Friday, August 26, 2011

Briefing No. 27
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project

August 26, 2011

Good afternoon,

Most everyone is probably aware that the downtown shoreline of Oak Harbor once came up to and often underneath the commercial buildings on the south side of Pioneer Way. Obviously, with the construction of Bayshore Drive (formerly Flintstone Freeway) and the subsequent filling of the area between Bayshore and Pioneer, these buildings lost their immediate connection to the water. In preparing for the new south side sidewalks , this history was obvious to see as gaps were exposed between the sidewalk location and the original slope under two buildings that at one time would have led directly to salt water. To remedy this situation, Strider crews had to custom build forms so that the fresh concrete would not just pour directly into the basements of these buildings. Problem solved and on to this week’s update.

Construction Work

□ Within Phase 1, work will continue to complete the irrigation installation and testing. Once this work has been approved, the landscaping subcontractor will bring in topsoil and remove the pedestrian barricades around the planting areas. In addition, removal of the two flawed sidewalk panels in front of the Casual House and the Pioneer Project Office, originally scheduled for last week, is now on the revised schedule for early in the week of September 6.

□ Efforts within Phase 2 were all about concrete. Between Dock and Ireland Streets, Strider crews concentrated on final preparations for the arrival of new sidewalks next week. Curb gaps were closed and several ADA ramps were poured. S&S Concrete will be back in town on Monday and, beginning at The Rusty Chandelier at Dock and Pioneer, will pour the north side sidewalks as far as Ireland and then move to the south side working back to Dock Street. Please be aware that the grid pattern must be cut into the new sidewalks once dry, a process that can be quite noisy. East of Ilwaco, curb and gutter work was mostly completed which will allow Strider to begin preparing for sidewalks in this area.

□ Looking ahead to the week of September 6, detail work will continue within Phase 1, especially within the planting areas and on the sidewalks. Most of the work in Phase 2 will be concentrated east of Ilwaco where the current schedule calls for sidewalks to begin pouring during the week of September 6. Please note that Strider plans to work Saturday, September 10 to make up the day lost to the Labor Day holiday.

The Archaeological Work

□ The City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), in cooperation with Tribal representatives, will wrap up all currently authorized work early next week. The next step will be a consultation meeting between State, Tribal and City officials to determine how to handle the additional human remains that were discovered within several of the test pits. The State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation has scheduled this meeting for mid-September.

□ Archaeological monitoring will continue whenever Strider or one of their contractors performs any excavation work.

Scheduled Gatherings/Events

AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week

FIRST FRIDAY Friday, September 2 – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
First Friday Art Walk and Late Night Shopping
Fall Fashion Preview Walks at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm

Key City Contact People

These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:

Larry Cort
Project Manager
360 914 7107
lcort@oakharbor.org

Joe Stowell
Project Engineer
360 279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org

Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360 914-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.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/


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Construction Alert No. 16
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project

August 22, 2011

Latest News about Concrete

At this afternoon’s weekly construction meeting, Strider confirmed that S&S Concrete is scheduled to arrive in town tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. While there could be some spot sidewalk work between Dock and Ireland Streets on Tuesday and Wednesday, most of the effort initially will be focused on curb and gutter work east of Ilwaco Street. The reasons behind this decision are threefold – first, the irrigation subcontractor is still completing connections and testing between Dock and Ireland; second, there is some concrete form work needed at the base of the railing wall and in the gap between All Things Irish and Popsie’s (the big hole); and, third, a gap must be created for an ADA curb ramp on the north side of the street. Also, and this may or may not be a factor, curbs can be poured in light rain whereas sidewalks need mostly dry days. The forecast calls for the sun to return tomorrow afternoon but it is fair to say that this summer has been nothing if not unpredictable!

Bottom line, the intensive sidewalk work between Dock and Ireland is scheduled to begin on Thursday of this week with completion expected by next Thursday, September 1. To the best of our abilities, we will let business owners know at least a day ahead when the crews are expected to be pouring concrete at their front doors. We will work with individual businesses to minimize access issues.

Key City Contact People

Larry Cort
Project Manager
360 914-7107
lcort@oakharbor.org

Joe Stowell
Project Engineer
360 279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org

Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360 914-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.org

Friday, August 19, 2011

Briefing No. 26
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project

August 19, 2011

Good morning,

Project watchers this week will have witnessed Strider crews in action both east and west of the archaeological discovery block. Between Dock and Ireland, the last remaining vaults and irrigation lines are now in place as this stretch is being readied for new sidewalks beginning next week. Between Ilwaco and Midway, work is underway to install the last of the underground pipes and services in preparation for curbs and gutters, also beginning next week.

