Next week, join in this celebration of access on Prune Alley

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

 San Juan County is proud to announce the opening of Prune Alley in Eastsound. The public is invited to join County officials and community members in a celebration of access event on Thursday, September 1 at 6 p.m. at the north end of Prune Alley near School Road. After speeches and a ribbon cutting, the public is invited to join a non-motorized parade down the newly completed street. Afterwards, Prune Alley will officially be open to through traffic – just in time for Labor Day Weekend.    

In 1980, the inaugural Eastsound Planning Committee envisioned a consolidated commercial district in Eastsound to be bounded by Main Street, North Beach Road, and Prune Alley. After sidewalks were constructed on Main Street and North Beach Road in the 1990’s, the County began drafting plans to do the same with Prune Alley. After 40 years of planning, the transportation infrastructure for Eastsound’s commercial district is finally complete.  

In 2020, when the County Council resolutely committed to completing this project, they charged the Public Works department with creating an accessible and walkable village. Together with complete street amenities such as modest lighting, street trees, bricked intersections, and seat walls, they recognized it would naturally become the defining gateway through town.  

“The challenge for everyone involved, was how to check all these boxes without completely redefining the beloved character of Eastsound,” said Colin Huntemer, the County’s Public Works Director. “I am so grateful for all the partner organizations, committees, and businesses who assisted us throughout this endeavor.”  

“Thank you for your patience. It’s vitally important that our streets are accessible to all members of our community,” said Councilwoman Cindy Wolf. “I’m excited to see how these improvements will continue to make Eastsound a safe and welcoming place.”  

Of the $6 million in total project costs, approximately $4 million came from federal aid with local Real Estate Excise Taxes (REET) covering the remaining $2 million.   

San Juan County would like to recognize contractor Mike Carlson Enterprises and the project design team at KPG-Psomas for their hard work and dedication to making this project a success. Their professionalism was essential to navigating the numerous logistical challenges facing the construction industry.  

The County hopes to see community members on September 1 to share our collective appreciation for all the support and patience throughout these past six months. 

Contact:  Colin Huntemer, Public Works Director, colinh@sanjuanco.com, (360) 370-0514 

About San Juan County’s Public Works Department: San Juan County’s Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads, designs and constructs storm water facilities, and plans and contracts for solid waste services. The department offices are located at 915 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Public Works Department, visit www.sanjuanco.com/277/Public-Works.