Notice of Road Work

CP2321- Downtown Infrastructure Improvements (PDF)

Project Limits:
East Main Street from Auburn Avenue to B Street NE, and Auburn Avenue from East Main Street to 1st Street NE. Please see the map on the reverse side of this flyer.

Project Purpose:
This project will replace aging underground utilities and surface infrastructure making downtown Auburn more attractive and accessible for residents and visitors.

Description of Work and Schedule:
Construction will begin with demolition of the building located at 125 E Main St as well as underground utilities in the B St Plaza (Initial Construction Areas). This work is scheduled to begin on May 12, 2025. E Main St and Auburn Ave will remain opened during this initial phase of the project.

Full road closures of E Main St and Auburn Ave, as depicted on the attached map, is scheduled to begin on June 2, 2025, and continue through the end of August 2025. Another notice will be issued as we approach the roadway closure period.

Additional Information:
We are dedicated to causing as little impact on residents and businesses as possible. Access to residences and businesses will remain open for the duration of this project. However, you should anticipate traffic impacts and noise caused by construction activities. Construction activities are limited to daytime hours (7:00 am and 7:00 pm), night work is not expected. If night work becomes necessary, a separate notice will be distributed in advance of the night work activities.

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation while we work to revitalize downtown Auburn.

Contact Information:
If you have any questions, concerns or need more information, please contact:
Kevin Aalmo, Active Construction, Inc. Superintendent, at 253-686-7094
Matt Larson, City of Auburn Project Manager at 253-804-5032
Seth Loop, City of Auburn Construction Manager/Inspector at 253-804-5082

Project Update:

The City has awarded the construction contract to Active Construction Inc. (ACI). It is anticipated that construction work will begin as early as May 12, 2025 with a full closure of E. Main Street and Auburn Avenue on June 2, 2025. See Main St & Auburn Ave Road Closure map for closure details.

Main St & Auburn Ave Road Closure (PDF)

Over the course of the next few years, the City will continue efforts to revitalize Downtown Auburn with the Downtown Infrastructure Improvements Project. This project will replace infrastructure on Auburn Avenue and East Main Street that is at or near the end of its useful service life, make streetscape improvements that help create a welcoming environment, and start the planning and design process to replace the Auburn Avenue Theater.  Replaced infrastructure includes water, sewer, and storm utilities, roadway pavement, and sidewalks on East Main Street from Auburn Avenue to B Street SE (B Street Plaza) and on Auburn Avenue from 1st Street NE to East Main Street. The project will also replace the traffic signal at East Main Street/Auburn Avenue.

Conceptual Design

View more details in the Downtown Theater, Park, and Infrastructure Plans (PDF)

Background

The existing Theater was structurally damaged at the end of 2021 and subsequently condemned in January 2022. The damage was due to the demolition of an adjacent building, which was the result of a fire in July 2021 that destroyed the apartment building and several businesses. Significant structural issues have resulted in the decision to demolish the existing Auburn Avenue Theater and rebuild a new Theater.

In fall of 2023, as part of the overall downtown infrastructure project, the City requested proposals for design services from qualified consultant firms. After a thorough review and evaluation of the proposals Otak Inc. was selected to provide architectural and engineering design services for delivering this project.

Business Impacts

The City is committed to limiting inconveniences and impacts to residents and local businesses as a result of construction. During construction, access to downtown businesses will be maintained.

Downtown Infrastructure Components

• Utility work includes approx. 600 LF of new sanitary sewer, 500 LF of new water main, 150 LF of underground overhead power and communications facilities, replaced traffic signal, 3300 SY of full roadway, sidewalk, and plaza areas, pedestrian scale decorative street lighting, downtown standard street lighting, and an enhanced pedestrian crossing.

Timeline:

• Infrastructure Design Completion: Spring 2025
• Infrastructure Construction: Summer 2025 - Winter 2025/2026

Project Costs:
$5.3 Million

Auburn Avenue Theater Project Components

• Theater Demolition: Demolition occurred in the fall of 2024. 

• Theater Rebuild: The architect, Otak, conceptual design for a new 290-310 seat (up to 10,300 SF) performing arts theater.

• New Theater Construction: Full design of the replacement theater is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 with construction beginning in early 2026.

Project Costs:

The City has secured all funds needed to design and construct a new performing arts theater. Current funding partners are as follows:

$100,000 (King County Grant) 

$1,498,650 (WA State Department of Commerce Direct Appropriation Grant)

Timeline:

• Existing Theater Demolition: Fall 2024 (Completed)
• New Theater Schematic Design: Summer 2024 (Completed)
• New Theater Final Design: December 2025
• New Theater Construction: January 2026-December 2026

Para obtener esta notificación en español, visite la página web de la ciudad de Auburn: www.auburnwa.gov/CapitalProjectNotices;

Найти это уведомление на русском языке можно на веб-странице муниципалитета г. Auburn по адресу www.auburnwa.gov/CapitalProjectNotices.

要查看本通知的西班牙语版，请访问奥本市政府 网站上的相应网页： www.auburnwa.gov/CapitalProjectNotices.
この通知をスペイン語で受信するには、 オーバーン市 のウェブサイトをご覧ください www.auburnwa.gov/CapitalProjectNotices.