Active Updated

pedestrian crossings

Where and how people cross streets safely, including crosswalks and signals.

Whether Riverside Foods submits a written request and justification, and whether staff brings back any formal criteria for when a mid-block crossing is allowed.

Typically discussed at Public Works Committee. Check back when the next agenda is published.

The latest push is a request tied to Wilson Street: Riverside Foods asked about a marked mid-block crossing between 25th and 26th. City staff told the Public Works Committee the city doesn’t have a set playbook for mid-block crossings and said the usual safety answer is “no” unless a written request and justification comes in.

  1. Staff reported WDOT was reviewing lane-width issues on the Washington Street Bridge.

    Public Works Committee
  2. Staff reported they were studying vehicle speeds on Memorial Drive while deciding between speed-reduction options or returning to an earlier RRFB plan at key crossings.

    Public Works Committee
  3. Commissioners discussed concerns that fences built close to sidewalks can reduce visibility when drivers back out of driveways.

    Plan Commission
  4. Commissioners noted the ordinance does not require a front-yard fence setback except in specific vision-clearance areas (such as corner lots).

    Plan Commission
  5. Commissioners expressed interest in changing the ordinance to require fences to be at least 3 feet back from sidewalks.

    Plan Commission
  6. Riverside Foods asked about adding a marked mid-block pedestrian crossing on Wilson Street between 25th and 26th.

    Public Works Committee
  7. Staff said the city has no formal policy for mid-block crossing requests and that the typical professional answer is “no” due to safety concerns; Riverside Foods was told to submit a formal written request and justification for consideration.

    Public Works Committee
  8. The committee discussed, as a hypothetical long-term idea, that vacating that block of Wilson Street could be considered someday, but not now due to multiple property owners and possible utilities in the right-of-way.

    Public Works Committee