City Moving Ahead To Make Rucker More Pedestrian Friendly In Downtown Everett

Some long-delayed improvements to Rucker Avenue in downtown Everett, Washington will move forward this spring according to a press release sent out by the City of Everett Thursday.

Four blocks of Rucker Ave. are about to be transformed into a more pedestrian-friendly corridor that encourages retail development and tourist destinations, walkable residential neighborhoods and a greater array of commercial activities.

“Streetscape upgrades are a tool for urban renewal and economic development,” said Ryan Sass, public works director. “The Rucker Renewal project is a key piece of the City’s effort to distinguish this portion of Rucker Avenue as part of the core of the downtown residential neighborhood.”

Rucker Avenue runs three miles from its northwest end on residential Alverson Blvd to its intersection with the major arterial Evergreen Way to the south, where it splits off for eight blocks into another residential neighborhood. As part of the project, the contractor will add pedestrian-friendly features, such as wider sidewalks, landscaping and new lighting, and will add landscaping and trees to the median.

“This project is a great step toward the vibrant, walkable quality of life that we envision for all of Everett,” said Dan Eernissee, economic development director. “We are excited about what the Rucker Renewal project will achieve, and we will work closely with businesses and the Downtown Everett Association to minimize project impacts during construction.”

The project will go to bid in March, with construction expected to begin this summer. Visit the project web page to sign up for regular updates during construction: www.everettwa.gov/ruckerrenewal.

Project background

The City began designing the project in 2011, but it was put on hold awaiting funding. Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funding came through in 2017. The project follows the recent 41^st to W. Marine View Drive freight corridor project, which redirected traffic flow for trucks and other vehicles traveling between Interstate 5 and the Port of Everett away from downtown.

The Rucker Renewal project also includes 1 1/2 adjacent blocks of Wall Street and one-half block of California Street.

The City is leveraging one-time state grant funding with already programmed capital improvement program (CIP)funds to complete the design and construction of the Rucker Renewal streetscape project. The project also includes water main replacement between Pacific and Everett Avenue, and utility funds will be used to pay for that portion of the work.

Visit www.everettwa.gov/ruckerrenewal for more information about the project.