Consultants with RDG Planning and Design made a presentation to the Pella City Council about the upcoming downtown Streetscape project at this evening meeting.

They unveiled the proposed overall concept for the project, including which streets will be replaced, key recommendations for design and what to include, initial cost estimates, and the phasing of the overall timeline. RDG discussed findings collected during numerous public engagement events, including a visual preference survey–which had over 500 participants, and design studio open sessions held this summer.

What will be replaced:
– Portions Washington, Franklin, Main, East 2nd, Broadway
– Most parking will remain, as will two-way traffic (95% of parking will be replaced in the new streets, with numerous crosswalks being shortened and enhanced with safety features, thus eliminating some of the spots)
– Most streets will be new brick, including Washington, Franklin, Broadway, and Main

Details were released about overall phasing for construction, with the first four scheduled to occur from 2019 to 2022 and costing an estimated $10.2 million dollars. The first phases would include Oostpoort Alleyway (2019), Franklin (2020), Broadway/Franklin (2021), and Main Streets (2022). Work on Washington Street, Broadway south of Franklin, East 1st, and East 2nd Street would constitute phases five through eight and cost an additional $6.5 million, to be completed at a time to be determined.

Many of the council members had discussion and questions about potential public restroom facilities, including Lynn Branderhorst, Mark DeJong, Bruce Schiebout, and Larry Peterson, which will be addressed at further meetings and planning.

The group of consultants is approximately 80 percent complete with the planning process. A public open house will be held on Thursday, October 25th from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with everyone invited to view specifics of the proposal and give feedback. All plans are considered unofficial until they are approved by the Pella City Council.