Anthes Avenue, one of Langley’s most-traveled streets, is about to get pedestrian walkways added. But, since the project will encroach on yards and other private property, the city wants public input first.
According to Rick Hill, Langley’s public works director, two different alternatives have been created to give residents a choice on how they would like to see the street take shape between Second and Sixth streets.
“The main difference is the location of the bus stop,” Hill said about the two plans.
One plan has the bus stop planned to be in front of the Langley United Methodist Church, while in the other the stop stays in its current location, below the church’s parking lot.
Increased street parking is designed into both plans, said Hill.
Under one plan, almost 12,000 square feet of paving would be added to Anthes. Under the other, approximately 6,300 square feet would be added. Because the latter has a smaller pavement area, the number of parking spaces would be fewer.
Hill said angle parking will be improved on the street, and several parallel parking spaces will be added under both alternatives.
A biological assessment will be completed to study the affects of the additional impervious surface areas, said Hill. The smaller amount of pavement used, the less impact the project will have in terms of water and pollution runoff.
“Once we know what we’re going to do, then we can do the assessment,” said Hill.
The project is expected to cost approximately $300,000, plus an additional $50,000 for 650 linear feet of 8-inch water main between Fourth and Sixth streets.
The $50,000 project is part of Langley’s comprehensive water plan, and would be funded by the proposed water rate increase. The city plans to pay for the $300,000 project through city funds and a majority through Washington state funding.
Under to both alternatives, the project will include 6-foot sidewalks on both sides of the street; new catch basins; curbs and gutters between Second and Fourth streets; and varying degrees of landscaping.
