Politics & Government

Million Dollar Improvements Will Transform 27th Street This Summer

The northern half of 27th Street, between Grandview Drive and Bridgeport Way in University Place, is getting a significant facelift.

27th Street is getting a $1 million facelift this summer, with new landscaping, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and street lighting on the north side of the street, between Grandview Drive and Bridgeport Way.

Two speed radar feedback signs will be installed (one in each direction) to help control speeds and improve vehicle and pedestrian safety. A new, signalized crosswalk will also be built at the intersection of 27th and Sunset Drive West, according to the UP Headlines newsletter for May/June 2013.

The University Place City Council approved the $1.16 million construction bid at the June 3, 2013 regular meeting. City Engineer Jack Ecklund told the council that construction is expected to begin in July and should be completed this October.

"We want the bulk of construction to be done while school is out," Ecklund said.

Funding comes from over $900,000 in federal grants and a partnership with one of the owners of Grandview Plaza. Additional federal grants were obtained by the city to construct an asphalt overlay of the street.

Councilmembers voiced concern about the health of the 27th Street business district during construction. Ecklund said that the engineering team has been in close contact with business representatives and that the city will supply signs and take driveway considerations into thoughtful mind.

"We will never close a driveway entirely for any period of time, except when things are paved right in front [of the entry]," said Ecklund. "There will always be an access point."

During a snowstorm or other extreme-weather situation, it always seems the 27th Street corridor is hit the hardest, councilmember Eric Choinere said. Was there any consideration in bringing the utilities underground?

Doing so would have doubled project costs, but Ecklund said his team would keep the idea in mind.

"You never know when funding opportunities will be available," Ecklund said.

He added that the proposed senior center development on 27th Street has been considered in these street updates, and that the city's portion of the project is designed to meet up with that project's road mitigations.

City officials expressed their enthusiasm at the road improvement, a long time coming for the University Place community. Plans for this street update were first discussed back in 2003, when the city and 27th Street Business District Association collaborated on the streetscape plan.

"It's worth the wait, and will be beautiful when it's all done," said Mayor Ken Grassi.


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