Commercial Avenue Complete Street Project 

Overview

The Commercial Avenue Complete Street Project aims to make the corridor safer for walking and biking as well as strengthen economic development between 11th and 34th streets.

The design includes wide sidewalks and protected bike lanes on both sides of the roadway with a planted buffer along the parking lane. Reduced lane width and planted medians will further improve safety by managing vehicle speeds and shortening pedestrian crossing distances.

Commercial - 11th to 34th

History

South Commercial Avenue has minimal bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. Along the corridor there were 10 pedestrian and bicycle collisions during a three year period. There is also public sentiment to improve the aesthetics and economic vitality of the area.

Project area 1969

12th and Commercial East 1969

Timeline

Late 2015 - The city receives a grant from WSDOT to develop a concept design to improve roadway facilities for non-motorized uses between 11th and 34th streets.

January 2016 - Alta Planning + Design begins the design of the South Commercial Avenue Corridor Plan with a public open house to get feedback from the community. Later that month, the design team presents three alternatives to city staff.

February 2016 - The City Council approves the Parkway Alternative, which includes wide sidewalks, protected bike lanes and plantings.

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December 2019 Open House

Open house images cropped

Phase 1: 11th Street to 13th Street 

Overview

The City of Anacortes is working with design consultant firm Alta Planning + Design, Inc. on the Commercial Avenue Complete Street project, which will implement multi-modal improvements from 11th Street to 13th Street. 

This project will also provide a contextually sensitive connection from the downtown central business district to the rest of the South Commercial Avenue Corridor as well as 12th Street.

12th pictire

Funding

The Commercial Avenue Complete Street Project Phase 1 is estimated at $5,500,000.

Funding received from:

  • $1,300,000 WSDOT Bike and Pedestrian Grant
  • $950,000 Washington State Transportation Improvements Board (TIB) Grant
  • $1,500,000 Washington State Connecting Communities (WSDOT) Grant 
  • $500,000 City Utility Funds and/or additional grants

Timeline

Summer 2019 - The city receives grants from WSDOT and the Washington State Transportation Improvements Board for design and construction of improvements in the two-block area from 11th to 13th streets.

November 2019 - The city begins the conceptual design phase of the Commercial Avenue Complete Street project.

December 2019 - Alta Planning + Design introduces the project to the public through an open house and a City Council presentation.

Through January 2021 - Alternatives assessment & conceptual design evaluation

February 2021 - City Council votes unanimously to pursue the design of a roundabout.

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12th street roundabout design

Design process

Alta Planning + Design began its design process with four alternatives for the 12th Street intersection. 

As a result of what was heard at a December 2019 open house and a subsequent City Council meeting, two of the options, the protected intersection (signalized) and the roundabout, were selected for study in more detail.

In February 2021, City Council voted unanimously to pursue the design of a roundabout for the intersection.

12th and Comm vicinity map

The Commercial Avenue Complete Street Project: Phase 1 will cover the two-block area from 11th Street to 13th Street. The project will advance a "complete street" that will safely accommodate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Helpful Links:

Virtual Public Open House

Public comment web map

South Commercial Avenue Corridor Plan

Health Impact Assessment Report by University of Washington

Public Open House presentation boards by Alta Planning + Design, Inc.

Video: Project presentation to Anacortes City Council 2/1/21 by Alta Planning + Design, Inc.

Video: Project presentation to Anacortes City Council 2/22/21 by Alta Planning + Design, Inc.

Contact Us:

For general questions, contact the City Engineering Department - 360-293-1920

Tim Hohmann, City Engineer timh@cityofanacortes.org

Brandon Gonzalez, AICP, Alta Planning + Design, Inc. Senior Associate - 206-735-7466, brandongonzalez@altaplanning.com