The concrete subcontractor, S&S Concrete, is scheduled to arrive in town next early next week. Over the next two weeks, they will be working both east and west of the archaeological discovery block, balancing sidewalk work between Dock and Ireland with curb and gutter work east of Ilwaco. The reason that some of their time must be directed to curb and gutter work between Ilwaco and Midway is simply to keep Strider’s crew busy while the sidewalk work is ongoing. In other words, if S&S was to focus solely on the Dock to Ireland sidewalks next week, a portion of Strider’s crew would be idle which would extend the substantial completion date and likely subject the City to additional costs for lost efficiency. The contractor’s schedule calls for completion of the Dock to Ireland sidewalks and the Ilwaco to Midway curb and gutter by September 1, or just in time for the next First Friday event.

Construction Work

□ Within Phase 1, work may continue within the planting areas depending on the availability of the landscaping subcontractor. City staff have stressed the importance of completing the irrigation and adding topsoil to these areas so that the pedestrian barrier fencing can finally be removed. In addition, two sidewalk panels, one in front of the Casual House and one in front of the Pioneer Project Office, will be removed and re-poured due to poor quality workmanship during the grinding process.

□ This past week, work within Phase 2 concentrated on preparing for the arrival of the concrete contractors next week. Meter boxes and vaults were raised to match the new sidewalk grade, irrigation was completed to the planting areas and planter pot locations and electrical and communications service connections were completed to individual buildings. East of Ilwaco, the street and parking areas were graded in preparation for the curb and gutter work and irrigation piping was installed.

□ Looking ahead to the two weeks between August 22 and September 2, the focus as noted above will be on sidewalks between Dock and Ireland Streets and installation of curb and gutter east of Ilwaco Street. Once the curb and gutter work is in place, Strider will begin preparing the sidewalk areas between Ilwaco and Midway. Please note that no construction work will be scheduled for the Ilwaco to Ireland block until the archaeological work is complete, with possible exception of some sidewalk area preparation on the north side.

The Archaeological Work

□ The City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), in cooperation with Tribal representatives, should complete as much work as they are currently authorized to complete by the end of next week. As noted earlier, additional human remains were exposed within several of the test pits. In accordance with the City’s archaeological permit, the presence of human remains in the test pits triggers a requirement for additional consultation with State and Tribal representatives to determine the next steps. The State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation has called for a meeting early in September to have this discussion.

□ NWAA was scheduled to proceed next week with archaeological testing on the north side of Pioneer Way between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets. However, with the consultation meeting delayed until early September, we were faced with the prospect of full closure of this block for as long as three weeks. For that reason, we have asked NWAA to delay testing on the north side until after the consultation meeting.

□ An archaeological monitor is in place whenever Strider or one of their contractors performs any excavation work. In addition, city and contracting staff have also been trained by NWAA and Tribal officials in the basics of archaeological law and reporting requirements.

Scheduled Gatherings/Events

AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week

FIRST FRIDAY Friday, September 2 – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
First Friday Art Walk and Late Night Shopping
Fall Fashion Preview Walks at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm

Key City Contact People

These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:

Larry Cort
Project Manager
360-914-7107
lcort@oakharbor.org

Joe Stowell
Project Engineer
360-279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org

Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360-614-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.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/


Monday, August 15, 2011

Please accept our apologies for the late arrival of the weekly briefing. The City was experiencing some technical problems on Friday that prevented us from using our email service.

Briefing No. 25
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project

August 12, 2011

Good afternoon,

With the archaeological work increasingly concentrated within the main discovery site between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets, a larger Strider crew was able to make some headway this week within Phase 1 and between Dock and Ireland Streets in Phase 2. Strider and City staff are still working together closely to assemble a project completion schedule. As soon as we have reliable information to report, it will be coming your way.

Also, you may be aware that there have been conflicting reports in the press and elsewhere concerning the ongoing archaeological investigation. As noted below, City staff are aware that additional human remains have been detected within four of the test pits and that the State’s Physical Anthropologist is investigating these remains. We will not discuss details about the character of these remains until we receive confirmation from the State, and as of today we have no further information on these additional discoveries. We encourage anyone with questions about the archaeological work to drop us a note or swing by the Project Office.

Construction Work

□ Strider and their subcontractors completed work on two tasks within Phase 1 – installation of the railing on the south side retaining wall just east of City Beach Street and asphalt patching in driveways and along curb lines. The schedule calls for the irrigation and landscaping contractors to arrive next week to complete irrigation testing and begin planting area preparation.

□ The remainder of the week was dedicated to preparing the sidewalk areas between Dock and City Beach Streets. This work including setting the remaining three Frontier Communications vaults, wiring and pouring the bases for the new street lights and leveling, smoothing and compacting the surface. In addition, thresholds in front of three shops were removed to allow grades to be matched with the new sidewalk. Strider’s 3-week schedule still has the sidewalk subcontractor arriving in town during the week of August 22.

