The City of Cle Elum initiated a Downtown Revitalization project to increase economic development and create a safe, walkable, and aesthetically inviting First Street. This project is being completed in three phases. Phase 1 completed all stormwater, sidewalk, and roadway improvements at the First Street and Peoh Avenue intersection. Phase 2 completed all stormwater improvements along First Street between Billings and Peoh Avenue, as well as full intersection improvements at the Billings Avenue intersection and along the north side of First Street from Billings to Oakes Avenue. Construction of Phase 3 will be completed in subphases, with Phase 3A and 3B currently under construction.
Improvements include bulbouts, constructed to constrict and slow traffic, as well as reducing distance for safer pedestrian crossing. Work also includes patterned sidewalks, curb and gutters, ADA ramps, street and pedestrian illumination, street signage with decorative pole provisions, angled parking, landscaping, storm drain piping and catch basins, and undergrounding all overhead utilities. Streetscape amenities include planters, trees with GFI receptacles for lighting, shrubs, integrated irrigation system, hanging baskets, benches, trash receptacles, and bike racks. 55 new catch basins and over 3,800 feet of storm drainpipe were installed as part of Phase 2 to manage stormwater. These intersection improvements have since spurred private investment into adjacent buildings.
HLA developed funding strategies using 21 funding sources, planning and community input phase, design engineering, plans, specifications, bidding assistance, construction observation and management, and funding administration services. HLA provided topographic survey and drone overlay, and NEPA environmental compliance, including DAHP permitting for the historic downtown. HLA provided coordination efforts with private utilities for overhead to underground conversion. HLA also assisted in securing approvals from FHWA, WSDOT, TIB, CDBG, USDA, PWB, and Kittitas County. Hough Beck & Baird Inc. provided landscape architecture design.
