Parkway extension starts soon

A plan for a new park along the Powder River, between Valley Avenue and Washington Street, still is in the works, according to Jennifer Watkins, assistant city manager and project developer. Also the smaller park on Court Street between Main and Resort streets is in planning stages. (Baker City Herald/S. John Collins)

Jennifer Watkins, assistant city manager, told members of the Rotary Club of Baker County Monday that nearly $9.5 million in federal and state grants, as well as donations from charitable groups, have all come together to allow the city to complete or break ground on several projects.

That $9.5 million includes money for a trio of projects that were done last summer, including the extension of D Street across the Powder River and improvements to the Dewey Avenue underpass.

This year the city’s focus is on connecting two sections of the Leo Adler Memorial Parkway, the pedestrian path along the Powder River, Watkins said.

She told the Rotarians that a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled April 5 for the Parkway extension between Washington Avenue and Madison Street at Geiser-Pollman Park.

The Washington Avenue bridge over the Powder will be modified to better accommodate foot and bicycle traffic, Watkins said.

The city acquired and removed two houses, and negotiated agreements with Del’s and other property owners between Washington and Madison.

“We took out two houses, one on Madison and one on Broadway,” Watkins said. Both houses were removed last fall. 

The city has received a $500,000 federal grant, enough to start construction on a new park between the river and Resort Street, and between Valley and Washington avenues.

The total estimated cost for the park is $1 million.

Watkins said the park, on a 2-acre property the city bought about 10 years ago, doesn’t have an official name yet.

The city did have a naming contest last year, and “Queen City Park” was the winner.

But several people have questioned the relevance of that name, Watkins said.

“It goes way back, when we were Queen City of the Mines,” she said.

During Monday’s meeting, Rotarians raised questions about the name and whether there was any chance of naming the new park in honor of the Rotary, if the club took on a major role in funding and developing the park.

Watkins had no firm answer, but she said the city welcomes any help the Rotary Club wants to provide, such as getting together with the city tree board to follow up on Lloyd Nelson’s suggestion that the club plant trees in the park as a project.

Watkins also suggested the Rotary Club put together a proposal and pitch it to the City Council.

Plans for the central park include construction of an amphitheater, which Watkins said “will be available for any group for events, with reservations.”

A fountain and water play area are also included in the current draft design, Watkins said.

She pointed out that another local group is raising money to build a bandstand in Geiser-Pollman Park.

Besides the Parkway extension and park construction, the city’s plan to rebuild Resort Street downtown is set to begin this spring, including widening sidewalks, installing benches and landscaping.

The city is also working on a design for the proposed Court Street plaza, and trying to raise money for the project.

The idea is to close Court between Main and Resort, and use the plaza as a corridor linking the downtown district with the new central park and the Adler Parkway.

The list of projects done last year or planned for this year includes:

• Leo Adler Memorial Parkway, total project cost is $1,498,984, including $98,000 in city funds and $1,400,984 in grant money. Design and first phase started in 1993, and planning began in 2003 for the current phase between Washington and Valley avenues scheduled for groundbreaking April 5.

• Central Park, Phase I, total project cost is $523,717, including $72,000 in city funds and $451,717 in grants. Planning began in 2003 and groundbreaking is scheduled this spring.

• D Street rebuild was completed last fall at a total cost of $2,137,143, including $566,000 in city funds and $1,571,143 in grants.

• Birch Street paving, total project cost about $500,000, all grants.

• Dewey Avenue underpass, total cost $1.4 million, all grants.

• Elkhorn View Industrial Park rail spur switch, total cost $250,000, including $50,000 in city funds and $200,000 in grants.

• Industrial Park street construction, total cost $560,000, all grants started in 2003 and groundbreaking is planned later this year.

• Resort Street improvements, total cost is $2,234,325, all grants.

Watkins said the grant funds cover the street and sidewalk improvements, but not moving or burying power lines and other utilities. The city is seeking grants for all or part of that work.

• Best Frontage Road, Phase I improvements, total cost is $2,265,576, all grants. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.