The Olympia City Council has approved two ordinances to fund projects related to active transportation, such as sidewalks, pathways, and bicycle infrastructure.
On Tuesday, December 12, the city council unanimously approved a sales tax increase of 0.1% and a code amendment relating to use of Transportation Benefit District funds.
According to Olympia Public Works Director Mark Russell, the 0.1% increase is expected to generate around $3.1 million annually for transportation improvements.
Russell said the Transportation Benefit District code amendment specifies that additional revenue derived from the increased sales tax shall be dedicated explicitly to the Capital Facilities Plan transportation programs – sidewalks and pathways, bicycle improvements, and access and safety improvements.
"We worked to revise this ordinance based on council feedback to make sure that we are honoring your intent on how you would like that new revenue to be spent," Russell told the councilmembers.
In the previous city council meeting, Interim Transportation Director Sophie Stimson identified the proposed allocation of funding:
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KarenM
This a great step forward for walking and cycling safety in Olympia. I am proud of the Council for adopting this dedicated tax. The community has repeatedly asked for more support for safe walking and cycling through surveys. This includes funding to hire a staff person so that they have the capacity to prepare and implement projects. The neighborhoods have been asking for more attention to sidewalks and this will help. Our Comprehensive Plan has long had many goals and policies pointing to a future city that is safe and inviting for walking and cycling. This will move us closer to those aspirations.
Thursday, December 14, 2023 Report this
Southsoundguy
Nobody asked for this except a handful of loud burned out liberal hippies. Just take more of our money and light it on fire, it would have the same net effect.
Friday, December 15, 2023 Report this
KarenM
Yes, many people did ask for this. Survey after survey the responses indicate that people want safer walking and cycling conditions. Walking is the NUMBER ONE form of exercise, hands down (or really feet down) above any others.
Separate from what people are asking for, the deaths from traffic incidents involving people who are walking and cycling is going up in the US. Meanwhile in every other developed country the death rates are going down.
On a more positive note, walking in your neighborhood is the way we get to know each other. You cannot say hello or get to know your neighbor through a windshield.
Walking is good for our physical and mental health. The streets in our city should be safe and welcoming for walking and cycling.
Friday, December 15, 2023 Report this
Larry Dzieza
Kudus to the council for taking action and setting a course for a better, more accessible and walkable community.
Friday, December 15, 2023 Report this
jimlazar
This action was in response to recommendations by the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, the Olympia Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and the Olympia Planning Commission. All urged the City to invest in walking and cycling facilities.
This will pay big dividends in the future.
I'm often a critic of this City Council. In this case, they responded to the public and took an action that will make our community a better place to live, work, play, raise families, and help us address the need to reduce dependence on motor vehicles.
Bravo!
Friday, December 15, 2023 Report this
MartyKenney
I'm happy that the council is listening to the will of the people, it sounds like some other commenters are well aware of the citizens push for this.
I do however have to laugh at the irony, two days ago an article describing how intercity transit is spending $14.5 Million on two new busses, but the city has to tax us in order to make better sidewalks.
What I would love to see is a creative approach to lower cost sidewalks. A decade ago Seattle invited input on what kind of sidewalks the people desire. A balance between low cost and effective is the answer. They dont all need to be Cadillac walkways. So... Can we design cheaper sidewalks? or are the concrete guys gonna walk away the big winners here?
Friday, December 15, 2023 Report this
CrabbyWill
Does this mean that they will be putting in sidewalks on all those streets that have intermittent sidewalks? Those have to be a nightmare for people with special needs.
Friday, December 15, 2023 Report this
KarenM
I agree that the city should look at creative ways to provide safe walking. Concrete sidewalks are the standards but there certainly may be situations where something different can work. Because of storm water needs, pervious concrete or asphalt could save on those costs.
There could also be some work done on re-gaining access to sidewalks in areas where they exist, but people are parking on them. This typically happens where there is no curb.
Now that there is a funding stream I hope the city will move quickly on some high impact projects and at the same time, work on some of the policy issues that need resolving.
Friday, December 15, 2023 Report this
JW
There need to be safer options for the transients to wheel their stolen bicycles and carts full of shoplifted merchandise down. Bravo!
Saturday, December 16, 2023 Report this
KurtWochholz
That's 1 penny for every $10.00. Thank you City Council. WHEN does this take effect?
Saturday, December 16, 2023 Report this