Debate over completion in 2012 of the one-mile "missing link" for the Olympic Discovery Trail through the city highlighted the council’s unanimous approval of its six-year capital projects plan at its May 26 meeting.

Projects slated for 2009 on the 166-item list include:

_ The Pitship Estuary bridge, a $382,500 project to replace an existing culvert under West Sequim Bay Road, for which the city will contribute $50,000 in in-kind services.

_ Expansion of the city’s water reuse system from 800,000 gallons a day to 1.1 million gallons at a cost of $8.14 million in 2009 and $2.86 million in 2010, funded by state and federal grants.

_ Completion of the Town Center Sub-Area plan that aims to increase density in the city’s core area, estimated to cost $21,000.

_ Third Avenue sidewalks estimated at $170,000.

_ Intersection improvements at Washington Street and Seventh Avenue, estimated at $150,000 in 2009 followed by $110,000 in 2012, $20,000 in 2013, and $920,000 in 2014.

The 2009-2014 project plan doesn’t fund anything – that’s done in the annual budget process – but projects must be on the list to receive state or outside funding.

The proposed Spruce Street route for the Olympic Discovery Trail’s "missing link" was reaffirmed by the Sequim Citizens Advisory Board at its Nov. 11 meeting.

The proposed route would connect the Olympic Discovery Trail through Sequim from the intersection of Hendrickson Road and Sequim Avenue to the Water Reuse Demonstration Park using East Spruce Street and North Sunnyside Avenue.

The project is listed as receiving $60,000 in 2010, $180,000 in 2011 and $360,000 in 2012. Much of that money is projected to come from grant funding.

Mike East, planning commissioner, said the Olympic Discovery Trail is really important but $560,000 seems like a lot for one mile of trail.

A low-cost alternative such as signs might be better, he said.

Councilor Bill Huizinga said the trail is very important to keep in the city’s plan because of potential grant funding. It also will provide a sidewalk along a route that has none now, he said.

Councilor Paul McHugh said arrows painted on the pavement would be in the street with the traffic until the trail is built, so it is needed for pedestrian infrastructure, he said.

Councilor Walt Schubert said, "We need to do the trail right as the rest of it has been done."

You never know what grants might become available to pay for it, he said.

Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.