Landscape Median Updates

A demonstration was cast at the Public Works Maintenance facility.  This is what it looks like.  In addition to this project, a separate construction project downtown will update medians, expanding them to reach the crosswalks nearby, include this standard to tie the improvements together.

The project plans are included on this webpage as a link to the pdf.  

No, this project does not remove trees from any medians receiving the treatment. Two medians on Central way have existing trees (at Peter Kirk Park, and between 3rd Street and 2nd Street) which are protected in the plans and will remain (baring a discovery regarding the health of the tree or an accident).  

Central Way between 5th Street and 4th Street

Central Way between 4th Street and 3rd Street

Central Way between 3rd street and 2nd Place

Central Way between 1st Street and Market Street

This location will also have median work associated with a separate pedestrian safety project that is grant funded and headed into construction as well.  Additionally, the Central Way and NE 124th Street Pedestrian Safety project will extend the medians on Central Way at Lake Street and 1st Street, adds a missing section of dedicated bike lanes on Central Way, installs a new center median where Market Street enters Marina Park, and has some sidewalk design repairs to increase pedestrian visibility and safety.  

Market Street at 16th Avenue West

Market Street at 18th Avenue past 18th Avenue West

Market Street between 20th Avenue West and 20th Avenue

Project vicinity map

Citywide, there is an estimated amount of 165,000 square feet of center medians along the City’s streets, 113,000 square feet of landscaped area.

For most medians on Market Street, parking will be restricted near the medians and the travel lanes will shift around the center medians. There are two travel lanes in each direction on Central Way, so drivers will be shifted into a single lane. At Market Street and Central Way intersection, the geometry is complex and requires flaggers to safely control traffic, likely alternating travel direction through that location. Work hours for all these traffic impacts are no earlier than 9 a.m. and be out of the roadway by 3 p.m., barring unexpected conditions or emergencies.

There is a private development project that scheduled a northbound closure of a section of Market Street in February, which is unrelated to this project.

(Mar. 14, 2025) -- The concrete is poured, and final tasks of sealing the concrete and adding mulch for the trees remain for this project.

(Mar. 6, 2025) -- Concrete is expected to be poured beginning Friday, March 7. The contractor expects to begin at the north end of Market Street and work south, then move to the east side of Central Way and work west.

(Feb. 27, 2025)  --Our contractor is scheduling the concrete and crews for the decorative concrete, possibly next week. The median at Peter Kirk Park shows all tree wells within the median. Tree planting will follow shortly after this project completes.

(1/30/24) -- Construction is planned to begin on Monday, Feb. 3 on the landscape medians.  There will be traffic control around the center island medians, and reduced parking when the median is being updated.  This project is expected to be complete much quicker than the allowed 45 working days, likely in March.  Extreme weather, such as snow, will delay the project.

(11/7/24)  -- Kirkland's contractor expects to begin construction on this project in early 2025.

(10/2/24) --Project award of this construction project is scheduled for the City Council action in October. Construction expected to begin in early 2025.