Planning for a new access into Westminster Pier Park is moving on to the detailed design phase - including consideration of a zipline into the park.
The riverfront park is currently only accessible via a parking lot at the east side of the park. Council has directed staff to proceed with the detailed design and construction of the Fourth Street overpass, including stairs and an elevator connection to the park.
"It doesn't say we are building it," Coun. Chuck Puchmayr said about the zipline. "It says to look at it."
Mayor Wayne Wright said staff will get information about the potential cost and viability of a zipline as part of the design process.
Last summer, council directed staff to proceed with a request for proposals to hire a consultant to prepare preliminary design concepts and cost estimates for a structure that would be fully accessible and complement the design of Westminster Pier Park.
According to a staff report, the connection was originally expected to be complete in the spring of 2013, but summer 2013 is a "more realistic" target given the current timing.
A Feb. 25 staff report included a number of options for improved access to the park and cost estimates for the project: Option 1 - overpass and stairs ($1,377,000); Option 2 - over-pass, stairs and elevator ($1,885,000); Option 3 - overpass, stairs and ramp ($3,105,000); and Option 4 - overpass, stairs, elevator and ramp ($3,613,000).
"The overpass and stairs only, would provide access to the park but would not achieve accessibility requirements," stated the staff report. "The addition of either an elevator, ramp or both would address accessibility to different degrees with associated cost impacts and impacts on the park. The construction of an overpass with stairs and an elevator would provide full accessibility and add to the iconic look of the structure as the elevator shaft would be illuminated."
For an extended version of this story, go to www.royalcityrecord.com
