Leschi
Why would Seattle want density?
Speakers will present a historical primer on urban development and how current plans, such as the 23rd Avenue Action Plan and HALA (Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda), affect our neighborhoods at the next Leschi Community Council meeting.
It will take place Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave. S.), starting at 7 p.m.
— Diane Snell, co-president
Madison Park
By the time that you read this, the local election results for the City of Seattle should have been certified. The two most interesting results for the Madison Park Community Council (MPCC) are the City Council race for the newly created District 3 and the Move Seattle transportation levy.
Strangely, however, and in spite of the possibility of adding nearly a billion dollars of debt to the property tax rolls, the levy’s success or failure won’t make much difference to Seattle’s traffic congestion. The city has been busily eliminating many of the arterial streets by converting four-lane roads to two, and this will undoubtedly continue. There will continue to be improvements for bicycles, but this is, in the best of scenarios, only likely to increase the number of riders from 3 percent to 5 percent. The local weather and steep hills don’t help, plus an individual needs to be mentally and physically up to the challenge.
There will be some further synchronization of traffic signals, but unless the city gets lost in computer cost over-charges, this won’t cost much.
Locally, down in Madison Park, we have, so far at least, managed to push back against the city’s general plan of widening traffic lanes and taking out parking. MPCC’s policy has been the opposite: We have always tried to keep lane widths modest, to slow traffic and to add to the parking supply if and when possible.
On the local transportation scene, we have all noticed the ever-expanding swath of concrete as the state Route 520 freeway construction continues. When completed, access to and from Bellevue will be improved once one is actually on the freeway. However, and as has been pointed out in this column before, getting on the freeway from Madison Park is likely to become a major challenge, unless the SR 520 design plans are improved, especially with regard to eastbound SR 520 access. The traffic backup to get on the freeway is certain to make it relatively impossible for us to reach the University of Washington, the University Village shopping center and other points north.
MPCC has been doing its part to try to get a new, direct eastbound freeway ramp and has had minor success in getting legislation changed to allow for some funds to be used for this. Without a strong push from individuals in our community, nothing is likely to happen within the Washington State Department of Transportation bureaucracy. Everyone will scream very loudly, however, when the existing eastbound ramp in the Washington Park Arboretum is removed.
MPCC, therefore, urges you, individually, to contact your state Legislators, especially those in the 43rd District where we live: Frank Chopp and Brady Walkinshaw in the House (Chopp is speaker and, thus, has the most power), and Jamie Pedersen in the Senate.
We are continuing to make progress with the establishment of an emergency preparedness plan and HUB in the Park and have just purchased supplies for the to-be-installed heavy-duty steel lockbox. Congratulations to Carol Loe in passing the incident commander’s test in this regard, following a two-day course put on by Seattle City Light.
The series of talks we have enjoyed at Park Shore have not terminated; the next is set for Jan. 11. This one will be from a Northwest Immigration Rights representative — a timely topic given the massive immigrant waves overwhelming Europe and the tentative steps now being taken in the United States to accommodate some of the migrants, especially from the Middle East, who will eventually reach our shores.
The Metropolitan King County Council has not yet acted upon the change to the No. 11 bus routing, but the various recommendations are now before it. Stay tuned!
In conjunction with the city, MPCC continues to work on getting the dilapidated Madison Park business district storefront cleaned up. This matter is slowly coming to a head, so some action or at least a consent decree should be forthcoming next year.
Meanwhile, and if you haven’t already, pencil in the annual Christmas Ships event on the Madison Park beach on Dec. 20. The boats arrive at 4:40 p.m. so we suggest coming down before 4 p.m. to listen to the band and have some cookies, hot chocolate or cider.
— Maurice Cooper, president
Madrona
The Central District Association, a group of business owners in the Central Area, brought a letter to the Madrona Community Council (MCC) to Maria Koengeter with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The letter expressed surprise that SDOT is considering placing protected bicycle lanes along East Union Street.
The council agreed to address their concerns to Koengeter, especially since those most likely to be affected by changes to Union Street have not had input.
To her credit, Koengeter immediately responded to the MCC letter, writing in part, “As we have moved through this process, and I and the project team have come to realize that a protected bike lane on Union [Street] triggers a number of potentially significant changes to the corridor, including impacts to parking, vehicle operations and transit stops… I agree that a more thorough design process, including more community engagement, is needed.”
Provide your input by writing Maria Koengeter, Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Ave., Suite 3800, Seattle, WA 98124, or via email to Maria.Koengeter@seattle.gov.
The MCC’s annual wine-tasting fundraiser will take place Nov. 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the St. Therese social hall (936 35th Ave.). As in previous years, the Leschi Market will invite winemakers to provide tastings, and those attending can submit orders to purchase the wines they enjoy. Aegis Living will cater the event. (Pre-sale tickets are available at mccwinetasting.brownpapertickets.com.)
The MCC agreed to request a preliminary SDOT study of traffic along 34th Avenue, where many have observed speeding automobiles.
Council members also reviewed existing and new business, heard a financial report and heard from the owner of a new Madrona business.
Elections for MCC officers were to take place at the Nov. 3 MCC meeting at 7:15 p.m. at the Madrona Shelterhouse (East Spring Street and 34th Avenue).
— Republished with permission from the Madrona News newsletter