PORT ANGELES — Francis Street is getting 41 curb ramps for wheelchair accessibility thanks to a $300,000 state grant.
The Port Angeles City Council accepted Tuesday the state Transportation Improvement Board Complete Streets grant and authorized City Manager Nathan West to execute the agreement.
“I would like to share with the public that no matching funds from the city are required,” City Council member Cherie Kidd said before the unanimous vote.
“Zero. I mean, this is so unusual.”
The 41 Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps will be installed along Francis Street from Caroline Avenue to Eighth Street in 2021, acting Public Works and Utilities Director Shailesh Shere said.
The corridor provides access to Olympic Medical Center, Erickson Playfield and the Dream Playground, the Olympic Peninsula YMCA and the Olympic Discovery Trail, Kidd said.
“I’m just real pleased,” Kidd added. “Thank you staff. This is awesome.”
City Council member Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin said the city was eligible for the Transportation Improvement Board funding because the council recently passed a Complete Streets ordinance.
“This is an example of how we have to get creative when were talking about sidewalks and these street improvements,” Council member Mike French said.
“It’s always very frustrating to go through the capital facilities plan and hear our funding challenges as a city, to hear about our pavement index where it is.
“So to see something come forward where we are able to leverage existing funds that the state can provide, or someone else can provide, to make real important improvements for our citizens is very rewarding,” French added.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
