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Residents urge quicker pedestrian-safety work after fatal crash at Cole and Stevenson
Summary
At the June 22 council meeting residents pressed the Enumclaw City Council to speed pedestrian-safety measures at the Cole and Stevenson intersection after the recent death of a local resident; callers urged temporary low-cost fixes while longer projects are scheduled.
At its June 22 meeting the Enumclaw City Council heard multiple public comments urging faster pedestrian-safety work at the intersection of Cole Street and Stevenson after the death of resident Eileen Griffith.
Several residents described near-misses and chronic speeding at the corner and asked the council and staff to accelerate measures such as crosswalk improvements, lighting, and short-term high-visibility fixes. One resident who had previously notified staff said a staff member told her the pedestrian funding might not be scheduled until January; she said that timetable “didn’t feel fast enough” after the fatality.
The appeals included emotional firsthand accounts. A speaker who identified herself as a longtime resident told the council she had notified staff after a January crash and said, “We have another person who got hit in January and passed away.” Another resident who identified as a Navy and Army Reserve veteran asked for enforcement and traffic calming, saying, “I am now 76 years old. I'd like to live to a 100… people just zoom by.” Nora Tackenboge, a longtime city resident, said, “I just hope that, you know, Eileen's death wasn't in vain.”
Resident Cindy Proctor described recurring safety shortcomings in nearby neighborhood corridors — missing ADA curb ramps, increased cut-through traffic due to Cole Street closures and drivers who run stop signs — and urged council to reconsider previously rejected traffic-calming requests. She recommended lower-cost options such as mid-block reflective markings and improved crosswalk signage and said video evidence is available to document violations.
Council members heard calls for both short-term fixes (high-visibility flags, reflective markings, targeted enforcement) and longer-term capital work. Residents framed their requests as urgent: they asked for staff to report back with a clear timeline and to consider reallocating or advancing funds already earmarked for pedestrian improvements.
The comments occurred during the public comment period; council did not take formal action on the matter that evening. Mayor (speaker 1) and staff acknowledged the concerns; Council will consider next steps at future meetings and in committee, according to council committee reports and prior staff updates.
