Project Groundwork

Roundabouts
Heather Ostenson participated in a TRB webinar covering planning, design, and operational analysis of roundabouts on May 16th. Presenters from the public and private sector shared case studies, basics of lane determination and layout, and operational analysis fundamentals.

Planning Law Conference
Heather Ostenson attended the WA APA 2013 Planning Law Conference put on by the Puget Sound Chapter at Meydenbauer Center on May 15th. She attended sessions on recent land use case law, GMA, property takings, SEPA legislation and rule changes, and changes in FEMA mapping and regulations relating to floodplains.

Economic Benefits of Walkable and Bikeable Communities
Jillian Reiner attended an Association of Pedestrian and Bicycling Professionals webinar on April 17th. The webinar discussed how walking and cycling play important and unique roles in an efficient and equitable transportation system.

Paving The Way
The 32nd Place vicinity realignment of the Apple Capital Loop Trail was paved on April 11th. The construction is being completed by Pipkin Construction.

At the International Trails Symposium
Project Groundwork is an exhibitor at the International Trails Symposium in Fountain Hills, Arizona. The Three day conference is focused on front country and back country hiking, biking, equestrian and ORV trails throughout the world. David will be attending a day long session on Building Trail Towns, capitalizing on open space resources and trails to boost tourism.

Preparations for the International Trails Symposium
We are making final preparations for David's upcoming travel to the American Trails Conference/International Trails Symposium in Scottsdale AZ, which begins on April 14th. Project Groundwork will be an exhibitor!

Selected for Parks Comp Plan Update
Project Groundwork was selected by Eastmont Metropolitan Parks District to assist them with an update of their 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Eastmont Metro Parks manages approximately 5,200 acres, including 5 parks and the eastside portion of the Apple Capital Loop Trail.

Developing a Workshop
The city of Leavenworth has asked Project Groundwork to assist them with the planning and development of a workshop to introduce area residents to basics about wetlands and stormwater. This event is currently in the scoping phase.

Heather to Serve
Heather Ostenson was appointed to the Douglas County Boundary Review Board on March 28, 2013. She fills the vacancy for the Special Purpose District's seat on the five-member board.

Broadview Area Open House
Project Groundwork assisted the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and City of Wenatchee Parks and Recreation Department with an open house on March 25, 2013 for Broadview neighbors to see the preliminary Foothills Trails Master Plan and conceptual design for a trailhead proximate to the neighborhood.

Mile Markers
Graybeal Signs has the mile markers and identity we designed for the Apple Capital Loop Trail ready to install, and construction of the eastside improvements is resuming after the winter shutdown.

Selected
Project Groundwork is part of the Erlandsen team selected by Douglas County PUD No. 2 to assist with implementation of the Recreation Management Plan associated with their new FERC license.

Congrats to Josh
Former Project Groundwork employee and now Master's in Landscape Architecture candidate Joshua Seyfried's University of Pennsylvania team was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2013 ULI Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition. Congrats Josh!

Downtown Figure/Ground Painting Completed!
The painting for the downtown figure/ground on the north wall in our office was completed today! Now we have to remove all of the tape that we used to mask it!

Heather attends ULI Right-Size Parking Event
Heather Ostenson attended ULI Northwest's Event 'A Supply & Demand: A Balanced Approach to Parking' in Bellevue on February 19th. The event included a keynote by UCLA Professor Donald Shoup, author of "The High Cost of Free Parking," a presentation on King County's new Right-Size Parking Initiative and Calculator, and a panel discussion with Eastside vertical developers and Kirkland's Planning Director.

Presentation at Ecology's Shorelines Workshop
David Stipe presented the innovative public access process developed for the Chelan County Shoreline Master Program update with teammate Lisa Grueter, AICP of BERK to an audience of planners and shoreline administrators at Ecology's Shorelines Workshop in Moses Lake on January 23, 2013.

Follies 2013
Project Groundwork is pleased to be a sponsor for Follies 2013, with proceeds benefitting the Wellness Place and Solomon's Porch. Shows are January 31st, February 1st and 2nd, with tickets available at the PAC.

Pedestrian Wayfinding
Jillian Reiner participated in the ABPB's Best Practices in Pedestrian Wayfinding webinar on January 16th. The webinar discussed the principles of legible wayfinding and creation of movement and information systems for pedestrians.

We're Moving!
We began preparations in our new space right here in the Grand Central Building, down the hall from our current office, just before the Christmas holiday. We anticipate being moved in to our new space on Friday, January 11th.

