Marlene Feist, Utilities Communications Manager, No Phone Number Available
Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 3:40 p.m.
Earlier this week, we held a meeting to talk to citizens about an opportunity to update the look of Wall Street downtown. A project to install a sewer main on the block of Wall between Spokane Falls Boulevard and Main Avenue serves as the stimulus for a new surface look.
Work on the sewer main is set to begin in early August and will include the intersections of Wall and Main and Wall and Spokane Falls. In phase one, crews will install the pipe and cover the construction area with a temporary asphalt patch. That work is expected to take eight to 12 weeks, with limited access to traffic.
In phase two, which is planned for the spring of 2016, the City will install a new surface on the street from Main to Spokane Falls and add related elements, including lighting and landscaping. The project schedule and phasing also will accommodate private construction work planned on Wall Street to build a new Urban Outfitters store. Earlier this year, the City approved a vacation of part of Wall Street to allow for the new development, which is part of River Park Square.
Wall Street from Spokane Falls Boulevard to Riverside Avenue is a brick street, designed for greater pedestrian activity. Now, we're looking to update the street design, improve its pedestrian appeal, further activate its use for events, and help lead people to a renovated Riverfront Park.
The City eventually would like to extend the new design on the block between Main and Riverside.
In our new world of “integrated” thinking, updating the surface while we're installing a sewer main just makes sense. As we upgrade underground infrastructure, we always want to consider ways to improve the surface—the part that our citizens and visitors actually see.
Ultimately, this project is part of the City's much-larger efforts to improve the health of the Spokane River. In addition to this upgrade to the treatment plant, the City's Integrated Clean Water Plan details work to reduce overflows from combined sanitary and stormwater sewers and reduce the amount of stormwater reaching the river from separated storm sewers.
We really want to know what you think. What do you like about Wall Street today and what don't you like? Do you like the bricks or do you want to see an updated concrete surface? What about the tiles on the sidewalks or the landscaping?
Overall, we're looking at lighting, surface materials, planters, and more. Take a look at our powerpoint from the meeting and provide a comment to this blog. Or, send an email with your thoughts to mfeist@spokanecity.org.
