Latest news with #LoopTrail
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Section of Five Mile Drive closing for construction at Point Defiance Park
Construction is about to begin on a paved trail at Point Defiance Park that will separate pedestrians and cyclists from cars. Parks Tacoma says the second phase of the Loop Trail project will begin in May. As a result, the entry to Five Mile Drive from the turn at Waterfront Drive up to Animal Loop Road will be closed to vehicles for one year. A non-paved detour will be provided for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project will create 1.6 miles of trail apart from the roadway to connect visitors to Wilson Way Bridge, the Pagoda, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Environmental Learning Center and Owen Beach. All park destinations will remain open. Parks Tacoma says drivers wanting to access the Lodge, Pagoda, gardens, and marina will use the Pearl Street entrance. Those wanting to visit Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Owen Beach, Fort Nisqually, and the Outer Loop of Five Mile Drive will need to use the Mildred Street entrance. 'We know the road detour is an inconvenience, but we're committed to providing multi-modal links to improve connectivity, safety, and accessibility between major destinations within Point Defiance Park,' said Park Board President Andrea Smith. 'The community has been wanting this for years, and we're excited to deliver on a long-held goal.' Point Defiance Park draws more than 3 million visitors every year. In 2016, the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office awarded Parks Tacoma a $3.25 million grant to move forward with the Loop Trail. The first phase was completed in 2023 and included a new sidewalk and improvements to Park Avenue west of the Mildred Street entrance roundabout. It also paved the top of Trolley Lane trail leading north from the roundabout to the Japanese Garden, featuring a small plaza at the entry of Wilson Way Bridge and a safer pedestrian road crossing near the garden. There is no exact date in May for when this second phase will begin.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
82 homes coming to Monroe after council reverses vote, approves development
Feb. 12—This time there were no surprises. Two weeks after Monroe City Council rejected a major housing development — one city official said he was "caught off guard" by the vote — council approved development plans for the 82 single-family housing property called Townes at Monroe Crossings. Two weeks ago, two of the five council members present voted against authorizing City Manager Larry Lester entering into an amended Planned Unit Development agreement with NVR Inc. for approximately 21 acres located at Roden Park Drive and Crossings Boulevard. But on Tuesday night, with City Council member Michael Graves, who voted against the plans earlier, excused from the meeting, the legislation passed 5-1. Council member Tom Hagedorn, who voted "no" two weeks ago, again rejected the ordinance. Hagedorn has said he didn't feel the development was "a good fit for the area" and said residents have expressed concerns about excessive traffic in that area. Several people representing NVR left council chambers after the ordinance passed. Two weeks ago, Monroe's Director of Development Tom Smith said he was "caught off guard" by the no votes. The plans were passed 4-1 late last year by the Planning Commission. Mayor Keith Funk has said he wants to see "a successful project there." Council OKs design services for $93K Council also approved a resolution authorizing Lester to enter into a professional services agreement between the city and Fishbeck for the Bicentennial Commons Park Loop Trail and the Great Miami River Trail extension. The agreement calls to pay Fishbeck $93,400 for design services related to the Bicentennial Commons Park multi-use loop trail project. Public Works Director Gary Morton said the proposed trail will follow the existing perimeter loop trail alignment and start to connect to the Great Miami River Trail system. The city is pursuing funding through ODOT's new Pedestrian & Bicycle Special Solicitation program, launched in early 2025, for two significant trail projects: Bicentennial Commons Park Loop Trail and Great Miami River Trail extension that includes approximately two miles of new trail construction, city leaders said. The proposed timeline indicates completion of design services within 10 months of notice to proceed, with 50% plans due June 1, 2025 and 100% plans due Nov. 1, 2025. Morton said once the trail is complete it will stretch from Sidney to Cincinnati. He believes Monroe will provide the "final piece" to that connection.
