On Thursday, April 9, the Ridgefield City Council approved a construction contract for improvements to the Gee Creek Loop area, advancing a project focused on safety upgrades and stormwater mitigation.
The council unanimously awarded the contract to North Cascade Excavating for $755,101.40, with an additional $100,000 in contingency funds for a total of $855,101.40. Notably, the bid came in well below the engineer’s estimate of just over $1 million.
“I am just curious, engineer’s estimate was just (a) pinch over $1 million,” Councilmember Rian Davis noted during the Thursday meeting. “We’re at about 75% of that. Is that the same scope, or are we just in a good spot?”
“We are in a very good spot,” Public Works Infrastructure Deputy Director Miranda Lange replied. “I think contractors are hungry, (that's) what's going on right now.”
The project targets long-standing flooding issues affecting private properties uphill of the Gee Creek Loop development. Stormwater runoff has historically bypassed an inadequate outflow structure, sending water downhill and onto nearby properties. Planned upgrades include a new valley gutter to better control runoff, along with partial water main replacement.
Street and pedestrian improvements are also a central part of the project. Gee Creek Loop will receive new asphalt, sidewalk upgrades and curb ramps designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
A key safety addition will be a designated pedestrian crossing at the entrance from Pioneer Street, equipped with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon and new lighting. The crossing will connect Gee Creek Loop to the southeast end of Abrams Park, creating a safe and legal route for pedestrians to access the park.
While a continuous sidewalk already exists on the south side of Pioneer Street leading toward downtown Ridgefield, there is currently no protected crossing into Abrams Park by the development. The new crossing will close that gap, linking neighborhood routes with park access and nearby trails.
Funding for the project includes a $195,000 Community Development Block Grant allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with a mix of local funding sources, including a Public Works Board loan, the Transportation Benefit District and water system development charges.
Construction is expected to begin in May, according to the project website.
