The city expects to receive federal stimulus money to rebuild 6th Street east from the Guemes Ferry landing. But, just how far east the reconstruction will go isn’t clear.
The City Council Monday night okayed hiring a consultant to survey, map and redesign 6th St. from H Ave., one block west of the ferry landing, east to K Ave. at a cost of $58,500.
City Public Works director Fred Buckenmeyer told the Council that the City will coordinate the project with the County. He said this project will be on a fast pace, as required by the stipulations in the American Recovery Reinvestment Act, with construction to start on Aug. 31.
Buckenmeyer said the city has $700,000 in stimulus money available for this project and he intends to stretch the project as far east from the Guemes ferry landing, at I Ave., as possible.
Buckenmeyer said area residents have expressed concerns to the city over ferry loading, pedestrian safety and bicycle travel on 6th Ave.
One area resident, Boshie Morris, brought a petition to the City Council indicating 6th St. residents are concerned over rumors that city plans to widen the street will take front yards from homes on the south side of 6th. She said they would rather give up on-street parking than lose their front yards. Homes along the south side of 6th have alley access.
Northwest Datum and Design of Mount Vernon was selected by the city to do the redesign and engineering work.