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City considers Main Street overhaul, seeks public input for grant-funded safety upgrades
Summary
City Administrator Matt Hammer presented a Complete Streets proposal to reduce Main Street from four lanes to two, add a bike lane and bump-outs, and pursue a $5,000,000 grant; councilmembers requested public meetings and feedback from Dayton before proceeding.
City Administrator Matt Hammer told the council on May 18 that the city is considering a multi-year overhaul of Main Street that would reduce the roadway from four lanes to two, add a bike lane, install pedestrian bump-outs and repair aging street infrastructure.
"There is $5,000,000 available for Complete Street Grant Funding and the TIB (Transportation Improvement Board) is very supportive of the project as well," Hammer said, noting the city would provide a 5% local match and pursue public meetings and WSDOT approval before any final design is selected. Hammer described the plan as a three- or four-year effort intended to slow traffic through the downtown corridor and improve sidewalks and maintenance access.
Councilmember Schaefer raised safety concerns for children, asking whether bicyclists would be forced into lanes closer to traffic; Schaefer said he "would hate to see kids out in bike lane closer to traffic." Hammer responded that children would still be allowed to ride on sidewalks and that the bike lane is intended for cyclists passing through town. Councilmembers Mackleit and Guenthner asked to hear from Dayton, which completed a similar Main Street reconfiguration, and Councilmember Golden said council members should be prepared to support the plan publicly if it advances to outreach meetings.
The council did not vote on the project and asked city staff to gather feedback from Dayton, schedule public meetings and follow up with WSDOT about intersections and planned roundabout timelines.
