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Residents urge immediate pedestrian safety fixes after fatal collision at Cole and Stevenson
Summary
Residents told the council during public comment that a January collision that killed Eileen Griffith underscores urgent need for interim and long-term pedestrian safety measures at Cole Street and Stevenson Avenue, including enforcement, lighting, and low-cost traffic calming while larger projects await funding.
Residents used the public-comment period at the June 22 Enumclaw City Council meeting to press the city for faster action after a January traffic collision that later proved fatal.
An unidentified resident (speaker 6) told the council a person struck in January died and asked for an update on safety improvements for the Cole and Stevenson area, saying a previously-discussed project might not occur until January and urging the city to secure pedestrian funding now. "We would still wish to have an update regarding how we're moving forward on the Stevenson Coal area...we've lost a person," the resident said.
A veteran who identified himself only by his remarks (speaker 4) described drivers he called "enemies behind the wheel" who speed through the intersection while distracted and urged enforcement and engineering changes, including lighting, 25 mph signage and speed enforcement. "Before we have more deaths...put in the lights, put in the signs 25 miles an hour, and do something, please," he said.
Nora Tackenboge (speaker 7), a longtime city resident, urged low-cost interim measures such as the handheld red flags some cities use to increase driver awareness and said she hoped the death of Eileen Griffith would not be in vain. Cindy Proctor (speaker 8) described related neighborhood safety concerns—failing to stop at crosswalks, missing ADA-compliant curb cuts, heavier on-street parking that blocks sightlines, and frequent cut-through traffic—and said she had video documenting drivers running stop signs.
City officials did not take formal action during the public-comment period. Councilmembers heard the requests and committee reports later in the meeting; council did not announce an immediate funding commitment or timeline for the Cole and Stevenson improvements during the session. The comments were recorded for follow-up during committee or staff review.
Next steps: callers asked council and staff for a clear status update and interim safety measures; the transcript shows residents asking staff and council for a timeline and for consideration of lower-cost, temporary cues while larger capital projects await funding.
