EDMONDS, Washington (STPNS) -- Main Street in Edmonds is going to look dramatically different before the year is up.

The Edmonds City Council has authorized the City to advertise for construction bids for the Main Street Improvement Project, which will mean a complete revamping of Main Street between 5th and 6th avenues.

“This project completes the downtown,” Councilmember Michael Plunkett said. “It was left off when the rest of downtown was redone.”

And is it ever going to look nice.

All new sidewalks and curbs will be going in, 10-12 feet wide. This will give room for some sidewalk dining or retail options.



New streetlights will be installed, and electrical service on the south side of the street will be relocated.

The trees that are currently ruining the sidewalks will be replaced by 18 maple trees. Maples are more columnar, so they won’t interfere with retail operations, and have deep-seated roots that won’t tear up sidewalks in the future.

The entire street will be reconstructed, and the 1920’s cast water pipes underground will be replaced at the same time.

A significant improvement will be storm water lines that will put about 90 percent of the water they collect back into the ground instead of running out into the Sound.

Because the block is nearly 600 feet long, a mid-block crossing is also going in, which will also help slow traffic down.

Add four more artistic flower poles and street furniture such as bike racks, benches and waste containers, and the look is going to change dramatically.

Significantly, all this will be done without losing any parking.

Public Works Director Phil Williams worked with retailers along the street to try to lessen any impacts during construction.

Together, they have devised a timeframe between the end of all the festivals and before the Christmas shopping rush. If all goes as planned, disruptions will be as minimal as possible.

Construction dates are tentatively set for Sept. 10 to Nov. 16.

Estimated cost for this project is $1.6 million, but the city has grants and stormwater funds available that total $1.56 million.