimis park impacts the department is asking the commission to acknowledge: a 12‑foot multi‑use pathway through Jefferson Park to replace an existing narrow, 4‑foot sidewalk; a “tiny slice” of concrete to extend an ADA ramp at John Dam Plaza; and a small remnant wedge at the south end near Gillespie Parkway that would be incorporated into the roadway. Williams characterized these impacts as minimal and said some tree removals and exact alignments remain to be finalized.

Commissioners asked about tree roots affecting the new pathway and how bicycle movements and right‑of‑way would be managed. Williams said the design team is still working through signal and intersection treatments and that, for unsignalized crossings, motorists will likely be required to yield to bikes similar to pedestrian yielding; he also described green pavement markings and raised barriers to increase visibility and safety.

Commissioners raised questions about e‑bikes, passing behavior, and how the one‑way couplet could affect event routing for car shows and tournaments. Williams and staff said event organizers have been informed and that routing and detour planning will continue as the design is finalized.

No formal vote to approve design elements was taken by the commission that evening; the presentation was part of the project’s environmental documentation and design process.