Briefing No. 23
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 29, 2011
Good morning,
It has been a few weeks since we have been able to lead with positive news! At 5:27 pm yesterday afternoon, six weeks to the day after the exposure of human remains, the City received its Archaeological Excavation Permit for the Pioneer Way site. The nature of the work to be performed under the permit includes “testing, boundary delineation, recovery of four partially in-situ burials, and screening of piles for human remains, grave goods and artifacts.” Archaeological work should begin early next week – see below for some details on this effort.
Having the permit in hand is obviously very good news for the project and the City has asked Strider Construction to prepare a new construction schedule and begin the process of re-mobilizing crews, equipment and subcontractors. While we are all anxious to have Strider back and working as quickly as possible, it will not happen overnight. People may see some activity start next week – such as installation of railings on the retaining walls – but it will likely take the better part of two weeks for major street and sidewalk work to begin. We will know more next week once Strider delivers a revised schedule and the initial archaeological probes have been completed.
The Archaeological Work
□ The City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), will lead 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 will take several days to perform test probes using shovels 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, construction 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.
□ For the primary discovery area between Ilwaco and Ireland Streets, there will be an intensive testing protocol (test pits at one meter intervals) in those locations where additional excavation needs to occur in order to build the street. As above, negative findings will allow work to move forward with an archaeological monitor, positive findings will require additional consultation. Also in this area, NWAA, in cooperation with the Tribes, will conduct recovery work by screening the piles and removing human remains for re-burial.
□ Next week, the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation expects to issue the second Excavation Permit covering the spoils piles that were taken from Pioneer Way to a gravel pit north of the City.
Scheduled Gatherings
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 on 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/
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Construction Alert No. 15
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 27, 2011
Meeting Between State, Tribal, City Officials Yields Positive Results
Yesterday, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the agency with responsibility to review, issue and manage archaeological permits in Washington, convened a meeting with representatives of DAHP, consulting Tribes and the City. After more than four hours of productive discussion, all parties emerged with agreement on a clear blueprint for moving forward with the City’s two archaeological permits. The Assistant State Archaeologist drafted the Pioneer Way permit this morning and has distributed it for comments to consulting Tribes. In a conversation this morning, we learned that DAHP expects to issue the first permit, covering Pioneer Way, either tomorrow or early next week. The permit covering the pit site should follow shortly thereafter.
While much of the discussion was quite detailed, there were two overarching themes that emerged. First, there was a strong interest amongst all parties to move ahead as swiftly as possible with recovery and re-burial of the disturbed human remains. Second, everyone around the table concurred that the current condition of the Pioneer Way project site presents some real concerns with respect to pedestrian and vehicular safety. The archaeological work authorized by the permits will be responsive to these two themes. Except for the immediate discovery area (approximately between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets), sampling for additional archaeological resources will occur only in those locations where further ground disturbance is necessary (such as tree locations, small utility boxes, and power and water connections to streetlights).
Obviously, this is potentially very good news for the project schedule. If the sampling work outside of the primary discovery area results in no new discoveries, then construction can resume over most of the project very soon. City staff will be meeting tomorrow with Strider Construction to put together a plan for bringing crews, equipment and subcontractors back into town once we get a green light.
Key City Contact People
Larry Cort
Project Manager
360-914-7107
lcort@oakharbor.org
Joe Stowell Rhonda Severns
City Engineer
360-279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org
Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360-914-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.org
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 27, 2011
Meeting Between State, Tribal, City Officials Yields Positive Results
Yesterday, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the agency with responsibility to review, issue and manage archaeological permits in Washington, convened a meeting with representatives of DAHP, consulting Tribes and the City. After more than four hours of productive discussion, all parties emerged with agreement on a clear blueprint for moving forward with the City’s two archaeological permits. The Assistant State Archaeologist drafted the Pioneer Way permit this morning and has distributed it for comments to consulting Tribes. In a conversation this morning, we learned that DAHP expects to issue the first permit, covering Pioneer Way, either tomorrow or early next week. The permit covering the pit site should follow shortly thereafter.
While much of the discussion was quite detailed, there were two overarching themes that emerged. First, there was a strong interest amongst all parties to move ahead as swiftly as possible with recovery and re-burial of the disturbed human remains. Second, everyone around the table concurred that the current condition of the Pioneer Way project site presents some real concerns with respect to pedestrian and vehicular safety. The archaeological work authorized by the permits will be responsive to these two themes. Except for the immediate discovery area (approximately between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets), sampling for additional archaeological resources will occur only in those locations where further ground disturbance is necessary (such as tree locations, small utility boxes, and power and water connections to streetlights).
