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City council hears final downtown streetscapes plan; 5th Street plaza and parklet management highlighted
Summary
Consultant 1st 40 Feet presented a final downtown streetscapes plan to the Anacortes City Council outlining a five-year action plan of demonstration projects, parklet management, parking studies and public-gathering activations, with council and partners discussing funding, grants and pilot projects such as a 5th Street plaza.
City planning staff and consultant 1st 40 Feet presented the final downtown streetscapes plan to the Anacortes City Council, outlining a menu of short-, medium- and long-term actions intended to strengthen Commercial Avenue and create a cohesive downtown loop linking the depot, public market, library and marina.
Planning Director John Coleman introduced Jason Graff (1st 40 Feet), who summarized nearly a year of public engagement, two community workshops, focus groups and surveys. Graff described the plan’s key elements—streetscape enhancements (lighting, furnishings, facade grants), parklet design and management, parking-study recommendations, and public-gathering activation projects including a proposed 5th Street plaza demonstration. “Public gathering is a central feature,” Graff said, noting the plan identifies 21 projects and frames them across a roughly five-year horizon with catalytic early wins and longer lead items such as public restrooms and property acquisition options.
Council members and partners emphasized grant seeking and partner roles in implementation. Ward McKenzie, chair of the Downtown Anacortes Alliance, described the plan as the result of five years of work and encouraged continued collaboration among the city, the DAA and the Creative Arts District.
Discussion focused on practicalities: a parking study was recommended before major changes to traffic patterns; parklet management standards would include two tiers for simple curb parklets and for covered or elevated parklets; the downtown Anacortes Alliance would lead a kit-of-parts approach for furnishings; and the Creative Arts District would help locate a downtown kiosk. Graff also presented restroom options including a Portland Loo example, noting upfront costs but long-term performance benefits. Councilmembers asked staff to report back on funding strategies and suggested a council work session or committee-level follow-up to translate the action matrix into implementable steps.
The council did not take a formal vote on the plan tonight; Graff and staff were asked to provide follow-up information (restroom cost estimates, parking-study scope) and to return with implementation recommendations and potential funding sources.
