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Residents urge Enumclaw council to accelerate pedestrian-safety fixes after fatal January crash
Summary
Multiple residents told the Enumclaw City Council on June 22 that pedestrian-safety improvements at the Cole and Stevenson intersection are overdue after a January crash that resulted in a death, and asked for both interim measures and accelerated funding for permanent improvements.
Residents used the public-comment period at the Enumclaw City Council meeting on June 22 to press the council for faster pedestrian-safety work after a January crash that later proved fatal.
At the podium a longtime community member said a person hit in January later died and asked for an update on the Stevenson–Cole area, requesting pedestrian funding rather than a projected start next January. "We would still wish to have an update regarding how we're moving forward on the Stevenson Cole area," the speaker said, adding, "We really need your help." The speaker also noted that the victim was a "lovely lady" and asked the council to prevent another death.
John (a resident who was introduced at the meeting) said he is a Navy veteran and urged immediate safety measures: "Put in the lights, put in the signs 25 miles an hour, and take people's cars away…do something, please." He suggested targeted enforcement such as speed checks to deter drivers who "don't pay attention." Nora Tackenboge, who identified herself as a city resident, reiterated that the victim was Eileen Griffith and proposed low-cost interim steps such as the small red flags some cities place at crossings to increase driver awareness.
Longtime resident Cindy Proctor described a broader pattern of risky driving on Rilla Lane and Melody Lane — high speeds, failures to stop at signs, limited driver visibility from on-street parking, and missing ADA-compliant curb ramps that force people into the roadway. She said she has documented videos of stop-sign violations and asked the council to reconsider lower-cost traffic-calming options and accessibility fixes near trailheads and bus stops.
Speakers repeatedly asked the council to prioritize both short-term, inexpensive steps and an expedited schedule for permanent improvements. Several commenters referenced prior council conversations and a staff estimate that work might not take place until January; they urged the city to seek interim measures in the meantime.
The meeting record shows the public-comment requests were received during the June 22 session but contains no formal motion or council vote to authorize immediate pedestrian construction or funding during that meeting. Council committees later review capital and traffic projects; residents asked staff and councilmembers to follow up with specific timelines and funding options.
