The Pioneer Park Pedestrian Improvements Project is now complete, providing significant enhancements to pedestrian and bicycle safety in the area!
As part of the final work, Division Street was restriped to add bike lanes for safe travel to the park and improved connectivity to Alder Street, a feature the community requested during the 2023 public involvement process.
The majority of construction was completed in 2024, featuring the installation of new sidewalks along the north side of Whitman Street adjacent to Pioneer Park and the addition of ADA-compliant ramps at the Whitman/Division, Lincoln/Division, and Newell/Division intersections. Other safety enhancements include the addition of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing (RRFB) pedestrian crossing beacon at Whitman/Division, driver speed feedback signs on Division, and a reduced speed limit for Division.
The Whitman Street IRRP portion of the project reconstructed the street and installed a new water main, sewer main, and storm infrastructure on Whitman from Division to Fern.
The project details were shaped by extensive community input, with feedback gathered through public open houses, surveys, advisory board presentations, and City Council work sessions. Residents, neighborhood groups, and accessibility advocates provided input on priorities such as pedestrian connectivity, ADA accessibility, speed management, traffic calming, bike lane safety, and infrastructure improvements.
This collaboration ensured the final design reflected the neighborhood and community vision, improved safety for all users, and supported long-term infrastructure improvements.
Project Timeline and Input Period
The project was guided by the multi-year public engagement process, incorporating the feedback received from residents and stakeholders.
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The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee provided input and feedback on the project during 14 meetings between 2022 and 2024.
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Feb. 7, 2022 – Presentation to the Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry Advisory Board
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Jan. 9, 2023 – City Council work session
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March 23, 2023 – Public open house #1 at the Pioneer Park Garden Center. presenting initial concepts and gathering feedback
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May 17, 2023 – Presentation to the Accessible Communities Advisory Committee
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May 18, 2023 – Public open house #2 at the Pioneer Park Garden Center: Shared updated designs and collected additional input.
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July 10, 2023 – Council work session: Topics included background and history of the project, a summary of the public outreach performed, a summary of public input received, and the recommended alternative for the Division and Whitman intersection.
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July 12, 2023 – Council meeting: Council adopted the preferred alternative that included curb extensions/bulb-outs and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) at the Division/Whitman intersection and crosswalk enhancements at the intersection.
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October 2023 – An online survey was conducted requesting public feedback on the alternatives. Additionally, input was sought from both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) as well as the Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry Advisory Board (PRUFAB). Both groups unanimously recommended that bike lanes be implemented on Division Street.
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Nov. 12, 2023 – Council work session
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May 2024 – Bid award for construction
The final design reflects years of collaboration and will make these sections of roadways and infrastructure safer and more dependable for decades to come.
Thank you to the residents and committee members for sharing feedback along the way, and to the neighbors near the project area for your patience as crews carried out the work and addressed unexpected challenges.
    
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