80th Ave Sidewalk Improvements

The City is undertaking a sidewalk improvement project in Town Center, focusing on replacing sidewalks, trees, and lighting along the east side of 80th Avenue SE.

Project Overview

Many of the roadways, sidewalks, lighting, curbs, and trees in Town Center, including most of 80th Avenue, were developed fifty to sixty years ago. Despite a number of street improvement projects in Town Center since then, the east side of 80th Avenue has not been significantly improved since the 1980s. As a result, the sidewalks along 80th Avenue are in poor condition, with many areas having damage due to large root masses from street trees which have caused sidewalk heaving, sinking, and uneven walking surfaces.

In addition to the poor condition of the walking surfaces along 80th Avenue, lighting is inadequate and non-uniform. The lighting system is a combination of the original 1970s wiring and wood poles interlaced with concrete poles used to replace failing wood poles. The 80th Avenue Improvement Project aims to create uniform lighting, ADA-compliant* sidewalks, and an improved walking experience.

Project Details

The 80th Avenue Improvement Project involves three main elements: sidewalk replacements, street tree replacements, and updated street lighting.

Sidewalks

The sidewalks along the east side of 80th Avenue from SE 27th to SE 32nd Streets will be replaced. Most of the new sidewalks will be 5-feet wide. ADA compliant curb ramps will be installed at street intersection corners. A small segment of sidewalk along the west side of 78th Avenue in the 3000 block where sidewalks have either heaved or sunken due to street trees has also been incorporated into the 80th Avenue Improvements Project.

Street Trees

Of the nearly 50 trees within and along the 80th Avenue sidewalk and the small 78th Avenue location, over half of them will need to be removed and replaced. The reasons for removal vary. Some trees have large root masses that cannot be built around, some have poor location within the sidewalk, others have health or structural concerns. Most of the trees affected by this project were assessed by an independent arborist in 2023, and that report documented approximately 20 trees with health or structural deficiencies.

Due to the different street and sidewalk cross-sections involved in this project, staff have developed several solutions for the street trees. Some trees will be retained, and the sidewalk relocated or the grade raised to go over the existing roots. In some areas where new trees will replace removed ones, planting cells will be constructed underneath the new sidewalk areas, which will give the new trees ample space for root mass development. Other trees will be replanted within a landscape median between the curb and sidewalk. Staff are in the process of determining which trees will receive which form of tree planting treatment.

Lighting

The outdated and inadequate street lighting system on both sides of 80th Avenue will be replaced with the installation of a new control cabinet, conduits, wiring, concrete poles, and LED light fixtures. Crews will utilize conduits on the west side of 80th Avenue installed in the 1990’s and retain and reuse most of the existing concrete poles.

Get Involved

The City wants to hear from you. Share your feedback and ask questions here on the 80th Avenue Improvements project page. Updates will be provided as the project heads to construction in late 2024.

*ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act