City's project wish list

The Shelton City Council wants local legislative representatives to pursue money for a homeless mitigation site, a roundabout, a crosstown trail and other capital projects when the Legislature convenes next month in Olympia.

On Tuesday evening, the council gave preliminary approval to its wish list of capital projects at its regular meeting in the Shelton Civic Center. A final vote is Dec. 17.

The requests include $2 million for a homeless mitigation site in partnership with local nonprofits, $2.5 million for a roundabout at Wallace Kneeland Boulevard and 13th Street, $4 million for the Mountain View water pressure zone and $3.5 million for the 1.5-mile multimodal trail from the Western Gateway to the Oakland Bay Marina.

The list will be sent to state Reps. Dan Griffey and Travis Couture, both Republicans from Allyn, and state Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton.

The requests for money would be funded through earmarks in the state capital or transportation budgets.

In its $2-million request for a homeless mitigation site, the list states, “It is imperative for the City to begin addressing the homelessness crisis within the Shelton corporate limits, and in the surrounding community. Construction of a mitigation site to house the homeless population, and potential future supportive services including addiction and mental health counseling services.” The city would partner with local nonprofit groups. The city lists other funding sources as staff time and a potential land donation.

The request for $3 million would go toward the construction of a 1.5-mile multimodal path through the city from Oakland Bay Marina to U.S. Highway 101 using the old Simpson Timber Railroad right of way, which was donated to the city. The money would provide a paved 14-foot-wide path with seating, lighting and amenities. The design is already underway from a state allotment and state Department of Transportation money. Some construction money will be required, the city states.

The city reports traffic volumes warrant improvements and/or intersection reconfigurations at 13th Street and Wallace Kneeland Boulevard “to prepare for substantial and increased growth on the north side of the city.” A roundabout would cost $4.7 million and the city already has $500,000 in city impact fees, $1 million from a 2024 legislative grant and $650,000 from a 2019 legislative grant.

Other capital funding requests for infrastructure projects include $4.5 million for other Wallace Kneeland Boulevard improvements, $4 million for the Angleside Pressure Zone Reservoir No. 2, $17.2 million for satellite wastewater treatment plant upgrades, $1.5 million for a new municipal well No. 5, and $8 million for a Johns Prairie sewer extension and regional lift station.

The city is also asking for community and economic development money for community and economic development projects, with no specific dollar request, for affordable housing and the redevelopment of derelict properties.