Planners outline North King Street master-plan process, emphasize pedestrian and redevelopment options

City planning staff reviewed progress on the North King Street Corridor master plan, describing Phase 1 public input and Phase 2 outreach and design work scheduled for the summer and fall.

"Phase 1 basically deals with collecting information, getting data, and getting input from the public," planner Constance Mason said, adding that Phase 1 meetings drew "approximately 160 people in attendance over 2 days." Mason summarized Phase 1 findings — strengths like a strong neighborhood identity and historic character, and weaknesses including unsafe intersections and lack of streetscape — and presented Phase 2 initiative areas that include pedestrian/bicycle improvements, intersection reconfiguration and redevelopment sites such as the Selden Farm/Kmart area.

She described two alternatives for a major commercial intersection (keep a ramp vs. an at‑grade urban intersection) and recommended a phased approach. Council members pressed for clearer focus on North King Street as the primary gateway to downtown and asked that staff return with implementation schedules and funding plans. Mason said Phase 2 began May 9, included a design charrette, and staff expects a draft in September with planning‑commission review in October and a council hearing in late 2006 or early 2007.