PORT ANGELES — A new waterfront development plan is now in the works.
The Port Angeles City Council on Tuesday gave the green light for the design of a promenade and waterfront park and completion of Olympic Discovery Trail’s downtown route.
The Waterfront and Transportation Improvement Plan, as it is called, extends beyond the Port Angeles downtown waterfront, although that area is its focus.
It also involves the design of new entryway monuments where U.S. Highway 101 enters Port Angeles; six new way-finding signs to help direct traffic to shopping, civic and recreational destinations; and the creation of a transportation plan.
The design work will be done by Studio Cascade of Spokane under a two-phase contract anticipated to eventually cost about $778,000.
The waterfront improvements are estimated to cost about $4.5 million to design and build.
Nathan West, city community and economic development director, said the city is seeking state and federal grants to pay for their construction.
West said the waterfront improvements are about creating a “sense of place” and provide for more public access and recreation.
“The most critical component is creating a place where both residents and visitors can enjoy,” he said.
West said the city also expects that such improvements will encourage development.
As envisioned, the promenade would be placed along Railroad Avenue between Oak and Laurel streets.
A 2-acre waterfront park and a new segment of the trail would be placed on land that the city leases near Oak Street from the state Department of Natural Resources.
The transportation plan would involve conducting a downtown parking study, improving pedestrian access to businesses along First and Front streets in the “International Corridor” east of downtown and defining main routes for trucks, cars and bicycles throughout Port Angeles.
The council unanimously endorsed the plan, which was influenced by the American Institute of Architects’ 2009 report on Port Angeles.
Studio Cascade will be paid up to $484,000 for the first phase, which involves producing the design concepts for the waterfront improvements and soliciting public input.
Phase two mainly covers producing the “bid-ready” construction documents, according to a city staff memo.
Staff members estimate that the second phase contract will cost about $330,000 once negotiated.
The completion of the traffic plan, way-finding signs and entryway monuments will coincide with the other work.
Sue Roberds, city planning manager, said that public input will be a big part of completing the design of the promenade and other waterfront improvements.
“This is the community’s promenade,” she said.
“This is the community’s concept.”
The city has developed a “conceptual design,” but that is expected to be changed by the consultant, with the help of public input.
West said public meetings likely will begin next month.
A website for the project also will be created.
Thirteen firms were interviewed for the contract. A city staff memo says that Studio Cascade will not charge the city for travel expenses.
Six other firms will assist the company with the project, including Zenovic and Associates of Port Angeles and Walkable and Livable Communities Inc. of Port Townsend.
The way-finding signs are expected to be in place by the end of the year. The monuments may take two years.
To see the city’s “conceptual” video of waterfront improvements, go to www.cityofpa.us/CommEconDev.htm .
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
