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Council selects Wildheart Designs' 'The River' for 133rd Avenue NE roundabout
Summary
After robust community outreach and more than 400 online and in‑person votes, Woodinville city staff recommended—and the council unanimously approved—Wildheart Designs' The River for the 133rd Avenue NE roundabout public‑art installation.
Josh Jeffrey, a city staff presenter, told the Woodinville City Council that public engagement for the 133rd Avenue Northeast roundabout art project produced ‘‘well over about 400 votes’’ and that the community’s top choice was Wildheart Designs’ The River. The council adopted a motion authorizing the city manager to implement the project.
The staff presentation summarized a multi‑step process. The city’s Public Spaces Commission and staff refined artist proposals after a January call for artists, tested refined concepts at summer concerts and hosted an online poll. Jeffrey said the updated engagement summary (current through the day before the meeting) showed Wildheart Designs’ entry leading the poll and noted that the selected piece would be central in the roundabout and include built lighting to create a dynamic, moving effect. He described the Wildheart sculpture as the largest of the three finalists, noting it extends ‘‘over all of the skylights’’ and runs more than 43 feet in length.
Councilmembers praised the outreach and the public‑choice approach. Councilmember Evans thanked staff for in‑person engagement during summer events and said the results aligned with what residents told staff. Councilmember Arndt said the Wildheart design’s scale and integrated lighting made it a strong choice for a storefront to the trail and the planned pedestrian‑bike tunnel below. Deputy Mayor Randolph and others emphasized that the selection reflected years of public input and the work of the Public Spaces Commission.
The council voted by roll call to select Wildheart Designs’ The River and to authorize the city manager to take necessary steps to implement the project. The motion carried unanimously. Staff said the artwork would be installed in the roundabout center and that next steps include final project scheduling and implementation actions by the city manager.
The council’s action completes the artist‑selection phase; staff will return with implementation details, schedule and any necessary construction coordination with the roundabout and tunnel work.