Obviously, this is potentially very good news for the project schedule. If the sampling work outside of the primary discovery area results in no new discoveries, then construction can resume over most of the project very soon. City staff will be meeting tomorrow with Strider Construction to put together a plan for bringing crews, equipment and subcontractors back into town once we get a green light.
Key City Contact People
Larry Cort
Project Manager
360-914-7107
lcort@oakharbor.org
Joe Stowell Rhonda Severns
City Engineer
360-279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org
Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360-914-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.org
Friday, July 22, 2011
Construction Alert No. 14
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 21, 2011
City, Tribes, State Scheduled to Meet Next Week
The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the agency with responsibility to review, issue and manage archaeological permits in Washington, will convene a meeting next week with representatives of DAHP, consulting Tribes and the City. Originally scheduled for late this week, the meeting was moved to accommodate scheduling conflicts. The main topic of the discussion will be Oak Harbor’s two Emergency Archaeological Excavation Permit applications – one for the Pioneer Way project area and one for the gravel pit north of town where the excavated materials were taken. The permits cover boundary delineation of the archaeological site, recovery of disturbed ancestral remains and a plan for the ultimate disposition of those remains.
We can also provide an update on our request to the State to allow some limited placement of gravel to make the sidewalks and curb transitions safer for pedestrians. There are continuing concerns that this work could cause additional ground disturbances prior to the subsurface materials sampling effort that will determine the extent of the archaeological site. That said, there is recognition that site safety is also essential so the City has been asked to provide additional details on the methods and equipment to be used in performing this work. We expect to have this information back to the State on Monday.
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
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 21, 2011
City, Tribes, State Scheduled to Meet Next Week
The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the agency with responsibility to review, issue and manage archaeological permits in Washington, will convene a meeting next week with representatives of DAHP, consulting Tribes and the City. Originally scheduled for late this week, the meeting was moved to accommodate scheduling conflicts. The main topic of the discussion will be Oak Harbor’s two Emergency Archaeological Excavation Permit applications – one for the Pioneer Way project area and one for the gravel pit north of town where the excavated materials were taken. The permits cover boundary delineation of the archaeological site, recovery of disturbed ancestral remains and a plan for the ultimate disposition of those remains.
We can also provide an update on our request to the State to allow some limited placement of gravel to make the sidewalks and curb transitions safer for pedestrians. There are continuing concerns that this work could cause additional ground disturbances prior to the subsurface materials sampling effort that will determine the extent of the archaeological site. That said, there is recognition that site safety is also essential so the City has been asked to provide additional details on the methods and equipment to be used in performing this work. We expect to have this information back to the State on Monday.
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, July 15, 2011
Briefing No. 22
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 15, 2011
Good afternoon,
While the news from the construction front is unfortunately very slim indeed this week (notwithstanding site maintenance and our ongoing efforts to work with the State to make the site safer and more pedestrian-friendly), there have been a few tentative steps in a positive direction with respect to our archaeological permits. The following describes the highlights:
□ The tribal comment period for the City’s Emergency Excavation Permit for Pioneer Way closed on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Four tribes (Swinomish, Tulalip, Suquamish and Samish) supplied written comments and these submittals are now under review by the permitting agency, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). Once approved, this permit will allow the City’s consulting archaeologist to move forward with sampling to determine the size of the site and with sifting of the spoils piles inside the securing fencing between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets.
□ On Thursday of this week, the DAHP scheduled a meeting for next Thursday, July 21, 2001, between representatives of their office, interested tribal representatives and City officials. This meeting will focus on issues raised during the tribal comment period, specifically if or how these comments might be incorporated into our permit. The DAHP has not been able to provide us with a timeframe for when our permit might be issued.
□ Also on Tuesday, the City submitted the second Emergency Excavation Permit covering the spoils piles that were taken from Pioneer Way to a gravel pit north of the City. This application was distributed by DAHP to the tribal communities on Wednesday with a suggested comment deadline of today, July 15. The option was left open for any tribe to request an extension to the comment period.
□ Based on the permit review process, the City extended the temporary suspension of Strider’s contract for another week, through July 25, 2011. We remain in almost daily contact with the contractor.