Bicycle Wayfinding
Jillian Reiner attended an Association of Pedestrian and Bicycling Professionals' webinar on Wayfinding Options for Cyclists on December 19th. The webinar discussed the details of developing and implementing city-wide bicycle sign systems.

David Elected to WASLA Board
David Stipe, L.A. was elected to a position on the board for the Washington chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and attended his first board meeting in early December.

Funding for Downtown Streetscape
Congratulations to the city of Wenatchee for its successful application for CERB funding for improvements in Downtown Wenatchee. Read the Wenatchee World article here.

Upcoming Workshop
David Stipe, L.A. Will be attending the Washington State Community Development Block Grant Program Workshop in Moses Lake on November 6th.

Conference Attendance
Heather Ostenson, P.E. attended the Northwest Pavement Management Association Fall Conference in Vancouver, WA October 24 – 26. She attended sessions on fee structures to support pavement management programs, risks and the role of pavement management, full-depth reclamations, pervious pavements, smooth chip seals, and street saver software tips.

Orondo Improvements
Construction began last week on Orondo, rechannelizing the street section between Columbia and Worthen adding a median that will strengthen the physical and visual connection across the railway corridor. Project Groundwork supported RH2 Engineering by developing the planting and irrigation plans for the project.

Fifth Street Safety Improvements
The Fifth Street Safety Improvements Project in Wenatchee is nearly complete! Key project work included rechannelization of the road to add dedicated bicycle lanes and intersection markings, medians with pedestrian refuges, retrofitting curb returns to add ADA ramps, retrofitting the HPS luminaires to more energy efficient LED heads, and a micro surface pavement preservation treatment.

Recognition
The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust recognized Project Groundwork for exceptional service and ongoing contributions towards furthering the land trust's efforts in the Wenatchee Foothills at their annual dinner.

Project Selection
Project Groundwork is part of the TCF Architecture team selected by the Wenatchee School District to be the A/E consultant for the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center Modification and Modernization..

Orondo Gateway
The marker and median concept we developed to better link downtown and the riverfront at Orondo and Columbia for the city of Wenatchee was discussed at city council and featured in the Wenatchee World. For more info and a glimpse of the concept, read the full article here.

Affordable Housing in Leavenworth
The Wenatchee World covers the affordable housing development we've been working on for Upper Valley MEND, a community-powered effort to keep Leavenworth accessible to people from a wide range of income levels.

Wenatchee Downtown Streetscape Update
This spring, we assisted the Wenatchee Downtown Association with an outreach and education program that sought to determine the level of interest in performing streetscape updates in Downtown, and to what extent. The effort was spurred by a planned overlay of Wenatchee Avenue, on the city's books for 2013.

More Parking for Saddle Rock Hikers
The Saddle Rock Interim Trailhead is under construction, and the permanent trailhead featured in the Wenatchee World. We recently assisted the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and the city of Wenatchee with an application for grant funding. For a look at the plan, and the full article, check out the Wenatchee World Article.

Ski for Health
Project Groundwork is happy to help the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club promote activity, health, and enjoyment of our beautiful area at their 2012 Ski for Health Day.

We have two new staff!
Chris Loftus and Jillian Reiner joined our team at Project Groundwork in January. Chris is a Licensed Landscape Architect and joins us from his previous home in Durango, CO. Jillian joins us from St. Paul, MN and is a landscape architect in training. We are excited about the expertise experience, capacity and interest that they bring to our office. We're looking forward to great things this year and beyond.

The Wenatchee World just featured an article on the project we are currently working on with Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, involving Saddlerock, the surrounding area, and trail stewardship.

This beloved local landmark is a favorite for hikers, as its easy access and breathtaking views are enticing for quick jaunts. However without previously having a stewardship plan in action it currently risks damage from a myriad of user-generated trails. Read the article.

Last week, we helped the Wenatchee Downtown Association and the City of Wenatchee acknowledge outstanding work by drafting students at Wenatchee High School.

The students developed 3D building models of downtown buildings, and the aim is for them to be uploaded to Google Earth.

We are glad to be a part of encouraging the development of technical skills and sense of community.

Congrats to RunWenatchee for a great first-ever Red Devil Challenge! Thanks for including Project Groundwork as a sponsor.

RunWenatchee.com provides a website portal for local and regional runners and multisport athletes to access running and running related events in the Greater Wenatchee Valley and Pacific Northwest.

Last year, we worked on the Barn Beach Reserve Site Master Plan. This year, several of the top priority projects are being implemented.

Cordell, Neher & Company planted the Frances Field Memorial Garden and cleared trail during their annual community service day.

The Barn to Barn Meadow trail, and ADA accessible route, is under construction.