CITY OF REPUBLIC
Downtown Improvements and City Streets Improvements

Varela client since 2000

The city’s challenges
After 120 years, Republic was starting to show its age: city streets were badly deteriorated, Clark Avenue (the main downtown thoroughfare) was in poor condition with deteriorated and inadequate sidewalks, and the downtown itself needed a facelift to encourage economic revitalization. And no sidewalks existed for students walking to school along state highway SR 20. With no overall plan or financing strategy in place to solve these problems, it became apparent that Republic’s aging infrastructure would cost far more to restore than the community’s financial capabilities. Aging and inadequate infrastructure was in fact limiting the city’s ability to grow and attract businesses and residents. An overall plan and financing strategy were badly needed, as was a knowledgeable advocate for the city.

How we helped
A forward-looking mayor and city council decided to tackle these problems and retained Varela & Associates to help. We worked closely (and enjoyably) with city representatives to develop and implement a multi-system infrastructure improvements plan that cost-effectively coordinated downtown beautification and street/sidewalk improvements with major water, sewer, and storm drain replacements. We provided:

• improvements planning and coordination
• grant/loan funding acquisition and coordination of multiple funding sources
• public involvement assistance
• project planning, management, design, and construction inspection

What the city accomplished
The city has accomplished an amazing amount of infrastructure improvements since we jumped in to help in 2000, and we are proud to have helped make their vision a reality. Republic’s downtown is now both safer and more attractive, and many residential streets have new surfacing. In addition to the overhaul of the city’s water and stormwater systems, $2.1 million of street, sidewalk, and downtown improvements were accomplished with affordable funding:

• Clark Avenue downtown asphalt grind and overlay (WSDOT funding)
• sidewalk replacement throughout the entire downtown business district
• downtown decorative lighting system
• downtown drainage improvements
• downtown ADA-designated parking design and special ramping
• aesthetic awning support replacement for Clark Avenue storefronts
• safe walking paths and sidewalks along SR 20 from downtown and residential area to the school
• street system resurfacing throughout the city