The beautification of Highway 2 was one of the discussion topics at the Nov. 12 Airway Heights Planning Commission meeting.
Planning Services Director Derrick Braaten presented a draft of the Highway 2 beautification project put together by Kirsten Harrison, who interned for the Planning Department over the summer. Braaten explained that Harrison took details from previous plans and extrapolated them into the current plan. The draft included a shared use path, increased vegetation and bike paths on both sides of the highway.
“The details and projects will come in phases,” Braaten said. “It will be integrated, but it doesn’t have a lot of detail because we’re not at that detail stage.”
The project also proposes strengthening an aviation theme, which would include runway-style lighting, aviation-inspired signage and hangar-inspired architecture.
Braaten said he met with Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments for their input. He and Harrison also took the concept to the Airway Heights Festival to get feedback and suggestions from residents, though Braaten plans to hold public hearings to allow for more input. He said he would bring a resolution approving the concept to the Planning Commission.
“The reason we want to adopt the concept is because we’ll have a better chance of acquiring funding,” Braaten said.
Braaten said funding for the beautification would be from grants and that the individual plans will come to the Planning Commission as they are developed. One suggestion he had was to involve Eastern Washington University students in creating highway art.
Commissioner Larry Bowman said his hometown did something similar to this and it revamped the entire downtown area.
Commissioner Kal Patel asked about the timeline for the project. Braaten said it might take 10-15 years before it is finished.
“The concept would stay the same, but the details may change,” Braaten said.
Commissioner Matthew Pederson said the city should focus on street repairs for 14th Avenue. He added that the city could use some of the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) money to fund the Highway 2 beautification.
“We have a solid plan and this is a start,” Pederson said. “We should talk with the business community and get more community input.”
The other discussion topic was a possible memorial to recognize residents who have served the city. It began as a proposal to rename Traditions Park, located between Horton and Lawson streets, after Mary Henson, who recently passed away. Braaten explained that Henson served on the Park Board and the Planning Commission. She also worked for the city.
“She was someone who was very interested in improving the quality of life in the city in a respectful way,” Braaten said. “The staff wanted to do something in remembrance.”
Although the city’s “Park and Park Facility Naming” policy discourages renaming parks, Braaten explained that Traditions Park is a placeholder name that he came up with and the policy only applies to parks that have an official name attached to it.
Pederson said Henson is worthy of having a park named after her, though he believed there are other places that would be more suited to honor Henson, one being the park space adjacent to the library. He added that other residents who are worthy of the same honor.
“I would like to see more of a public discussion on this topic,” Pederson said. “It would be good to slow down a little bit, put some thought into our planning and be precise with our intentions.”
Bowman asked if the city could create a specific space that would recognize multiple volunteers in the community. Braaten said he would go back to staff and bring a feasibility report to see if they can create a memorial park.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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