Good afternoon,
Construction is moving along quite nicely on Pioneer Way. As you will see in the recent news section below, Strider Construction has completed a large amount of work in the short amount of time they have been on site. This last week has been very exciting. Many of you have experienced the effects of construction first hand and we would like to thank you for your patients and all your encouragement. As always, feel free to stop by our office at any time. We like to keep the coffee hot and we enjoy talking to every one of you.
Scheduled Gatherings
AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup, hear what’s on the schedule for that week
Recent News
● Much of the drainage infrastructure has been installed between Ely and City Beach. Only a few tie-in’s remain.
● As of this afternoon, all water services between Dock and Ely have been replaced. I’d like to thank our City Water crew for helping out with all the water services. They have been a tremendous help in notifying business owners and helping the Strider with individual connections.
● City Staff is continuing efforts to improve parking and pedestrian access. Look for additional signs in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
● Installation of new drainage infrastructure between Dock and Ely will begin next week. This work will consist of new storm drain lines and inlets along the south side of the street. It will be very similar to the drainage infrastructure installed between City Beach and Ely constructed earlier this week.
● A new water main and services will be installed between Ely and City Beach late next week and will continue into the following week. Water service between Highway 20 and Ely Street will be affected when we tie the new main into the existing system. As of right now, we are not sure if that tie in will occur late next week or early the following week. We will notify affected businesses as soon as we have more information. In addition, we are going to attempt to complete the work early in the morning so that the disruption will be minimal.
● Looking a couple of weeks ahead. Slip lining of the sewer main is scheduled to start the week of April 4th. This will be a week long project performed by a sub-contractor to Strider Construction. The work will be performed in small sections from City Beach to Midway with the exception of the sewer that has been replaced between Dock and Ely. We are still working on the specific schedule. Businesses affected by this work will be notified well in advance.
● Also starting after April 4th is construction of the joint utility trench. This will be the first step in undergrounding power, phone and cable facilities. Since this work will only be the conduit for the utilities, we do not expect any interruptions in service.
NOTE: Due to a long-planned commitment, Project Manager Larry Cort will be away from the office beginning Tuesday, March 22, and returning on Thursday, April 7. Please direct all questions and concerns during this period to Joe Stowell, Project Engineer.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Public Art Survey Now Available
As part of the Oak Harbor Arts Commission's effort to select public art pieces for the Pioneer Way project, a survey is now available that will allow the greater Oak Harbor community to express its preferences. The survey deadline is April 18, 2011 and citizens can access the survey in several ways:
1. The print version of the survey is included with the March utility bills. You can also link to a print version at the following: http://www.oakharbor.org/get_document.cfm?document=714 The print version of the survey can be mailed or dropped of at City Hall (Utility office or Development Services).
2. The survey is available online at: http://www.oakharbor.org/surveys/artsurvey/pioneerwayarts.htm
For more information about the public art pieces under consideration or to check in with the Arts Commission's meeting schedule, please check out the Pioneer Way Arts Blog.
1. The print version of the survey is included with the March utility bills. You can also link to a print version at the following: http://www.oakharbor.org/get_document.cfm?document=714 The print version of the survey can be mailed or dropped of at City Hall (Utility office or Development Services).
2. The survey is available online at: http://www.oakharbor.org/surveys/artsurvey/pioneerwayarts.htm
For more information about the public art pieces under consideration or to check in with the Arts Commission's meeting schedule, please check out the Pioneer Way Arts Blog.
Briefing No. 6 - March 18, 2011
First and foremost, we are pleased to report that Strider Construction’s crews made excellent headway this week (despite the trenches being a wee bit damp on Wednesday morning!) by completing the sewer line replacement a little ahead of schedule. One-way traffic along the Phase 1 stretch of the project resumes today. Much more trenching lies ahead – water service connections, drainage lines, the replacement water line between Ely and City Beach Streets and a joint utility trench for power and communications – before the crews turn their attention to the above-ground improvements. We will do our best to keep everyone informed and respond to problems as they arise.
Scheduled Gatherings
AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup, hear what’s on the schedule for that week
Revised Parking Map Available
As promised, City staff have revised the Parking Map distributed with last Friday’s Briefing to include a list of businesses by numbered location on the map. Again, we are attaching the revised map to this email but we will also maintain a stack of copies for your use at the downtown Construction Office. We thank those who have offered suggestions for improving the map!
Recent News
● Strider crews demolished the last remaining section of old sidewalk on the north side of Pioneer between City Beach and Ely Streets.
● Replacing the sewer line between Dock and Ely Streets was messy but is now completed, including replacement of the side sewers from the new main to individual businesses. Special recognition and thanks for the extra tolerance shown by several businesses whose sewer connections coincided with their front door!