Finally, the City Council on Tuesday re-authorized monies that can be used for construction-related support for the downtown business community. City staff are working closely with the Downtown Merchant’s Association to find the highest value use of these dollars in ways that also pass muster with the State Auditor’s Office. Many thanks to one and all who have been a part of refining and extending this effort.
Scheduled Gatherings (on as usual!)
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
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 Art Project Blog - http://cohpioneerwayart.blogspot.com/
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 15, 2011
Good afternoon,
While the news from the construction front is unfortunately very slim indeed this week (notwithstanding site maintenance and our ongoing efforts to work with the State to make the site safer and more pedestrian-friendly), there have been a few tentative steps in a positive direction with respect to our archaeological permits. The following describes the highlights:
□ The tribal comment period for the City’s Emergency Excavation Permit for Pioneer Way closed on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Four tribes (Swinomish, Tulalip, Suquamish and Samish) supplied written comments and these submittals are now under review by the permitting agency, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). Once approved, this permit will allow the City’s consulting archaeologist to move forward with sampling to determine the size of the site and with sifting of the spoils piles inside the securing fencing between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets.
□ On Thursday of this week, the DAHP scheduled a meeting for next Thursday, July 21, 2001, between representatives of their office, interested tribal representatives and City officials. This meeting will focus on issues raised during the tribal comment period, specifically if or how these comments might be incorporated into our permit. The DAHP has not been able to provide us with a timeframe for when our permit might be issued.
□ Also on Tuesday, the City submitted the second Emergency Excavation Permit covering the spoils piles that were taken from Pioneer Way to a gravel pit north of the City. This application was distributed by DAHP to the tribal communities on Wednesday with a suggested comment deadline of today, July 15. The option was left open for any tribe to request an extension to the comment period.
□ Based on the permit review process, the City extended the temporary suspension of Strider’s contract for another week, through July 25, 2011. We remain in almost daily contact with the contractor.
Finally, the City Council on Tuesday re-authorized monies that can be used for construction-related support for the downtown business community. City staff are working closely with the Downtown Merchant’s Association to find the highest value use of these dollars in ways that also pass muster with the State Auditor’s Office. Many thanks to one and all who have been a part of refining and extending this effort.
Scheduled Gatherings (on as usual!)
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
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 Art Project Blog - http://cohpioneerwayart.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 8, 2011
Briefing No. 21
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 7, 2011
Good afternoon,
As reported in last week’s briefing, Strider Construction’s work on the Pioneer Way project has been suspended at least until July 18, 2011, with further work subject to authorization from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). People may still catch an occasional glimpse of a Strider crew member, either helping to maintain the project site or doing work that does not involve excavation, filling or adding impervious cover. Most of the equipment has also been temporarily removed pending approval to move forward. We continue to be appreciative of Strider’s cooperative and reasonable attitude since the human remains discovery on June 16, 2011.
Unfortunately, we are no closer to being able to answer the “when will construction resume” question. The Emergency Archaeological Excavation Permit application was submitted on June 27 and distributed by DAHP to interested tribes on June 28 with a one-week comment period. This comment period has since been extended to next Tuesday, July 12. The Excavation Permit is a prerequisite for any work involving site testing (to determine the extent of the archaeological resources) or excavation (dealing directly with the discovery area between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets). City officials continue to work closely with State and Tribal authorities on all matters related to the discovery. Certainly, if we hear anything definitive from DAHP regarding our permit, we will get the word out as quickly as possible.
Dust Control
Since it appears that warmer, drier days are upon us and with Strider’s construction efforts mostly suspended, the City will be assuming interim dust control responsibilities east of Dock Street. In the short term, the Public Works crew will be watering the street but we are investigating the application of a lignin-based product that is used commonly throughout this area for water-soluble, environmentally sustainable dust suppression. It is applied in liquid form, takes about 3-4 hours to dry and should last as much as two weeks before re-application. We will let you know via a Construction Alert if and when this option is exercised.
Scheduled Gatherings (on as usual!)
AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup and pastry, hear the latest about the project
Key City Contact People
These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:
Larry Cort
Project Manager
lcort@oakharbor.org
360-914-7107
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/
Pioneer Way Art Project Blog - http://cohpioneerwayart.blogspot.com/
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 7, 2011
Good afternoon,
As reported in last week’s briefing, Strider Construction’s work on the Pioneer Way project has been suspended at least until July 18, 2011, with further work subject to authorization from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). People may still catch an occasional glimpse of a Strider crew member, either helping to maintain the project site or doing work that does not involve excavation, filling or adding impervious cover. Most of the equipment has also been temporarily removed pending approval to move forward. We continue to be appreciative of Strider’s cooperative and reasonable attitude since the human remains discovery on June 16, 2011.
