Work to resume next week on Bellingham capital construction projects, city announces
City of Bellingham capital construction projects that meet certain exceptions in Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” orders will resume next week Interim Public Works Director Eric Johnston announced in a city press release Friday evening, April 10.
Contractor safety plans and approved worker protection measures have to be approved by city engineers before work resumes, the release states. City inspectors will monitor activities to make sure illness-prevention procedures are followed, the release states.
Inslee’s office issued a memo March 25 that outlines additional guidance for the construction industry. The memo states that in general, commercial and private construction isn’t considered an essential activity under the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, except under limited circumstances. Those circumstances include construction that furthers a “public purpose related to a public entity or governmental function or facility, including but not limited to publicly financed low-income housing” or to prevent spoilage, damage or unsafe conditions or emergency repairs at both non-essential businesses and residential structures.
The city projects that are authorized to continue all meet the exception requirements, the release states. Those projects are the Horton Road extension, city-wide sanitary sewer main replacement, development of Cordata Park, installing sidewalks, building roads and completing bicycle lanes. The Fountain Plaza redevelopment project has been considered non-essential and is still on hold, according to the release. Most active construction on public works and Parks and Recreation Department projects was temporarily suspended beginning March 26 due to Inslee’s order.
Johnston said in the release that city inspectors have secured appropriate personal protective equipment, or PPE, for the workers and to guard the public against the spread of COVID-19. There will be on-site handwashing stations, hand sanitizer, reusable cloth masks, disposable paper masks and gloves, and other supplies. All were obtained without impacting first responder equipment and supplies, the release states.
“We are doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are actively engaged in ensuring that only essential public construction projects are continuing. We are focusing on illness prevention for workers and the public while we move forward on projects that have important benefits to our community,” Johnston said in a prepared statement in the release.
Since Inslee’s order, city officials have also received additional guidance about workplace safety for essential construction activities from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of General Contractors, according to the release. City engineers have directed contractors to develop safety plans and are meeting with them to review and approve the plans, the release states.
“Most of our work for the past month and in the weeks ahead is prioritized with a focus on preventing the spread of illness, providing city services that are essential to the community, and laying the groundwork for community recovery. Resuming construction activities for these essential projects meets the Governor’s requirements and our city priorities as well,” Johnston said in a prepared statement in the release.
Some advocacy groups are asking the state to roll back some construction restrictions while ensuring workers are safe. While Inslee has stood by his decision that residential and commercial construction are not essential, some are working to change his mind.
And in Whatcom County, one city appears to be chafing the Governor’s order. Lynden City Administrator Mike Martin released a letter earlier in the week encouraging the building community “to continue its work wherever it can be done prudently and safely.”
In a letter clarifying his position that was released Thursday, April 9, Martin said the city is allowing projects with approved permits dated before Thursday, March 26, to start and continue to completion. This applies to both residential and commercial projects.
This story was originally published April 11, 2020 at 10:41 AM.
