Submitted by City of Tenino
Let’s face it: Everyone will be glad to see the year 2020 in the rearview mirror. Most of us are anxious to sing Auld Lange Syne and are pinning our hopes that 2021 will bring better circumstances.
This is just as true for the City of Tenino. The City’s budget, and therefore its ability to realize the goals and objectives for 2020, is at the lowest level since 2015. Despite personnel losses and the effects of COVID-19 (and the government-mandated response thereto), the City has every reason to believe 2021 will be much better, beginning with street improvements.
The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) announced that Tenino will be the recipient of a Small City Arterial Program (SCAP) grant in the amount of $591,132.00 for the purpose of renovating Ritter Street between Sussex Avenue and Park Avenue.
The completed project will see a completely re-made road surface that will be 25 feet wide the entire distance from Sussex to Park and will include about 100 feet of 6-inch concrete barrier curb to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Ritter and Sussex. Along the west side, 5-foot wide sidewalks will be installed, along with curbs and gutters. On the east side of the street, there will be a 2-foot wide shoulder and a 3-foot wide bioretention swale to channel rain water run-off to the City’s storm drain system. While the roadway is being repaired, the City will replace the water mains. The City is also working with Puget Sound Energy to “underground” the electrical distribution lines along Ritter Street, but costs may preclude this aspect of the project from being executed. Dates for construction have not yet been set, but under the terms of the grant, the project must be complete by September 30, 2022.
The Thurston Regional Planning Council also notified the City that it will receive approximately $137,500.00 in Rural Communities Support Program funding to repair Hodgden Street North from the intersection of Sussex Avenue to a point approximately 115 feet north of the intersection. This project will include road surface improvements, curbside parking on the west side of the street, and the installation of curbs, gutters, and five-foot wide sidewalks along the east side of the street. Engineering work will occur in 2021 and construction will occur in 2022, with project completion set for September 30, 2022.
Tenino has more reason to celebrate 2021 because a direct legislative grant of $500,470.00 in 2019 will see the renovation of Tenino City Hall. The renovation tasks include: repair City Hall’s sagging roof; “re-tucking” of the mortar between the sandstone blocks along the building’s north face; remodeling of the office space; installation of new carpet and ceiling tiles; painting of the exterior; installation of an awning
over the City Hall entrance door; installation of a new security system that features “card lock” exterior doors; bringing the building into compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act; and other miscellaneous improvements.
The Washington State ARTS Commission recently awarded the City a Creative District Pilot Capital Projects Grant in an amount up to $26,416.66. The grant requires a 1:1 match, so the total value of the project could be as high as $52,833.32. The project chosen by the City is to pave the parking lot behind the Tenino Mini-Mall. The project will incorporate “asphalt art” and is designed to be aesthetically pleasing, as well as practical.
The Quarry Pool is also being renovated both to improve the appearance and functionality of the “kiddie pool,” and to the mechanical and electrical systems to improve the efficiency of the pool’s filtration system.
Additionally, having received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from Thurston County, the City anticipates beginning a renovation of the Quarry House in the City Park. The renovation will address some minor structural issues; upgrade the kitchen facilities; bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and make miscellaneous cosmetic improvements.
All told, the above projects represent approximately $1.55 million in municipal improvements, an investment long overdue and which will benefit the citizens and visitor of Tenino