Unfortunately, we are no closer to being able to answer the “when will construction resume” question. The Emergency Archaeological Excavation Permit application was submitted on June 27 and distributed by DAHP to interested tribes on June 28 with a one-week comment period. This comment period has since been extended to next Tuesday, July 12. The Excavation Permit is a prerequisite for any work involving site testing (to determine the extent of the archaeological resources) or excavation (dealing directly with the discovery area between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets). City officials continue to work closely with State and Tribal authorities on all matters related to the discovery. Certainly, if we hear anything definitive from DAHP regarding our permit, we will get the word out as quickly as possible.
Dust Control
Since it appears that warmer, drier days are upon us and with Strider’s construction efforts mostly suspended, the City will be assuming interim dust control responsibilities east of Dock Street. In the short term, the Public Works crew will be watering the street but we are investigating the application of a lignin-based product that is used commonly throughout this area for water-soluble, environmentally sustainable dust suppression. It is applied in liquid form, takes about 3-4 hours to dry and should last as much as two weeks before re-application. We will let you know via a Construction Alert if and when this option is exercised.
Scheduled Gatherings (on as usual!)
AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup and pastry, hear the latest about the project
Key City Contact People
These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:
Larry Cort
Project Manager
lcort@oakharbor.org
360-914-7107
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/
Pioneer Way Art Project Blog - http://cohpioneerwayart.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 1, 2011
Briefing No. 20
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 1, 2011
Good afternoon,
As noted in a recent Construction Alert, the State’s June 23, 2011 order to cease work on any activity involving excavation, filling or placement of impervious surfaces left very little work for Strider to do. The State did make an exception to allow utility trenching work on Dock Street between Pioneer Way and Bayshore Drive subject to monitoring by an archaeologist. This work was completed on Thursday. In addition, the City requested permission to bring in small amounts of gravel fill to make pedestrian travel safer. The State agreed to allow this activity so long as the amount of fill was kept to what was characterized as “wheel barrow-sized amounts.” No other work is authorized at the moment with the exception of dust abatement which will continue twice each day during the holiday weekend and beyond.
Looking ahead, we are waiting on word from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation regarding the City’s application for an Emergency Excavation Permit. While we have no specific information about when work can proceed, it is reasonable to expect that Strider will not be able to re-start major construction until at least July 18, 2011. Consequently, we have asked the contractor to suspend work until that date to avoid at least some of the costs associated with having crews and equipment on standby. Once we get the green light to continue construction, Strider will re-mobilize as quickly as possible to get the project moving again.
We wish everyone a festive Fourth of July holiday!
Scheduled Gatherings (on as usual!)
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
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/
Pioneer Way Art Project Blog - http://cohpioneerwayart.blogspot.com/
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project
July 1, 2011
Good afternoon,
As noted in a recent Construction Alert, the State’s June 23, 2011 order to cease work on any activity involving excavation, filling or placement of impervious surfaces left very little work for Strider to do. The State did make an exception to allow utility trenching work on Dock Street between Pioneer Way and Bayshore Drive subject to monitoring by an archaeologist. This work was completed on Thursday. In addition, the City requested permission to bring in small amounts of gravel fill to make pedestrian travel safer. The State agreed to allow this activity so long as the amount of fill was kept to what was characterized as “wheel barrow-sized amounts.” No other work is authorized at the moment with the exception of dust abatement which will continue twice each day during the holiday weekend and beyond.
Looking ahead, we are waiting on word from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation regarding the City’s application for an Emergency Excavation Permit. While we have no specific information about when work can proceed, it is reasonable to expect that Strider will not be able to re-start major construction until at least July 18, 2011. Consequently, we have asked the contractor to suspend work until that date to avoid at least some of the costs associated with having crews and equipment on standby. Once we get the green light to continue construction, Strider will re-mobilize as quickly as possible to get the project moving again.
We wish everyone a festive Fourth of July holiday!
Scheduled Gatherings (on as usual!)
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
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/
Pioneer Way Art Project Blog - http://cohpioneerwayart.blogspot.com/
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