MADISON PARK
The western boundary of the Madison Park Community Council (MPCC) is Lake Washington Boulevard, which, of course, runs up through the center of the Washington Park Arboretum. So we concern ourselves with physical things and issues to the east of that line.
On April 23, folks in East-Central Seattle were invited to an open house to celebrate the start of construction of the new 1.2-mile Arboretum Loop Trail, which will run just to the east of Lake Washington Boulevard, in MPCC’s territory. Many moons ago, we reviewed the preliminary plans for the trail, walked the route and offered our detailed comments to Seattle Parks and Recreation. While some little details of our comments seem to have been incorporated into the final plan, specifically where the trail ends by the Shell gas station, more general comments, concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety, were not considered.
For many decades, cyclists wanting to travel through the arboretum have ridden on the main road. The upper road has never been a real option because of overly steep grades. Originally, the route was well used and relatively safe. Then the city put in concrete curbs on each side, which made the roadway effectively narrower, plus bicycle pedals could easily catch on the curb if one got too close.
MPCC then campaigned for a separate bicycle trail through the Park. We had hopes that the $7.8 million Loop Trail — the money coming as mitigation for the state Route 520 bridge project — would provide such a trail, with attendant safety for cyclists.
Unfortunately, this is not to be: Grades on the new trail will, just like the steep sections on the upper roadway, discourage significant bicycle use. When the project manager was asked, at the open house, what those grades would be, he replied 6, 8 or 10 percent. A review of the construction documents didn’t yield any definitive answer, either, but there will obviously be steep sections.
The Loop trail is designated as a “multi-use trail” but is, in effect, just a new pedestrian path.
On MPCC’s north boundary, we now have the new viaduct-on-the-lake heading toward completion. On April 25, the new eastbound lanes opened to traffic, following the opening of the westbound lanes a couple of weeks earlier.
Two new issues have now stirred up the communities surrounding the bridge: the “sentinels” with blue and orange lights on the lake at night, and the loud thumping noise from the traffic passing over the dozens of expansion joints — neither of which existed with the old bridge.
Fortunately for MPCC, the Laurelhurst Community Council has taken up these issues with vigor, as has the mayor of Medina. MPCC will work closely with them as we negotiate some resolution with the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Sometimes, developments just outside our boundaries can have the potential to significantly affect us. Such may be the case with the closure of the City People’s Garden Store in Madison Valley. Redevelopment of that property is likely to produce a major building, both in height and bulk. The project is also likely to include a large PCC grocery store. MPCC expects to work closely with the Madison Valley Community Council (MVCC) on common issues surrounding the redevelopment. The developer has already reached out to MPCC and MVCC, so we are optimistic that many joint concerns will be properly addressed.
MPCC’s annual general meeting is fast approaching; it is now scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 15. We have traditionally arranged for a speaker to enliven the event; this year, we are pleased that Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole has accepted our invitation. Please put this evening on your calendar.
— Maurice Cooper, president