State grant on hold for better planning

A Grand Coulee project that started as a sidewalk down Spokane Way, and then changed to a sidewalk down Federal Avenue, is on hold, for the prospects of something better.

Public works director Dennis Francis told the city council at its June 4 meeting that the state’s Transportation Improvement Board suggested that the city come up with a more comprehensive plan to enhance the community, and that the $215,000 grant that had been OK’d for the Spokane Way sidewalk project would be put on hold.

The city changed the original plan to build the sidewalk on Spokane Way, since Center School will no longer be open after the new K-12 school project is completed in the fall of 2014. That sidewalk was designed to serve those walking to the school.

The city then proposed to the TIB that the grant funds be used to improve sidewalks on Federal Way.

While that project would benefit those who walk to the central city to shop, the TIB suggested that the money be used as part of a more comprehensive plan of what officials have envisioned for the city.

Francis said that he is preparing an overall aerial map of the city which could be used to develop a comprehensive plan and that there would still be time to do that while the grant funds are on hold.

The council also has come up with a questionnaire asking residents what they would like to see in such categories as streets, sidewalks, zoning, the city’s overall looks, parks, law enforcement, fire department, and city nuisance enforcement.