Bothell readies downtown bollards and signage for Fourth of July parade

City staff told the Bothell City Council on July 1 that bollard installation and related traffic controls for Main Street and Festival Street will be prepared in time for the city’s Fourth of July events and parade.

City Manager summarized the schedule for the downtown bollard project and told the council that concrete pours and bollard storage will be safe for foot traffic for the parade even if vehicle load‑bearing is delayed. Staff said steel plates and construction traffic control signs will be removed by July 3 so sidewalks and streets will be accessible for parade attendees; bollards themselves will be removable for vehicle access when needed.

Design and signage: Deputy Director of Public Works Steve Morikawa and staff described the bollard color and signage. To improve visibility and reduce vehicle strikes, the bollards will have a green and blue Northwest aesthetic with stripes and flip‑up signs positioned adjacent to bollards to restrict forward, left or right turns depending on direction and location. Morikawa said the stripes and varying shades were chosen so the bollards are visible to many visual processing types. Councilmembers asked whether signage will be permanent or only present when bollards are deployed; staff replied signage will be present where applicable and flip up/down in certain Festival Street locations.

Why it matters: Council and staff positioned the bollard deployment as an operational readiness step to make downtown safe and accessible for the parade and to facilitate a permanent, visible, low‑profile barrier system once installed. The city manager also thanked the many city employees assigned to event operations for the parade and related activities.

What the council asked: Deputy Mayor asked if the signs will be permanent or illuminated when the bollards are up; staff said signs will be posted as applicable and will vary by location. Council members also asked about timing; staff said motorists will see the construction signage removed and bollard work visibly progressing in the days before the parade.

Next steps: Staff will continue work to complete the bollard installations and will update the council if timelines change. No formal action was taken; the update was informational.