● As described in Construction Alert No. 1, the sewer line replacement work resulted in a short-term detour between Dock and Ely Streets. With the completion of this part of job, this block re-opened for one-way traffic on Friday.
● Work started on Thursday afternoon to install new drainage structures and pipe in the block between Ely and City Beach Streets.
● Additional signs were added in several locations to better highlight parking. In addition, City staff created 10 “Pedestrian Access” signs to better direct customers to the front doors of businesses. These signs are portable and will be shifted around as the project needs dictate.
Looking Ahead
● Installation of new drainage infrastructure between Ely and City Beach Streets will continue and work may begin next week on installing drainage facilities between Dock and Ely Streets.
● The major push for next week will be the replacement of individual water services between Dock and Ely Streets. This effort will necessarily involve trenching across Pioneer Way but one-way traffic will continue to flow along the street. Drivers may experience brief delays when metal plates are placed to cover trenches – please drive carefully and safely.
● Unfortunately, temporary water service interruptions will occur with the service line replacement. Business owners between Dock and Ely have been contacted about the service interruptions and City staff have supplied the contractor with a list of businesses with sensitive water use needs (for example, salons and eating establishments). Every effort will be made to schedule these interruptions to avoid shutdowns during critical periods.
● Looking ahead to the weeks of March 28 and April 4, the vast majority of the work between Dock and City Beach Streets will be underground - water service connections, drainage lines, the replacement water line between Ely and City Beach Streets and a joint utility trench for power and communications.
● Finally, we have been extraordinarily grateful for the many splendid ideas, candid observations and can-do attitudes brought to this project by business owners, customers and our growing group of citizen observers. From all of us, thank you!
NOTE: Due to a long-planned commitment, Project Manager Larry Cort will be away from the office beginning Tuesday, March 22, and returning on Thursday, April 7. Please direct all questions and concerns during this period to Joe Stowell, Project Engineer.
Scheduled Gatherings
AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup, hear what’s on the schedule for that week
Revised Parking Map Available
As promised, City staff have revised the Parking Map distributed with last Friday’s Briefing to include a list of businesses by numbered location on the map. Again, we are attaching the revised map to this email but we will also maintain a stack of copies for your use at the downtown Construction Office. We thank those who have offered suggestions for improving the map!
Recent News
● Strider crews demolished the last remaining section of old sidewalk on the north side of Pioneer between City Beach and Ely Streets.
● Replacing the sewer line between Dock and Ely Streets was messy but is now completed, including replacement of the side sewers from the new main to individual businesses. Special recognition and thanks for the extra tolerance shown by several businesses whose sewer connections coincided with their front door!
● As described in Construction Alert No. 1, the sewer line replacement work resulted in a short-term detour between Dock and Ely Streets. With the completion of this part of job, this block re-opened for one-way traffic on Friday.
● Work started on Thursday afternoon to install new drainage structures and pipe in the block between Ely and City Beach Streets.
● Additional signs were added in several locations to better highlight parking. In addition, City staff created 10 “Pedestrian Access” signs to better direct customers to the front doors of businesses. These signs are portable and will be shifted around as the project needs dictate.
Looking Ahead
● Installation of new drainage infrastructure between Ely and City Beach Streets will continue and work may begin next week on installing drainage facilities between Dock and Ely Streets.
● The major push for next week will be the replacement of individual water services between Dock and Ely Streets. This effort will necessarily involve trenching across Pioneer Way but one-way traffic will continue to flow along the street. Drivers may experience brief delays when metal plates are placed to cover trenches – please drive carefully and safely.
● Unfortunately, temporary water service interruptions will occur with the service line replacement. Business owners between Dock and Ely have been contacted about the service interruptions and City staff have supplied the contractor with a list of businesses with sensitive water use needs (for example, salons and eating establishments). Every effort will be made to schedule these interruptions to avoid shutdowns during critical periods.
● Looking ahead to the weeks of March 28 and April 4, the vast majority of the work between Dock and City Beach Streets will be underground - water service connections, drainage lines, the replacement water line between Ely and City Beach Streets and a joint utility trench for power and communications.
● Finally, we have been extraordinarily grateful for the many splendid ideas, candid observations and can-do attitudes brought to this project by business owners, customers and our growing group of citizen observers. From all of us, thank you!
