September 24, 2014- Vol 6, Issue 40
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In This Issue
160th Road Work
Prescription Drug Take-Back
Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference
Public Notices
   
Last year, community members and military competed for Sumner in events ranging from softball to sack races.  Join in the fun this year as the Great American Picnic returns this Saturday, and Sumner defends last year's victory over Puyallup.

Mayor's Update: Bridge Update

 

On Monday night, the City Council gave the designers of the Bridge Street bridge further direction as they continue to hone in on a design.  There's the obvious goal: a sturdy structure that's realigned better to the adjacent streets with two wider lanes of traffic, two bicycle lanes and pedestrian sidewalks.  There are other goals too: build something that remains special to the community, better connect the Cannery side  of town to the Downtown side, encourage more pedestrians to cross and enjoy the bridge, make sure people using the bridge get to enjoy the river and natural beauty around them. 

 

A few months ago, the Council felt the best fit for these goals was a bridge with nothing decorative going up and over the top.  However, they still wanted to see something more than basically your standard "overpass" look.  At this week's meeting, designer Tanja Wilcox offered more options for lighting, railing and artwork.  The Council chose the following: 

  • 42" high railing instead of 54" high, which aids viewing of the river for pedestrians but requires bicyclists to either use the bike lane or walk bikes across the bridge.
  • Use concrete railing on the approach and then metal railing over the river itself, similar to what is on the current bridge railing. 
  • Choose a standard style of metal railing instead of a custom designed railing.
  • Explore adding a bronze top to the railing, perhaps in a wave pattern to encourage kids (of all ages) to run their hands along the metal as they cross the bridge.
  • Explore some sort of festive lighting but don't compete against the clean lines of the overall bridge design.    
  • Continue to explore a portal piece of artwork as you approach the bridge itself, but incorporate ideas from the Sumner Arts Commission for something more in line with Sumner and the industrial feel of this bridge.
  • Include a sound system.
  • Explore a small plaza on the northwest side of the bridge (where a billboard is right now) to somehow commemorate the current, historic bridge. 

As you can see, there's no "final" design yet.  This feedback goes to the bridge designers to give them more focus in where they spend their time and talent.  In the coming months, we'll be excited to see what they design that is just for Sumner and gives us a bridge that fills the rather large footprint of the role our current bridge holds in our community.


 

Mayor Dave Enslow

   

Road Work on 160th 

 

Due to the East Sumner Regional Stormwater Facility, 160th Avenue E will be closed from 60th Street E to 64th Street E.  We apologize for any inconvenience.  The original plans had this closure later in the fall, but the contractor moved up the dates.  


 

The image below shows the detour route.  Please plan for a few extra minutes to use this route.  Residents in this particular stretch of 160th will have local access only.

 

Now through October 6: The closure of 160th will be Monday-Friday, 7 am - 5 pm, open on weekends and evenings.

 

October 6-Project Completion: The closure of 160th will be all hours, all days with access for residents only.

 

More about the project

 

Prescription Drug Take-Back 

  

Sumner Police are participating in the National Drug Take-Back program this Saturday, September 27 from 10 am to 2 pm.  Bring any unused prescriptions to City Hall, and we'll dispose of them safely.  


This is an important program to keep unused prescriptions out of the wrong hands and out of our water system.  In fact, if you can't make it on Saturday, Sumner Police always have a bin available in their lobby.  You can drop off unused prescriptions any time -- just like mailing letters in a mailbox.

 

Thank you for helping to keep our water systems free of pharmaceuticals and keep prescriptions out of the hands of children.  More about safely disposing of prescription drugs.  

 

Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference


Caregiver's Conference

Thursday, Sept 25

 

Pierce County is hosting the annual Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference to provide information, support and encouragement for caregivers, family members and friends who are giving care in the home.  The conference will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1315 N. Stevens in Tacoma. The event is free but RSVP is required by calling (253) 798-8787.  

 

More information about Pierce County's Caregiver Support program.

   

Public Notices
  
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