With two phases of the Town Center project completed, the city of Snoqualmie has now begun efforts to design a concept for phase 3 improvements between Southeast Fir Street and Snoqualmie Parkway.

On June 24, the city council authorized a request for proposals for engineering consultant services for the phase 3 project. Funded with the help of a more than $800,000 in federal grants from the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), the project aims to upgrade utilities by under-grounding the lines through the area, improving the multi-use path, pedestrian trail bridge, improve parking and add connections to trails.

The project will also feature safety improvements to have the trails, pedestrian bridge and bus stops meet the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bus stops along the road will receive shelters to protect people from the rain as they wait for transit.

The consultant will begin work on the design phase of the project to determine what exact improvements are achievable in the third phase. Community Development director Mark Hofman said the designs will be shared with the public as development continues into 2020.

Phase 3 covers a portion of land zoned as open space — not commercial or retail — so no businesses could expand down the street. The purpose of the project is only to make improvements to utility and access, Hofman reiterated.

According to Jeff Hamlin, project engineer, the PSRC grant funding of $810,505 will make up 86.5 percent of the total funding for the design phase. The city match of $126,495 will be the remaining 13.5 percent for a total of $937,000.

Hamlin said the design of the project is expected to be finished in December 2020, with construction expected to begin in the summer of 2021.

The city council approved the the request for proposals with a 5-0 vote, with councilmembers Bob Jeans and Bryan Holloway not in attendance.