NOTE: Due to a long-planned commitment, Project Manager Larry Cort will be away from the office beginning Tuesday, March 22, and returning on Thursday, April 7. Please direct all questions and concerns during this period to Joe Stowell, Project Engineer.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Project Briefing No. 5 3-11-11
Good afternoon,
Well, it is safe to say that construction has started! Strider Construction’s crews were in full evidence this past week as Pioneer Way between Dock and City Beach Streets has now been stripped away to dirt. We understand that this level of disturbance is very disruptive so we have been especially grateful to those who have offered useful suggestions or initiated creative solutions on their own. Keep those ideas coming in! And, in case anyone needs reminding, Pioneer Way is open for business (day and evening!) and parking is available!
Scheduled Events
AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup, hear what’s on the schedule for that week
MERCHANT MEETINGS Wednesday, March 16, 2011 – 6:00 pm
Paint Your World
Thursday, March 17, 2011 – 8:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Downtown Parking Map Available
Based on a number of suggestions from downtown merchants, the City has produced a map of downtown that shows available public parking, along with private parking that has been made available during construction (thanks Jill Schacht and the Collantes!).
We intend to maintain a stock of paper copies in the construction office so please feel free to drop by to pick some up. Finally, we are working on a revised version that will display the business names and address associated with each building number – available next week!
Recent News
● Paving and sidewalks were removed between City Beach and Dock Streets and one-way traffic was established through the construction zone.
● Barriers were installed on both sides of the street to separate foot traffic from vehicle traffic and to secure a safe path to the front doors of businesses.
● Street trees were heavily pruned between Dock Street and Midway Boulevard to get the branches out of the utility wires. Trees in the main construction have been removed.
● City staff welcomed a number of Pioneer Way business operators at our first weekly Tuesday morning coffee but we had leftover baked treats – please drop by to help us make sure that doesn’t happen again!
● There is no longer a traffic signal at the corner of Pioneer Way and Dock Street, the end of the line for what was one of the first, if not the first, signal location on Whidbey Island.
● Supplemental A-board signs were placed along Bayshore, Barrington and Fidalgo to direct drivers to shops and parking. These signs are portable and will likely be shifted around as the project needs dictate.
Looking Ahead
● Demolition of paving and sidewalks will continue during the first part of the week between City Beach and Ely Streets.
● Most of the major work next week will be concentrated in the block between Ely and Dock Streets. This block is scheduled to have its 10-inch sewer line replaced, with new side sewers to serve individual buildings. Because the sewer line is located in the middle of street, there will likely be closures of this block during weekdays – one-way traffic will be restored during evenings and the weekend. When closed, traffic will be detoured left on Ely Street, right on Fidalgo Street and then right on Dock Street back to Pioneer. This work will likely start on Monday and continue throughout the week.
● Unfortunately, temporary sewer service interruptions will occur with the sewer line replacement. Business owners between Dock and Ely will be contacted as soon as we know when these interruptions will happen. Every effort will be made to coordinate these interruptions according to the type of business.
● Looking ahead to the week of March 21, water service lines will be replaced between Ely and Dock Streets, along with replacement drainage pipes and structures between City Beach and Dock Streets. Again, any service interruptions to water services will be coordinated with individual properties and businesses.
● We have received good feedback on ways to supplement the directional signs to get people into and around downtown. Efforts are underway to find creative ways to build customer traffic during construction.
Update from Lesley McConnell, Communications Specialist
As construction swings into full gear, I have been out on the street meeting with merchants and business owners to identify immediate, short term and longer term interventions to help retain business activity. This week’s work involved the following:
· Liaising with media partners to identify their products, rates and promotions and ways that they can partner with the downtown to keep business strong
· Distributing flyers to invite merchants to meetings (below) and to provide contact details and a face-to-face introduction
· Updating a contact list of all merchants (ongoing) and to ensure emails are current for frequent email updates
· Planning additional signage and parking logistics
· Preparing interim maps and enhanced maps for future use
Information meetings for all local businesses are planned for 6pm, on the 16th of March, at Paint Your World on Pioneer Way, and 8am on 17th March at the City’s downtown office. Please join us to hear about options for the proposed communications and marketing program.
Lesley can be reached at the City’s downtown office, 720-1 Pioneer Way, throughout the project. Her official contact details are Cellphone: 360-914-7035, email: lmcconnell@oakharbor.org.
Key City Contact People
These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:
Larry Cort Joe Stowell Lesley McConnell
Project Manager Project Engineer Communication Specialist
360 914 7107 360 279-4520 360 914-7035
lcort@oakharbor.org jstowell@oakharbor.org lmcconnell@oakbarbor.org
Other Places for Information
Pioneer Way Web Page - http://www.oakharbor.org/page.cfm?pageId=379
Pioneer Way Project Blog - http://pioneerway.blogspot.com/
Pioneer Way Art Project Blog - http://cohpioneerwayart.blogspot.com/
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