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32nd Avenue preservation project set for summer; council asks for low‑cost school‑exit options
Summary
Public Works previewed the 32nd Avenue preservation project — pavement rehabilitation, stormwater and ADA upgrades — timed to start the Monday after school ends to reduce impacts. Council asked staff to study low‑cost options to address hazardous student egress points while noting any driveway changes would require a separate public process with the school district.
City public works staff told the Spokane Valley City Council May 26 that a preservation project on 32nd Avenue (from Pines Road to State Route 27) is slated for construction this summer and will include pavement rehab, stormwater improvements, ADA upgrades and ITS infrastructure.
"This project replaces the deteriorating pavement on 32nd Avenue from Pines Road to SR‑27," Public Works Director Robert Blagan said, adding the contract installs an 18‑inch water main that the city will later be reimbursed for through an interlocal agreement. Blagan said timing is driven by the school calendar: "If we receive responsive bids when we bid open on June 3 ... to preserve our goal of starting work on June 22, which is the Monday immediately after school is out, we would need council action on the day of the budget workshop."
Council members raised safety concerns at the student exit onto 32nd. Blagan and the city manager said the preservation scope does not include geometric changes or new driveways. The city manager noted that an exit onto Pines was prohibited by original land‑use approvals when the high school was built and that any change to that condition would require a change‑of‑condition or a formal land‑use process led by the school district and subject to public hearings.
Council agreed there is value in analyzing low‑cost interim options to reduce risk at the student exit and asked staff to return with conceptual, low‑cost proposals and outreach steps. If the council seeks a geometric or driveway change, staff said that would require separate public engagement and land‑use proceedings.
Next steps: bids open June 3; staff expects to bring the contract award for council action at the June 9 budget meeting if responsive bids allow the planned summer schedule. Staff will also bring low‑cost study options related to the school exit back to council for further consideration.
