Question: Provide an overview of improvements to Lower King Street, including on-going maintenance costs and improvement options for the 200 block of King Street. (Mayor Gaskins)
Response:
In the FY 2025 capital budget, $4.5 million was approved for longer-term improvements to the 100 block of King Street to create a permanent pedestrian plaza. These improvements will be completed in coordination with the larger Waterfront Flood Mitigation project. Currently, there are no improvements budgeted for additional upgrades to the 200 block of King Street, which was permanently closed to vehicles by City Council in September 2025.
Operating costs for this block would be approximately $20,000 per year for upkeep of plants and general maintenance. Should the City wish to pursue other short-term improvements to the 200 Block, such as platforms and bollards similar to what is currently installed on the 100 block, the estimated cost is approximately $350,000.
Staff is currently assessing the cost of long-term improvements to the 200 Block that would create a permanent pedestrian plaza similar to what is planned for the 100 block. This assessment will be informed by on-going design work of the 100 block of King Street and the overall Waterfront project; a cost estimate is not available at this time. A comprehensive planning, design, and construction project for long-term improvements to the 200 block of King Street will likely require a future CIP budget request.