□ Looking ahead to the week of August 22, in addition to sidewalks between Dock and Ireland, we should see progress on irrigation piping and testing, preparation for curb and gutter between Ilwaco and Midway and placement of additional vaults on the Midway Boulevard end of the project. Please note that no construction work will be scheduled for the Ilwaco to Ireland block until the archaeological work is complete.

The Archaeological Work

□ The City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), in cooperation with Tribal representatives, continues to work within the main discovery area. Additional human remains were recovered from within the spoils piles and were exposed within four of the test pits. In accordance with the City archaeological permit, the presence of human remains in the four test pits will trigger additional consultation with State and Tribal representatives to determine the next steps.

□ An archaeological monitor is in place whenever Strider or one of their contractors performs any excavation work. In addition, city and contracting staff have also been trained by NWAA and Tribal officials in the basics of archaeological law and reporting requirements.

Scheduled Gatherings/Events

AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week

PIGS ON PIONEER Sunday, August 14 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest – Judging at 2:00 pm
In conjunction with the Fidalgo Avenue Pig Roast

Key City Contact People

These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:

Larry Cort
Project Manager
360 914-7107
lcort@oakharbor.org

Joe Stowell
Project Engineer
360 279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org

Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360 914-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.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/


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Briefing No. 24
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project

August 4, 2011

Good afternoon,

As expected, the archaeological work began in earnest this week, both on the test probes outside of the Ilwaco-to-Ireland block and on the recovery work within the two spoils piles inside the enclosure. The work is progressing well and the expectation is that this work will be substantially complete in three to four weeks. As of this afternoon, no additional human remains have been detected outside the main discovery area. Many have asked us why the main discovery area is not open to view. Screening of work related to recovery of human remains and archaeological resources is common practice that reinforces the solemnity of the recovery process and allows Tribal members to handle ancestral remains in private. The City is respecting this practice.

See below for news on the renewed construction effort. Several of you have mentioned that it is encouraging to see the familiar Strider trucks back on Pioneer – we couldn’t agree more.

The Archaeological Work

□ The City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), is leading the testing and recovery work in association with interested Tribes. Depending on the extent of additional discoveries, the Pioneer Way archaeological work should be completed in less than a month.

□ For the project area west of Ireland Street and east of Ilwaco Street, the archaeologists are using shovel probes in all locations where additional underground work is required (tree wells, lightpoles, utility service connection trenches, irrigation service trenches and curbs). If no cultural resources are detected, work may proceed as designed. Should additional cultural materials or remains be found, there will be further consultation with the State and Tribes on how best to proceed. As of Thursday, this work has been completed to Dock Street and work is underway between Dock and Ireland.

□ For the primary discovery area between Ilwaco and Ireland Streets, the intensive testing protocol (test pits at one meter intervals) is on hold while NWAA and the Tribes conduct recovery work by screening the piles and removing human remains for re-burial. As soon as the recovery work is complete, the testing protocol will be implemented.

□ The State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation issued the second Excavation Permit today covering the spoils piles that were taken from Pioneer Way to a gravel pit north of the City.

Construction Work

□ Strider Construction resumed work in two places this week – forming a cap for the retaining wall across from Whidbey Coffee and installing railing on the south side retaining wall just east of City Beach Street.

□ The contractor will bring in a crew on Monday to complete preparation for filling the asphalt “gaps” in Phase 1. These gaps are mainly in evidence around the curbs and in driveways between City Beach Street and China Harbor Restaurant and the new paving will provide a smooth transition from the street to adjoining properties. Tentatively, the paving subcontractor, Lakeside Industries, will be in town next week to do the work. Completion of the Phase 1 irrigation in preparation for topsoil is also planned for next week.

□ Once the archaeologists have completed testing between Dock and Ireland Streets, Strider will complete preparation of the sidewalk areas, including installing and leveling the remaining vaults and cutting, smoothing and compacting the gravel base. Several thresholds will also be removed to insure a safe transition to businesses from the new sidewalks. Based on the information we have today, the sidewalk crew should be here during the week of August 22. We want to assure everyone that all possible avenues are being explored to complete this two-block section of sidewalks just as quickly as possible. This being prime construction season in the northwest, we have been especially impressed by the efforts being made by Strider and their subcontractors to find ways to return to Oak Harbor to complete the project.

Scheduled Gatherings/Events

AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week

FIRST FRIDAY Coming up again tomorrow, Friday, August 5 – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Art walk and late night shopping

PIGS ON PIONEER Sunday, August 14 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest – Judging at 2:00 pm
In conjunction with the Fidalgo Avenue Pig Roast

Key City Contact People

These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:

Larry Cort
Project Manager
360 914 7107
lcort@oakharbor.org

Joe Stowell
Project Engineer
360 279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org

Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360 914-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.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/