The Anacortes City Council on July 7 authorized the mayor to sign a $124,884 contract with First 40 Feet LLC to develop a downtown streetscape plan for Commercial Avenue from 11th Street to the waterfront.

Public Works Director Andy Rayum told the council the project was budgeted at $80,000 in the 2025 capital facilities plan but that the selected consultant’s price requires an additional $45,000 in the 2026 capital plan to complete the work. Rayum said the consultant plans to stay within the $80,000 portion in 2025 and finish the remainder in 2026.

The streetscape plan will produce short- and long-term improvement recommendations aimed at preserving historic character while improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and drawing more activity to the downtown. Rayum said the deliverables, scope, budget and schedule are included in the contract.

Council members and supporters said the plan could guide lower-cost improvements that support downtown businesses and avoid more expensive engineering fixes. Council Member TJ Fantini said it was “a very opportunity to get a really comprehensive vision for the downtown area,” and Council Member Walters argued the plan could help identify lower-cost measures that reduce the need for high-cost traffic hardware.

The contract passed on a 6–1 roll call vote: in favor were Walters, Cleland McGrath, Moulton, McDougal, Huebick and Fantini; Council Member Young voted no. The council packet states the project had seven proposals and First 40 Feet was the staff recommendation.

Staff and the Downtown Anacortes Alliance will carry out public outreach as part of the contract. Rayum said the consultant will identify potential state and federal grant opportunities as part of its work. The council did not appropriate the 2026 funds the consultant identified; Rayum said those would be brought back in the 2026 capital facilities planning process.