Madrona
Showing up recently was the long-missing sidewalk plaque representing the historic site of the Carolyn Downs Clinic. That plaque was one element of the Madrona Community Council’s (MCC) Madrona Brass Rings project reflecting historic sites in the business district. In fact, 110 percent of the original plaque showed up because it now includes the concrete surround that originally set it into the sidewalk in front of the former Pritty Boys Pizza.
Council members, having followed the various threads to find the Carolyn Downs plaque after it disappeared during construction of the new sidewalk and having priced the plaque’s replacement, were delighted to learn that it has found its way home, thanks to intermediary Mike Walker of the Hi Spot.
Subsequent to the March MCC meeting, council members learned the plaque had been picked up by Ben Diaz, who will reinstall the plaque.
Also showing up at our March meeting was Anna Telensky, from Cascade Bicycle Club, bringing information about the April 3 inaugural Emerald City Bike Ride that will bring riders to the Madrona neighborhood. The ride begins and ends at Husky Stadium and includes pedaling on the newly completed state Route 520 bridge and the Interstate 5 express lanes — nice views and no cars on that portion of the route.
— Deirdre McCrary, recording secretary (reprinted with permission from Madrona News newsletter
Madison Park
One of the most popular mantras spoken by politicians anywhere in the world is, “Build more public infrastructure; it will create jobs and boost the economy.” If this is the case, then East-Central Seattle (which includes the Madison Park Community Council’s (MPCC) area) must, indeed, be booming like nowhere else.
On March 19, we were treated to a grand celebration by Sound Transit on our western border when the new light rail system was on full display at the openings of the new Capitol Hill and University of Washington Husky Stadium stations, with free rides on the system for all. For the couple-of-billion-dollar investment, we now have two new stations each just 2 miles away, versus previously, when we had three stations each just 3 miles away.
For another couple of billion dollars, we now have the replacement state Route 520 (Evergreen Point) floating bridge on MPCC’s northern border, with a very recent grand opening of the bridge, by the Washington State Department of Transportation on Saturday, April 2. For our money, in this case, we are about to get somewhat-more-difficult highway access, particularly eastbound to Bellevue.
Closer to home, it has been difficult to avoid Seattle Public Utilities’ work in the heart of Madison Park, as the agency has gone about replacing a considerable portion of our main water-supply lines. These old 8-inch-diameter iron pipes were very largely blocked by the build-up of millions of balls of iron pyrites about the size of baseballs.
If you live down toward the lake, you will almost certainly notice the increase in water-flow availability, especially at times of peak usage, such as early evening. This work has not cost billions, and the results will be really beneficial to us in the Park.
Meanwhile, and at much, much lower cost, the cleanup of the waterfront end of East Highland Drive is nearly complete — hence, encouraging MPCC to continue supporting the cleanup of other street ends, with our eyes currently on East Prospect Street.
Two other small construction projects are in our pipeline. The MPCC executive board has authorized a matching grant up to $1,000 to help McGilvra Elementary School purchase and install a shed to be used in conjunction with its gardening activities, and the MPCC board has committed up to $5,000 to purchase and install a community bulletin board to be placed at the south-westernmost point of the Bank of America property.
On the non-construction front, we are looking forward to our annual — and normally very well attended — spring tree walk in the Park. Please watch out for flyers to be posted very soon in the neighborhood businesses.
Finally, and maybe on the destruction front, we anticipate that something will have to happen soon with respect to the dilapidated commercial building in the Park. About one-fifth of the roof has now actually fallen in, and the east wall is in danger of imminent collapse. If the owner doesn’t instigate some major remedial work in the foreseeable future, it is likely that the city will demand remediation in the form of demolition.
MPCC is currently on the lookout for about a half-dozen new board members to take up office in June to replace those members whose terms are expiring. It would be particularly advantageous to have new board members representing the large condominium and apartment projects in the Park. Should you or any of your friends or associates be interested in serving a three-year term on the Board, please do not hesitate to contact us.
— Maurice Cooper, president