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Last modified: Saturday, December 29, 2007 8:22 AM PST
Third Avenue downtown gets makeover to make it 'inviting'
The city has put the finishing touches on the initial phase of a Third Avenue makeover around Pike and Pine Streets that it says will make the bustling thoroughfare a safer, more inviting street for residents, shoppers, bus riders and visitors.
However, the street has been burdened over the past several days because of computer glitches in the bus tunnel.
The work includes work to improve lighting and landscaping, open up crowded sidewalks and provide better shelter from rainy weather for pedestrians and those waiting to catch a bus. The city and building owners will continue to make improvements in the coming months.
"Whether you live, work, shop or take transit downtown, you know how important Third Avenue is to our city," said Mayor Greg Nickels. "It is impressive how just a few small changes can make a big difference for the thousands of people who use it every day. Thanks to community's help, this street feels safer, works better, and looks great."
A spate of high-profile incidents over the summer caused concerns about public safety along this busy corridor. The mayor asked police to step up their presence in the area while the city joined with community groups and businesses to focus on improving the sidewalks and streetscape.
The increased foot patrols by police and coordination with other agencies is paying off. In the first full month of the stepped-up patrols, 911 calls in the area dropped 26 percent compared with the previous September, while proactive police responses jumped 220 percent.
Recent or planned changes include:
- Replacing the bus shelter at Century Square with newly installed benches located under the adjacent building overhang.
- Installing a larger building overhang in the near future (proposed by Century Square).
- Removing Gibraltar Tower's building scaffolding and redesigning a new overhang to include weather protection.
- Installing 19 large new planters.
- Installing two solar-powered trash compactors.
- Cleaning tree pits and re-striping crosswalks.
- Cleaning sidewalks.
- Improving street lighting for pedestrians.
- Improving coordination of garbage service.
- Installing Nutcracker figures for a holiday charity drive and holiday lighting on trees.
Changes are also planned for areas nearby:
- Macy's will improve the faŤade in front of its loading dock north of Pine Street.
- A new restaurant opening in 2008 will replace the faŤade of the former Macy's parking garage north of Pine Street.
- A new IGA Supermarket opens in early 2008 in the Kress Building just south of Pike Street. |
